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New day, bigger purses for Florida Cup Day at Tampa Bay Downs

 
Published March 31, 2017

OLDSMAR — A new day. A new purse structure.

Florida Cup Day will have both for its 15th edition this year at Tampa Bay Downs.

The program that emphasizes Florida-bred horses has been moved to Sunday as horsemen celebrate a purse hike for each of the Downs' final six stakes races in its 2016-17 season.

For the first time since Florida Cup Day began in 2003, purses have been increased to $100,000 in all six stakes races in an agreement between area horsemen, state breeders and the Downs.

Bob Jeffries, president of the Downs Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association, ignited the idea to increase purses from $75,000 that had been in existence since the start of Florida Cup Day. Jeffries first approached Lonny Powell, chief executive officer of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association, about contributing more purse money. When Powell agreed, Jeffries' next step was to run his proposal by Downs vice president and general manager Peter Berube, who also decided to contribute to one of the Oldsmar track's biggest programs.

"(All three groups) are putting up a third (of the extra purses)," Jeffries said. "Our local horsemen generally win a pretty good portion of that money."

Florida Cup Day, which had been held on Saturday in past years, features six stakes: Distaff Turf, Sophomore, Sophomore Fillies, Sophomore Turf, Sprint and Turf Classic, all ranging from 6 furlongs to 11/8th miles. The races will close out the track's 24-race, $2.975 million stakes program.

There will be 12 races on the program, with first post at 12:15 p.m. Some of the sport's top jockeys will ship in for Florida Cup Day, including four-time Eclipse Award winner Javier Castellano; 2005-06 Oldsmar leading rider Jose Lezcano; two-time Eclipse Award winner Julien Leparoux, and 2017 Tampa Bay Derby-winning rider Jose Ortiz.

With its move to Sunday, Florida Cup Day will not be competing with Saturday's two major Kentucky Derby preps: the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach and the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds in New Orleans. The Downs has a 10-race card Saturday afternoon with post time at 12:45.

"I think (moving Florida Cup Day to Sunday) is fine," Jeffries said. "We've got some good horses, (and) it gives the local horsemen a chance to make some extra money."

The 2016 Florida Cup Day ended with a record-setting performance by Speed Seeker, who won the Distaff Turf in gate-to-wire fashion for trainer Joan Scott. Speed Seeker, a Grade III champion, paid $51 to win, the highest price in the race's history.

DOGS: The $75,000 Distance Classic features third-round qualifying Saturday in Races 6 (8:39 p.m.) and 10 (9:47) at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg. Qualifying in the 660-yard series concludes Wednesday with the top eight greyhounds advancing to the April 8 championship race.