OLDSMAR - The Florida Cup, a series of six $110,000 stakes races for registered Florida-breds and the annual showcase for Tampa Bay Downs' state thoroughbred breeding and racing industries, has been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

    The event had been scheduled for Sunday, March 29. The Tampa Bay Downs Racing Office had reported 111 nominations by the March 14 deadline.

    Peter Berube, the track’s Vice President-General Manager, said a portion of the $660,000 in Florida Cup purse money will be allocated to the track’s overnight purse account, enabling Tampa Bay Downs to continue its 2019-2020 meeting beyond next week, as circumstances allow.

    Tampa Bay Downs began racing without fans Wednesday as public-health officials urge citizens to adhere to social distancing to slow the spread of the virus.

    “It’s a huge blow to everyone to have to cancel one of the biggest days on our racing calendar,” said Berube. “At the same time, we are committed to keeping the track free of spectators at least through that date, and the social aspect of Florida Cup Day, which includes a buffet luncheon for horsemen and their families under the Picnic Pavilion Tent, has always been an important part of the day.

    “We are dedicated to helping ensure to the best of our ability the health and well-being of everyone associated with Tampa Bay Downs, and the logistics of putting on a multi-stakes event in the midst of a national health crisis made this the only decision possible,” Berube said. “The silver lining is this gives us an opportunity to help our horsemen continue racing. We will work closely with them, the breeders and owners and our stakes sponsors to make the 2021 Florida Cup memorable and exciting for all.”

The canceled races include:

·         The $110,000 DRF Bets Sprint, for 4-year-olds-and-upward going 6 furlongs on the main track.

·         The $110,000 Pleasant Acres Stallions Distaff Turf, for fillies and mares 3-years-old-and-upward going 1 1/16-mile on the turf.

·         The $110,000 Equistaff Sophomore Turf, for 3-year-olds going 1 1/16-mile on the turf.

·         The $110,000 Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies, for 3-year-old fillies going 7 furlongs on the main track.

·         The $110,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sophomore, for 3-year-olds going 7 furlongs on the main track.

·         The $110,000 Touch Vodka Turf Classic, for 4-year-olds and upward going 1 1/8-miles on the turf.

    The Florida Cup, which was first run in 2003, is the brainchild of track President-Treasurer Stella F. Thayer and Margo Flynn, the track’s Vice President of Marketing & Publicity. After witnessing a similar event the previous summer at Delaware Park featuring enhanced purses and a horsemen’s luncheon, Flynn contacted representatives from the Tampa Bay Downs horsemen’s group, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association and some of the state’s leading breeders, and their overwhelming levels of interest and support led to the event’s creation with six $75,000 stakes – three each on the main track and the turf course.

    Some of the top horses to shine on Florida Cup Day include two-time winner World Approval, who kicked off his 2017 Eclipse Award Champion Turf Male campaign with a victory in the Turf Classic; another two-time winner, crack sprinter Imperial Hint, who boasts four Gr. I victories and career earnings exceeding $2.2-million; It’s Me Mom, who defeated males as a 4-year-old filly in the 2012 Sprint while setting the still-standing 6-furlong track record of 1:08.67; and the popular Hooh Why, a Gr. I winner and career millionaire who won back-to-back editions of the Distaff Turf in 2012 and 2013.

AROUND THE OVAL - Jockey Pablo Morales, who won Friday's second race aboard 4-year-old filly Dreaming Diamonds in his first ride since injuring his foot in a starting-gate mishap during training hours, reported via his Twitter account that a subsequent X-ray revealed a break and he will be out “for a little while.” The victory was No. 1,996 in his career.

    Tampa Bay Downs will continue racing without spectators for the foreseeable future. A pair of eight-race cards have been scheduled for this weekend, with today’s action starting at 12:35 p.m. and Sunday’s racing starting at 12:25 p.m.


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