OLDSMAR, Fla. – The road to the 152nd Kentucky Derby officially runs through Tampa Bay, as a powerhouse contingent of horses that dominated the Oldsmar oval this winter prepares to headline the most prestigious weekend in American racing.
As Tampa Bay Downs celebrates its 100th anniversary season, the track has proven to be a premier launching pad, sending five starters and one also-eligible to the $5 million, Grade 1 Kentucky Derby field on Saturday, alongside several top contenders for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks.
Leading the charge is Renegade, the 4-1 morning line favorite for the Run for the Roses. Conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher and ridden by five-time champion Irad Ortiz, Jr., the Into Mischief colt first flashed his brilliance on February 7 with a 3 ¾-length victory in the Sam F. Davis.
Though he bypassed the Tampa Bay Derby to win the Arkansas Derby, Renegade’s local roots remain a focal point for bettors. He faces stiff competition from fellow Tampa alumni, including 6-1 co-second choice Further Ado and The Puma at 10-1. The Puma, trained by Gustavo Delgado, Sr., bested Further Ado by 3/4 length in a gritty stretch duel to claim the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby on March 7.
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The depth of the Tampa contingent continues with Emerging Market at 15-1 and Albus at 30-1. Emerging Market, a Klaravich Stables colt trained by Chad Brown, began his undefeated career with a maiden win on the Sam Davis undercard before jumping in class to win the Louisiana Derby.
Albus also broke his maiden at Oldsmar on February 27 for trainer Riley Mott, winning by 6 ¾ lengths before capturing the Wood Memorial. Ocelli remains on the also-eligible list, waiting for a scratch to join the 20-horse field.
Friday’s $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks also features a Tampa Bay Downs standout as the betting favorite. Zany, another Pletcher trainee owned by Repole Stable, is the 4-1 choice following an effortless 2 ¾-length win in the Suncoast Stakes.
She is joined in the Oaks by Always a Runner, who debuted with a 3 ½-length win at Tampa for Chad Brown on the same day Zany won the Suncoast, eventually taking the Gazelle Stakes to keep her record perfect.
The weekend’s undercard is packed with local favorites. In the Grade 2 Alysheba, 2026 Challenger winner Disruptor faces off against three-time Challenger champion Skippylongstocking, who still holds the Tampa Bay Downs track record for 1 1/16 miles.
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Disruptor is also cross-entered in Saturday’s Churchill Downs Stakes against Disco Time, whom he beat by a length earlier this year. Other notable entries include Florida Oaks winner Dandona in the Edgewood, and Hillsborough alumni Whiskey Decision and Proctor Street in the Modesty.
Hall of Famers Mark Casse and Bill Mott are also represented on Saturday. Casse will send out Turf Dash winner My Boy Prince in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint and Columbia Stakes winner Alpyland in the American Turf. Mott saddles Capital Idea in the Knicks Go overnight handicap.
Fans at Tampa Bay Downs can watch the action during a local Kentucky Derby Party featuring live racing starting at 12:15 p.m., followed by the simulcast of the main event at 6:57 p.m.
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