The Derby card will include the $150,000 Florida Oaks, a grade III event for 3-year-old fillies, and the $100,000 Hillsborough Stakes for fillies and mares on the turf.
A field of 10 is expected for the $200,000 Tampa Bay Derby, a grade III event for 3-year-olds set for March 17. Several horses are expected to ship across the state from Gulfstream Park on Florida's eastern coast.Tampa Bay Downs officials said the local favorite will be Bunk N Ted, winner of the track's Sam F. Davis stakes. Tails of the Crypt, second in the Sam F. Davis, is expected for the Derby, a 1 1/16-mile event on the dirt.The locals could be joined by Showmeitall, who won the grade II Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream this winter; Equality, a 16-length winner of an allowance event at Gulfstream; and Political Attack, who took the grade III Tropical Park Derby at Calder Race Course in January.