Tampa Bay Downs Horse Racing Picks (Mar 8)

One of the best cards of the year for Tampa Bay Downs is set for this weekend, as the G3 Tampa Bay Derby offers clues on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Further graded races are also staged in the G2 Hillsborough and G3 Florida Oaks. Find our picks here.

Tampa Bay Downs Horse Racing Picks

G3 Tampa Bay Derby (R11- 5:34 PM ET)

The feature on the card this Saturday is the G3 Tampa Bay Derby, with two winners of the Kentucky Derby since 2007 lining up in the race (Street Sense-2007 & Super Saver- 2010).

The field will compete over 1 1/16 miles for the Derby points this weekend, and there could be a fascinating battle between market leaders Patch Adams and Chancer McPatrick.

Patch Adams is the runner from the Brad Cox yard, and was last seen finishing fourth over 1 1/16 miles in the G3 Southwest. Chancer McPatrick could be vulnerable carrying a penalty on his return after finishing sixth in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

We like the chances of Owen Almighty for the Brian Lynch team. The three-year-old ran an excellent race over course and distance in the Sam F. Davis Stakes last month, and looks like a winning in waiting over this distance.

G2 Hillsborough Stakes (R9- 4:31 PM ET)

There is also action on the turf this weekend, as the G2 Hillsborough Stakes will be contested over 1 1/8 miles at Tampa Bay Downs. The Grade Two has been won by legendary runners such as Zagora and Tepin, and Chad Brown has a strong hand in the race this year.

Saffron Moon will rank among his top chances on the day at Tampa Bay Downs this weekend.

The six-year-old has been ultra consistent based on speed figures, and she was a winner at the track last month when landing the G3 Endeavour Stakes from See You Around. However, she has something to find over this weekend’s trip.

Therefore, a chance is taken on the improving Spaliday. The four-year-old was a winner over 1 1/8 miles last season when landing the G2 Sands Point Stakes, and she is a two-time winner in stakes company. She is making a first start at Tampa Bay, but that isn’t a major issue.

Tampa Bay Downs Horse Racing Picks- Mar 8