Tampa, Oaklawn Park Horsemen Appreciative of Racing

Anyone looking for signs of normality at Tampa Bay Downs March 18 should have been within shouting distance of trainer Maria Bowersock during the third race.

“Come on, Lucky,” Bowersock implored from the grandstand apron as her 4-year-old filly They Call Me Lucky, under jockey Ronnie Allen Jr., began maneuvering her way through horse traffic at the top of the stretch.

Another "come on," and the Florida-bred might have gotten there. But she managed a solid second, just 1 1/4 lengths behind winner R D Have Faith, after trailing by 11 lengths early in the 5 1/2-furlong sprint.

The runner-up finish was the first in 15 career starts for They Call Me Lucky, who also owns a single victory, and it represented the kind of effort every trainer relishes. In today’s environment, when no one can predict what tomorrow will bring, Bowersock will take as many seconds and thirds as she can.

Although Tampa Bay Downs is closed to fans due to the COVID-19 crisis, racing continues as the track, horsemen, jockeys, and backstretch workers keep the faith that the outbreak will plateau and the number of cases will begin declining sooner rather than later.

“When” is anybody’s guess, but Bowersock is grateful for the opportunity to continue doing what she loves best.

“As horse people, to hear management say ‘We want to keep running’ is heartfelt,” Bowersock said. “They’re going to try their best to keep us running, and that’s all we can ask for.”

Bowersock was also encouraged by total wagering handle, through account wagering, of almost $200,000 on the first two races, with five horses in the first race (after two scratches) and six in the second.

All-sources handle on the day was $1,512,051.

Tampa Bay Downs has shut down The Silks Poker Room, at least until March 30, and suspended food and beverage operations.

“I feel bad for all those employees,” said Bowersock. “They rely on their winter jobs.”

While everyone is encouraged to follow government-issued guidelines to slow the spread of the disease, virtually no one is immune to its effects. Most of leading jockey Antonio Gallardo’s family lives in Spain, where a nationwide lockdown has been imposed as authorities seek to slow the rising number of cases.

“What’s happening there now is scary,” Gallardo said. “Everybody needs to know that can happen here, too.”

Italy, Spain, and France have all imposed nationwide lockdowns.

Leslie Mawing, who rode the winners of the first two races aboard Shiny Surprise and Highwaytwentyseven, said it’s easy to forget the absence of fans during a race, but not after.

“When I go into the gate, it’s business. I’m focused on the race, I’m focused on the horse I’m riding and I’m focused on winning,” he said. “Of course, afterward there is nobody to fist-bump, nobody congratulating you on the walk back to the room.

“And I miss seeing the young fans out here,” Mawing said. “I have three of my own.”

Mawing said most racetrack people are thankful for the opportunity to continue to work.

“Thank God, right now we’re able to race, because as racetrackers, we are pretty much self-employed. We depend on the times that we work, from the groom to the jockey and the trainer,” Mawing said. “We’re all depending on having to race—that’s how we make our living.”

Trainer, Owner Praise Oaklawn’s Decision to Continue Live Racing

Two high-profile horsemen praised Oaklawn for its decision to continue live racing as venues across the country close because of COVID-19. 

“For them to do what they’re doing, we’re all pretty blessed to have a place to train and run," trainer Robertino Diodoro. "You can definitely tell that they’re in for racing. You know what I mean? There’s a lot of places that aren’t, and it’s showing right now.”

Diodoro’s vast operation includes horses at Turf Paradise, Sam Houston Race Park, Will Rogers Downs, and Oaklawn, where he has a meet-best 38 victories through 31 days of the scheduled 57-day season. 

Diodoro said he’s already making adjustments, noting Sir Rick was en route to Oaklawn Tuesday morning after being entered in the Sunland Park Derby (G3), a race that has been canceled due to COVID-19. Sir Rick won the $100,000 Mine That Bird Stakes Feb. 23 at Sunland Park in his last start and recorded a five-furlong breeze there March 15. Sir Rick is now a candidate for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) scheduled to be run April 11 at Oaklawn, according to Diodoro.

The trainer said he also has roughly a half-dozen horses coming from Turf Paradise, which ended its meet early.

“I haven’t slept for two nights, not that I can do anything about it,” said Diodoro, who has approximately 40 horses at Oaklawn. “I’m just worried. I feel sorry for so many people, too. My girlfriend was showing me stuff of some of those guys in Phoenix selling saddles and bridles. They’re broke. It hurts.”

Four-time Oaklawn leading owner Danny Caldwell echoed Diodoro’s comments. Caldwell, tied for second in the standings with seven victories through March 15, called Oaklawn’s decision to continue racing “tremendous” for horsemen. The track's casino is currently closed.

"It means a lot to us horsemen because without being able to race, it’s hard for guys like me to stay in the business," Calwell said. "We really appreciate it. I know I do, and I know most all horsemen appreciate them for what they’re doing for us.”