Tampa Bay Downs will run two new $125,000 stakes races for Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association Florida Sire Stakes eligible 3-year-olds, marking the first ever FSS races contested over the Oldsmar oval, the FTBOA announced Tuesday. The FTBOA City of Ocala S. for fillies and FTBOA Marion County S. for colts and geldings will be run at seven furlongs on dirt Dec. 16.
“The FTBOA is an ongoing and vocal advocate for growing purses and stakes races at our two highly regarded thoroughbred tracks,” said FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell. “The way we can best further that goal, while also promoting breeding and owning of Florida-breds, is by continuing to grow our highly successful Florida Sire Stakes.”
Tampa Bay Downs Vice President and General Manager Peter Berube added, “The Florida Sire Stakes program is a welcome addition to our stakes schedule and we are grateful to the FTBOA and our local HBPA for helping to bring these races to Tampa Bay Downs. By running the FSS races on our Cotillion Festival Day, which will include both the Inaugural S. and Sandpiper S. for 2-year-olds, we believe we can provide maximum exposure for many of the leading Florida-sired horses in training and make more people aware of the benefits of breeding in Florida and racing at Tampa Bay Downs.”
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