Tampa Bay: Gallardo One Win Short of 2,000; Tickets Available for Saturday Stakes Day

 

HRFLA Staff Report

Antonio Gallardo has ridden 1,999 winners in North America, and on Wednesday at Tampa Bay Downs he will have eight chances to notch a milestone 2,000th victory.

Gallardo rode two winners at Tampa Bay Downs on Sunday.

The Oldsmar, Fla., track was dark on Monday and will be dark on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, first post will be 12:32 p.m. for a nine-race card.

The first race is a $5.000 claimer at 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt for fillies and  mares 4-YO and up. There are six entrants. 

Gallardo is scheduled to ride Say Adios, who is trained by Bob Hess Jr.

Gallardo also is scheduled to  ride in all of Wednesday's Tampa races but the fifth. 

On Sunday, he rode two Tampa Bay winners: sixth race--Golden Plume at 3-5 for trainer Chad Brown; seventh race: Mozano at even-money for trainer J. Kent Sweezey.

Gallardo, 33-year-old native of Spain, began riding in North America in 2008.

He has has led Tampa Bay jockeys in wins five times, including the 2019-2020 meet.

Wednesday will be the 39th day of Tampa Bay's 2020-2021 meet.

Going into Wednesday, Samy Camacho leads in jockey wins with 46.  Gallardo is second with 44 victories.

Daniel Centeno, who has led Tampa Bay jockeys in wins six times, and Hector Diaz Jr. each  have 28 wins and are tied for third place.

Diaz rode three winners on Sunday: Fourth race--Will Take Roses, at 7-2 for trainer Victor Carrasco, Jr.; Fifth race--  Seclude, at 19-1 for trainer by Roy Lerman; Ninth race-- Sugar Britches, at 11-1 for trainer Peter Wasiluk Jr.

Festival Preview Tickets

Tampa Bay Downs will have four stakes races on Saturday Feb. 6, its annual Festival Preview day:  The stakes races are:

*$250,000 Sam F. Davis (Grade 3), 1 1/16 miles dirt, 3-YOs
* $175,000 Endeavour (Grade 3), 1 1/16 miles turf,  fillies and mares 4-YO and up

*$175,000 Tampa Bay Stakes (Grade 3), 1 1/16 miles turf,  4-YO and up

*$150,000 Suncoast Stakes, 3-year-old fillies, a mile-and-40-yards on dirt

The Sam F. Davis is a  first round points qualifying race for the Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) which will be run on May 1 at Churchill Downs in Lousiville, Ky.  Saturday's first four finishers will receive 10, 4, 2 and 1 qualifying points, respectively.

The Suncoast is a first-round points qualifying race for the Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1) which will be run on April 30 at Churchill Downs. Saturday's first four finishers will receive 10, 4, 2 and 1 qualifying  points, respectively.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Tampa Bay Downs is limiting general-admission attendance for the Feb. 6 card to 2,500 spectators. Tickets, which are $10 each plus a service fee, are being sold online through this link Festival Preview Day 41 Presented by Lambholm South Tickets, Sat, Feb 6, 2021 at 11:00 AM | Eventbrite

Tickets also are available at the program stands.

Horsemen, box-seat holders and season-ticket holders do not need to purchase tickets, but must present their passes at the gate to gain admittance.

Seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis unless patrons have prior arrangements in the Skye Terrace Dining Room, Sports Gallery, Clubhouse Carrels or Legends Bar, but the purchase of a general-admission ticket is still required to gain admittance.

The track is also selling a limited number of tables in the Backyard Picnic Area for $50 each plus a service fee; that price includes admission for six people.