Van Winkle Settled In At Tampa

Trainer David Van Winkle had been racing at Turf Paradise in Phoenix since late 1995. Phoenix became home for the native Nebraskan, wife Pam who he met in Minnesota, and their three kids. He would annually race at Canterbury for four months of summer and return to Phoenix for the meet that traditionally ran October […]

The Road to Kentucky Week 3 Recap

“As you know, first prize is a Cadillac El Dorado.  Second prize is a set of steak knives.  Third prize is you’re fired.” — Blake, Glengarry Glen Ross The Road to Kentucky contest track this past Saturday was Tampa Bay Downs, which featured a 12-race card highlighted by the Sam F. Davis Stakes.  Fast and […]

All Aboard on the Road to Kentucky

Ah yes, the fever. Derby Fever strikes earlier for some than others, but for the horseplayer at Canterbury the official first stop arrives on Saturday compliments of Tampa Bay Downs and their Sam F. Davis Stakes. This traditional prep for the Tampa Bay Derby has not exactly been a Kentucky Derby Contender factory, but the […]

Road to Kentucky Heads to Tampa Bay

The free-to-enter Road to Kentucky Handicapping Contest heads into Tampa Bay Downs this Saturday for a traditionally tough 12-race card which includes the Tampa Bay Derby and the current buzz-horse Verazzano. The San Felipe on the other side of the country is also part of this week’s contest. There are weekly prizes offered to the […]

Two of a Kind

They dressed for the wedding in the jockeys’ room, and then piled in the back of a pickup truck for the trip to the Turf Paradise garden where the ceremony was held. The men were duded up in western hats and jackets, the perfect ensemble for the place and setting. The bride stayed more traditional […]