2025 Tampa Bay Derby: Race Preview, Contenders, and Odds
The Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby is set to take place on Saturday, March 8 at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Florida. This flagship race features a 1 1/16-mile dirt track with a $400,000 purse and offers 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top five finishers. The winner of this race virtually guarantees themselves a ticket to the Kentucky Derby, making it a highly anticipated event for horse racing enthusiasts.
The favorite for this year’s Tampa Bay Derby is expected to be multiple Grade 1 winner Chancer McPatrick, who will be making his first start since the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Another strong contender is Patch Adams, who broke his maiden impressively at Churchill Downs but was beaten in the Southwest (G3) as the favorite.
Over the years, several Tampa Bay Derby winners have gone on to have successful runs during the triple crown season. Notable winners include Street Sense, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2007, and Super Saver, who also won the Kentucky Derby in 2010.
The Tampa Bay Derby is the second and final points race of the Tampa Bay Downs meet, following the Sam F. Davis on February 8. While winner John Hancock will not be returning to defend his title, second-place Owen Almighty and sixth-place Naughty Rascal will be back for another shot at the Derby trail.
The race will feature seven contenders, each coming from different prep races and backgrounds. The field includes Owen Almighty, Chancer McPatrick, Hill Road, Brodeur, Filoso, Naughty Rascal, and Patch Adams. Each horse brings its own strengths and challenges to the race, making for an exciting and competitive event.
In addition to the Tampa Bay Derby, the race card for the day includes four other stakes races, three of which are graded. The Tampa Bay Derby is the 11th race of the day, with post time scheduled for 5:34 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Fans can watch the race live on FanDuel TV and place their bets through FanDuel Racing. With a competitive field and high stakes on the line, the Tampa Bay Derby promises to be a thrilling event for both fans and bettors alike.