I just returned from Tampa Bay Downs racetrack and the 31st running of the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Stakes. If you have never visited Tampa Bay Downs, it is a small facility with the feel of a country fair. Most of the people in attendance were outside enjoying the races in the Florida sunshine. Tampa Bay Downs slogan “Live it up at the Downs” seems apropos!
As we walked into the Clubhouse Dining Room the staff greeted us enthusiastically and were anxious to talk about our horse (Catapult) who was entered in The Tampa Bay Stakes. The Tampa Bay Stakes was one of four stakes races to be run on a big day of racing. The other stakes included the Suncoast Stakes for 3 year old fillies which is a prep for the Kentucky Oaks, the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes for 3 year old colts which is a prep for the Kentucky Derby and the Grade 3 Endeavor Stakes.
As we waited in the paddock and walking ring area for Catapult to arrive, you couldn’t help but be impressed with the size of the crowd. As I have said many times, people will come out to the races to see good racing.
Before Catapult was saddled we had a chance to talk with our trainer (Chad Brown) and jockey (Jose Ortiz) about strategy for the race. The plan was to be forwardly placed in the race which is where Catapult tends to do his best racing. As the starting gate opened, Catapult hesitated which caused Jose Ortiz to have to rush him along to get in the position we desired. Unfortunately he raced three wide into the first turn and down the backstretch which was not ideal. As the horses entered the stretch we still had a chance to win but were not the best horse on this day. The Tampa Bay Stakes was Catapult’s first race of 2017 and while he was competitive, he finished fourth.
Before leaving Tampa Bay Downs we watched the Sam F. Davis Stakes where the winner, McCraken, broke the track record for 1 1/16 miles. McCraken is now 4 for 4 with his first three wins all occurring at Churchill Downs, the site of the Kentucky Derby. We quite possibly saw one of the likely favorites for the 2017 Kentucky Derby.
Win or lose, you can’t help but have a great time “living it up at the Downs”!