Tampa Bay Stakes
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Oldsmar, Florida
| Class | Grade III |
|---|---|
| Location | Tampa Bay Downs Oldsmar, Florida |
| Inaugurated | 1985 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄16 miles |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Four-year-olds and older |
| Weight | 123 lbs with allowances |
| Purse | $175,000 (since 2018) |
The Tampa Bay Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for horses four years old or older, run over a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles on the turf held annually in early February at Tampa Bay Downs, Oldsmar, Florida. The event currently carries a purse of $175,000.
The race was inaugurated in 9 April 1985 and was run on the dirt track over a distance of 6 furlongs.[1] The following year the race was not held.[2]
In 1987 the event received sponsorship from the Breeders' Cup and Budweiser and was renewed at a new distance of 1+1⁄16 miles on the dirt track.[3] Budweiser terminated its sponsorship in 1996 and this affected the stakes of the event. The Breeders' Cup also removed their sponsorship but much later in 2006.[4]
The first running of the event on the turf was in 1999.[4]
In 2011 the event was upgraded to a Grade III event.[4]
The 2018 winner of the event, US Champion Male Turf Horse World Approval of 2017 resumed after winning the 2017 Breeders' Cup Mile starting as the overwhelming 1/5on favorite.[5]
Records
Speed record:
- 1+1⁄16 miles – 1:38.83 Running Bee (2025)
Margins:
- 5+3⁄4 lengths – Delay of Game (2000)
Most wins:
- 2 – Gallant Mel (1989, 1991)
- 2 – Lord John (1992, 1993)
- 2 – Delay of Game (2000, 2001)
- 2 – Burning Roma (2003, 2004)
- 2 – Inspector Lynley (2017, 2019)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 3 – Ricardo D. Lopez (1989, 1990, 1991)
- 3 – William T. Henry (1993, 1995, 1999)
Most wins by a trainer:
- 4 – Claude R. McGaughey III (2016, 2017, 2019, 2024)
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 – D. Edwards & M. W. Mitchell (1989, 1991)
- 2 – John E. Callaway (1992, 1993)
- 2 – John H. Peace (2000, 2001)
- 2 – Harold L. Queen (2003, 2004)
- 2 – Stuart S. Janney III & Phipps Stable (2017, 2019)
- 2 – WinStar Farm (2011, 2023)