EDITED TAMPA BAY DOWNS PRESS RELEASE
Tampa Bay Downs reported that their January 11 card produced a total wagering handle of $8,279,255 for the 10 races, the highest of the meet. The previous high was Dec. 24, when a nine-race card generated $6,054,252 in betting handle.
Numerous factors contributed to the handle, which included $7,684,000 in interstate simulcast wagering. In addition to the Pasco Stakes, the card included the $150,000 Gasparilla and the $100,000 Wayward Lass. The seven non-stakes races offered total purse money of $310,500, attracting 65 entrants.
The races were televised on the Fox Sports 1 network. The track noted several tracks across the country that day were closed due to weather events that played a factor and benefitted the strong card.
Festival Preview Day is on Feb. 8 and with the track averaging a steady field size of 8.4 horses a race, its anticipated the momentum will continue for the second half of the meet.
Thoroughbred racing continues with racing each Wednesday, and Friday through Sunday, Tampa Bay Downs is open every day for simulcast wagering.