Barn Notes

By Mike Henry —- (PHOTOS OF GERALD BENNETT AND PABLO MORALES) OLDSMAR, FL. – Trainer Gerald Bennett unveiled two candidates for the $125,000 Pelican Stakes on Feb. 7 in Friday’s eighth race, a strong $56,500 allowance/optional claiming sprint on the main track. El...

By Mike Henry —- DEC. 6 INAUGURAL, SANDPIPER STAKES DRAW NOMS FROM TOP BARNS OLDSMAR, FL. – The 2025-26 Tampa Bay Downs stakes schedule kicks off Saturday, Dec. 6 with the 40th running of the $125,000 Inaugural Stakes for 2-year-olds and the 48th edition of the $125,000...

Racing Updates Compiled by Robert Yates Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025 High-percentage trainer Armando Hernandez returns to Oaklawn in 2025-2026 with a bigger stable and bigger aspirations. The Illinois-based Hernandez had a string at Oaklawn for the first time in 2024-2025, finishing...

By Kevin Kilroy —- Top Earner Bear River Leads Classy, Competitive Edition of Thanksgiving Classic NEW ORLEANS (Nov. 24, 2025) – The table is set for nine older male sprinters in Thursday’s $175,000 Thanksgiving Classic at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, where the...

By Mike Henry —- OLDSMAR, FL. – Based on the first two days of the 2025-26 Tampa Bay Downs meet, Samuel Marin isn’t going to have a whole lot of spare time this season between races. Last season’s leading jockey, who won two races from eight mounts on Wednesday’s Opening...

By Mike Henry —- OPENING DAY REVIEWS PROMISE PLENTY OF EXCITEMENT, FUN AHEAD OLDSMAR, FL. – For many of the track’s employees, horsewomen, horsemen and jockeys, Wednesday’s Opening Day performance at Tampa Bay Downs produced the type of jitters normally associated with a...