ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby

The Tampa Bay Derby is a race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds that awards points toward a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate for its first four finishers. The race is contested at 1 1/16 miles at Tampa Bay Downs each March.

The race gained notoriety in 2007 when 2006 champion 2-year-old Street Sense won the race and went on to capture the Kentucky Derby. In 2010 third-place finisher Super Saver won the Kentucky Derby to boost the race's reputation further. Other notable horses to have competed in the race include Verrazano, War Pass, Bluegrass Cat, Cajun Beat and Menifee.