Tampa Bay Downs to Raise Overnight Purses 10%

Tampa Bay Downs will increase purses for all races except stakes by approximately 10% beginning Dec. 16. 

The increase will be $1,500 for maiden special weight and allowance races and $1,000 for claiming and starter races. Most straight maiden and allowance races were worth between $21,000-$24,000 prior to announced increases.

Track vice president and general manager Peter Berube credited the efforts of former Tampa Bay Downs Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association president Bob Jeffries and the approval of their board for the purse raise. He also noted a cushion in the purse account prior to the start of the meet.

"Our (simulcast) business has been strong since racing returned on Nov. 25 and is up 29% to date," Berube said. "We were projecting a 30-35% decrease in on-track wagering on live and simulcast racing to start the meeting, and those projections have been correct, but the actions of the Tampa Bay HBPA and the popularity of our signal across the country enable us to feel comfortable raising purses starting next week."

Through the first six race days since the 2020-21 meeting resumed last month, Tampa Bay Downs has averaged $3,719,055 in daily interstate wagering. The total wagering handle on the track's 10-race card Dec. 5 was a Cotillion Festival Day-record $6,128,282, of which $5,702,369 was through interstate wagering. 

Tampa Bay Downs mostly races Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, though its schedule will have some deviations during the upcoming holiday period. Socially distanced attendance is permitted.