The biggest racing day in Tampa Bay’s calendar is Saturday, March 13th, 2010 when the 30th renewal of the Grade III $300,000 Tampa Bay Derby, the Grade III $175,000 Florida Oaks, the Grade III $150,000 Hillsborough Stakes and the $75,000 Turf Dash will be contested. Well over $700,000 in prize money is up for grabs and some of horse racing’s best will be battling out all the races to the wire.
Directions
From I-275:
• Take Tampa Airport exit. Follow signs to Veterans Expressway. Take Expressway to exit # 4 (Hillsborough Ave). Turn West on Hillsborough Ave. Approximately 10 miles to Race Track Road. Make right on Race Track Road 1 mile to Tampa Bay Downs. Please use the MAIN Parking Lot on the right side of Racetrack Rd.
From Pinellas County:
• On Route 19, go to the intersection with Route 580 at Countryside Mall; go east on Route 580 six miles to stoplight at Race Track Road; go left on Race Track Road one mile to Tampa Bay Downs. Please use the MAIN Parking Lot on the right side of Racetrack Rd.
From St. Petersburg:
• Take the Bayside Bridge north to McMullen Booth Road; go east on Route 580 four miles to stoplight at Race Track Road; go left on Race Track Road one mile to Tampa Bay Downs. Please use the MAIN Parking Lot on the right side of Racetrack Rd.
From Pasco County:
• On Route 19, go to the intersection with Tampa Road (Route 584); go east on Tampa Road seven miles to the stoplight at Race Track Road; go left on Race Track Road one mile to Tampa Bay Downs. Please use the MAIN Parking Lot on the right side of Racetrack Rd.
From New Tampa:
• Go west on Bearrs Avenue. Bearrs Avenue turns into Ehrlich Road after Dale Mabry Highway. Make a left onto Gunn Highway (going southbound); then right onto Linebaugh Avenue. Travel west on Linebaugh for approximately 9 miles; then make a left onto Race Track Road. Please use the WEST Parking Lot on the right side of Racetrack Rd.
Parking
• Parking gates open at 9:00 A.M.
• General parking is FREE!
• Valet parking $5
Admission
• Grandstand Admission $2
• Clubhouse Admission $3
• Gates open at 10:30 A.M.
• No infield access permitted
Racing Information
• There will be 13 races on Festival Day
• First race post time is approximately 12:15
• Last race post time is approximately 6:30 PM
Tampa Bay Downs Policies
• In accordance with Florida’s Clean Indoor Air Act smoking is not permitted in the building or in any enclosed seating or dining areas. Smoking is permitted in all outdoor areas.
• Personal food and beverages are not allowed in the facility with the exception of the Backyard Picnic Area
• Coolers are restricted to the Tampa Bay Downs Backyard Picnic Area and are subject to search
Cooler Dos and Don’ts at Tampa Bay Downs:
Coolers are allowed in the Backyard ONLY, located north of the Grandstand
NO Glass containers are permitted
NO outside food or beverages may be brought into the Tampa Bay Downs facility
• No glass containers are permitted in the facility unless acquired from a Tampa Bay Downs concessions vendor.
• No open flames (grills, fires, Bar-B-Ques, et c.) are permitted anywhere
• No canopies or tents are permitted anywhere
• No tailgating
Hotel Information
Hilton Garden Inn
Holiday Inn Express
ATMs
There are ATMs located on the first and second floors of the Grandstand as well as in the Silks Poker Room. There is also an ATM located on the first floor of the Clubhouse.
Please call 813.855.4401 with any further questions, or click HERE to reach Tampa Bay Downs via e-mail!