Tampa Bay Downs
Aerial view of Tampa Bay Downs from the east.
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| Location | Oldsmar, Florida |
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| Coordinates | 28°02′54″N 82°38′44″W / 28.04833°N 82.64556°WCoordinates: 28°02′54″N 82°38′44″W / 28.04833°N 82.64556°W |
| Owned by | Stella F. Thayer |
| Date opened | 1926 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred |
| Official website | |
Tampa Bay Downs is an American Thoroughbred horse racing facility located in Westchase in Hillsborough County in the U.S. state of Florida, just outside Tampa. It opened in 1926 under the name Tampa Downs. The first of many names, the racetrack was well known as Sunshine Park and Florida Downs and Turf Club.
The track races most Wednesdays, Fridays, and weekends from the end of November to the beginning of May.
The main track is a one-mile (1.6 km) dirt oval. The turf course is seven furlongs and includes a quarter-mile inner chute. Tampa Bay Downs, which has long been famous as the only Thoroughbred race track on the west coast of Florida, provides Tampa Bay area sports fans with live racing action, simulcasting, poker action in The Silks Poker Room and golf fun and instruction at The Downs Golf Practice Facility.
Tampa Bay Downs first opened its doors in 1926 under the name of the West Coast Jockey Club and has since amassed a long and colorful history. The founding operation was headed by Ohio investor Harvey Myers and Kentucky Colonel Matt J. Winn.
In 1943, the United States Army took over the track for use as a training facility.
In 1946 the track was renamed Sunshine Park and entered the modern era with the installation of an electric starting gate, photo finish and electric tote board.
During the 1950s, the racecourse was a popular attraction with many sportswriters who came to the Tampa Bay area to cover baseball spring training. Legendary names like Grantland Rice, Red Smith, Fred Russell and Arthur Daley became regular visitors, calling the track the “Santa Anita of the South.”
The year 1965 marked the third name change for the track when it became Florida Downs and Turf Club. The track was renamed Tampa Bay Downs in 1980.
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Wikipedia