The journey toward the prestigious Kentucky Derby takes a significant turn this Saturday, March 8th, at Tampa Bay Downs in Florida. The event will feature five stakes races, with the Grade 3 Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby for three-year-olds as the highlight. This championship series race is part of the larger Festival Day card, which includes twelve races and offers valuable qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby. As horse racing enthusiasts gear up for this exciting day, the top five finishers in these races will earn crucial points that could secure their place in the May 3rd Kentucky Derby lineup. With just two weeks until the major prep races offering 100 points, the stakes are high for both trainers and jockeys.

The Tampa Bay Derby has attracted seven contenders, including Chancer McPatrick, who enters as the favorite after an impressive performance in his juvenile season under trainer Chad Brown. Making his 2025 debut, McPatrick will be donning blinkers for the first time, adding an element of intrigue to his run. His main challenger, Patch Adams, trained by Brad Cox, comes into the race following a fourth-place finish in the Southwest Stakes. Other notable entries include Hill Road and Owen Almighty, both aiming to make their mark in this critical derby.

Trainer Chad Brown, known for his success in previous years, fields two runners in this year’s Tampa Bay Derby. Flavien Prat will ride the favored Chancer McPatrick, while Tyler Gaffalione will be aboard Hill Road, making his first start under Brown. Last year’s winner, Domestic Product, also trained by Brown, demonstrated the competitive edge that this stable brings to the track. The Tampa Bay Derby has been held over a distance of 1 mile and 1/16 since 1981, and it continues to be a pivotal event in the Kentucky Derby qualification process.

The excitement extends beyond the track, with FanDuelTV providing live coverage of the event. Fans can watch and wager on the races through FanDuel Racing, enjoying exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights from the team on site. As the Road to the Kentucky Derby progresses, the next key stops include the Virginia Derby on March 15th and the Louisiana Derby on March 22nd, where even more points will be up for grabs. For now, all eyes are on Tampa Bay Downs, where every stride could determine the future of these young thoroughbreds’ careers.