Happy Saturday & National Peanut Cluster Day! 🥜
Today, we head to Western Florida for a significant day of horse racing at Tampa Bay Downs, which is one of the biggest events of the meet. Many in the horse racing world will focus their attention on these races. With only two prep races left that offer a maximum of 50 points and only two months until the Kentucky Derby, horses will be making their case for a chance to win the prestigious "Run for the Roses."
The card features 12 races, including five graded stakes races and one Derby prep. The highlight of the day is the 11th race, the Tampa Bay Derby, which will award points in the following manner: 50-25-15-10-5 to the top finishers. This is a Grade 3 route on dirt, covering a distance of 8.5 furlongs, and is exclusively for three-year-olds.
Our team of analysts has provided their picks for the race, and there is no consensus on who will win. Finky continues to support his analysis of this year's three-year-olds on the Derby trail, believing that Chad Brown-trained Chancer McPatrick will be tied for second on the leaderboard once the race concludes. Meanwhile, Bill and Mr. W think that Patch Adams is being overlooked after failing to place in the Southwest Stakes, another Derby prep race held back in January. If they are correct, this could elevate Brad Cox-trained Patch Adams to fourth place on the leaderboard.
Below, we have the leaderboard listed so you can see where your picks will stand if they win today. The weather looks delightful, with highs in the mid-70s and mostly sunny skies. This means the track will be fast and the turf firm throughout the day, so we anticipate limited scratches and a full turf card.
Some fun "This Day in Sports History" facts: ⚾️🏸🥊🏈
1930: Baseball slugger Babe Ruth signs a 2-year contract for a then massive $160,000 with NY Yankees; GM Ed Barrow wrongly predicts "No one will ever be paid more than Ruth."
1936: The first stock car race is held in Daytona Beach, Florida.
1941: 1st baseball player drafted into WW II (Hugh Mulcahy, Phillies)
1971: Joe Frazier ends Muhammad Ali's 31-fight winning streak at Madison Square Garden, NYC; retains heavyweight boxing title by unanimous points decision over 15 rounds in the "Fight of the Century"
1986: Martina Navratilova is 1st tennis player to earn $10 million
Need help pickin' winners? We've got you covered! Our Lundin Line's - (Always Free) top picks and best bets are below in this post. Use them to help narrow the field while putting your tickets together. The first post will be here soon, so don't be late -
It's time to get #InTheMoney! 💰💰💰
Tampa Bay Downs 🏇🏾 // Sat., Mar. 8th, 2025
1st Post @ 12:05 (ET) / 9:05 (PT)
R1: 12-9-3-10
R2: 8-6-2-9
R3: 6-9-5-8
R4: 4-3-2-7
R5Ⓢ: 8-6-7-5
R6: 2⭑-10-1-12
R7Ⓢ: 6-9-8-1
R8: 12-7-6-1
R9Ⓢ: 8-6-4-2
R10Ⓢ: 9⭑-10-11-2
🏇🏻R11Ⓢ/DP: 7-2-1-4
Mr. Fink: 2-7-3-4
Mr. W: 7-4-1-2
Bill: 7-2-1-3
R12: 8-12-14-1
⭑Best Bet(s)
R6: Moment's Notice (#2)
R10: Nitrogen (#9)
Ⓢtakes Races
R5: 125K Michelob Ultra Challenger S. (G3)
1 1/16 Miles on Dirt for 4 Yr. Olds & Up
R7: 125K Columbia S.
1 Mile on Turf for 3 Yr. Olds
R9: 225K Hillsborough S. (G2)
1 1/8 Miles on Turf for Fillies/Mares 4 Yrs. Old & Up
R10: 200K Florida Oaks (G3)
1 1/16 Miles on Turf for Fillies, 3 Yrs. Old
🏇R11: 400K Lambholm S. Tampa Bay Derby (G3)/DP
1 1/16 Miles on Dirt for 3 Yr. Olds
KY Derby Prep: Pts = 50-25-15-10-5
🏇 = Featured Race(s)
Tampa Bay Downs, located in Oldsmar, Florida, is one of the oldest thoroughbred racetracks in the United States, opening in 1926 as Tampa Downs. Over the years, the track has become prominent, attracting top horses, trainers, and jockeys. It is known for its winter racing season, drawing competitors from nationwide seeking warm-weather competition. The track features a one-mile dirt oval and a seven-furlong turf course.
From our friends at https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/
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-TSL
/ As always, please forgive any typos and grammatical errors
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