Tampabay downs media guide 16-0273-JK2

Stakes Histories
HOW DOES TAMPA BAY DOWNS NAME ITS STAKES?
The Naming of Tampa Bay Downs Stakes
The names of some stakes races at Tampa Bay Downs have obvious origins: the
(Lambholm South) Tampa Bay Derby, the Florida Cup Races, and so forth. The
Florida Oaks is named as such simply because races for 3-year-old fillies run at
classic distances are all referred to as “Oaks;” the male divisions run under the
much more widely-recognized “Derby” headings. The Florida Cup is comprised
of six races restricted to Florida-breds. The Turf Dash earned its name from the
fact that it is a short race run on the lawn. However, some of the stakes races run
at Tampa Bay Downs leave patrons scratching their heads and wondering, “Now,
where did that name come from?” The explanations are quite simple…
Local Color
The Pelican Stakes and Sandpiper Stakes are both named after animals common
to the Tampa Bay area; the Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Stakes are named
for the counties surrounding Tampa Bay Downs. The Lightning City Stakes
is named after the widespread, albeit unproven, idea that Tampa Bay is the
lightning capital of the world. The Suncoast Stakes is named for the region of
Florida in which Tampa Bay Downs is located; with year-round sunny weather,
horsemen are happy to return to Tampa each winter for Thoroughbred racing.
The Minaret Stakes gets its name from the spires found at the University of
Tampa.
Space Race
The Challenger and Endeavour Stakes are named after space shuttles that have
launched in previous years.
Friends from the Past
The Chris Thomas Turf Classic, which was discontinued after the 2009 running,
was named for the late sports-talk radio host and Thoroughbred owner who
used to frequent the Oldsmar oval. The Sam F. Davis Stakes was named after
the former Tampa Bay Downs President who helped the track regain financial
stability and brought in a period of growth for the track.
Florida Fun
The Gasparilla Stakes is named for Tampa’s annual Gasparilla Fest, which
celebrates the spirit of legendary pirate Jose Gaspar. It is rumored that Gaspar
defected from the Spanish Navy in 1873. Gaspar took the pirate name
“Gasparilla” and set up his den off of Florida’s west coast, allegedly plundering
vessels in the Gulf of Mexico for 38 years.*
Lovely Lass
The Wayward Lass Stakes is the only stakes race at Tampa Bay Downs named
after a horse. Wayward Lass, who was the 1981 Eclipse Award-winning 3-yearold
filly, was bred in Florida by Hall of Fame trainer Horatio Luro, but she never
raced at Tampa Bay Downs.
* THE LEGEND OF GASPARILLA: MYTH AND HISTORY ON FLORIDA’S WEST COAST by André-Marcel
d’Ans Translated by Marie-Joèle Ingalls
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