Venue thoughts for March 8
 

This Saturday I'd like to keep us in Florida, but instead of Gulfstream, we'll head west, either on the old Tamiami Trail or across the much more rapid Alligator Alley and on up to Tampa Bay Downs.

As Racing Secretaries tend to do more and more these days, the card for their biggest day of the year includes the Tampa Bay Derby (with KY Derby qualifying points), the Florida Oaks, the Hillsborough Stakes (that's the County in which Tampa is located), and a couple of other interesting stakes races. My present inclination is to have our card cover races 3 through 12. I'll post the threads sometime on Thursday.

JOKY
“ Tamiami Trail or across the much more rapid Alligator Alley “

You brought back fond memories
Half my life was in Florida

Luckily I never encountered an alligator 🐊 face to face

I've driven across that part of the state just often enough to remember that there is a spot about 10 miles before you reach Naples where there are usually a number of alligators sunning themselves very close to the shoulder of the highway. Not a good place to get a flat tire.:eek:

Here's a tip I got in a pro shop before teeing off. If an alligator starts chasing you, zigzag. Apparently, humans have little chance of outrunning an alligator at close range but they can only go fast in a straight line.

Very happy you picked Tampa Bay this week, Joly B. It's a cool racecourse that actually attracts a crowd. Like Oaklawn, it is family-owned and that seems to make a lot of difference when it comes to customers feeling like they really are appreciated.