Takeaways from 2024 Tampa Bay Derby

Mar 13, 2024 James Scully

Tampa Bay Downs was forced to cancel wagering on the March 9 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) after a lengthy tote delay, but the Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifier still proved to be an exciting race. The 1 1/16-mile event awarded points on a 50-25-15-10-5 scale toward a berth in the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4.

Here are three takeaways from the Tampa Bay Derby

Domestic Product overcomes race flow, wins tight four-horse finish

Domestic Product rated in midpack behind an extremely slow pace (:25.25, :51.14, and 1:16.21) and launched a wide bid off the far turn, bumping with multiple rivals before prevailing by a neck in an exciting four-horse finish.

He certainly didn’t receive the same favorable trip as No More Time, who led all the way in February’s Sam F. Davis (G3) and tracked in second of the Tampa Bay Derby before striking the front in deep stretch.

Domestic Product showed outstanding courage getting up to record his first stakes victory, and the dark bay continues to make encouraging progress for Chad Brown. A maiden winner the second time out in late October, Domestic Product showed little finishing a well-beaten seventh in the Remsen (G2) in his juvenile finale.

The Practical Joke colt added the services of Tyler Gaffalione for the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream on Feb. 3, rallying past champion Fierceness in the stretch to be second to Hades, and Domestic Product packs a finishing kick, registering 108 and 125 Brisnet Late Pace ratings for his last two outings.

The Tampa Bay Derby came back slow from a Speed figure perspective, as Domestic Product received only an 84 Speed figure, and both starts this year have been slow-paced events.

Domestic Product picked up 50 #KentuckyDerby points in yesterday's Tampa Bay Derby! 🌹 @GallantFox1930 has a recap of the race. ⤵️ @KentuckyDerby https://t.co/RMUBOxN1rS

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) March 10, 2024

Final prep key measuring stick for most but No More Time

No More Time will bypass a final prep race, training up to the Kentucky Derby off a seven-week layoff, and his career-best 93 Brisnet Speed rating won’t be good enough to win the first leg of the Triple Crown.

Domestic Product, and others from the Tampa Bay Derby, will aim for one more race, with Brown mentioning the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland and Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct as options. Let’s hope the final prep features a legitimate pace.

The late runner has something going for him, but the next start will provide a better gauge upon Domestic Product’s Kentucky Derby chances.

Grand Mo the First, Good Money garner minor awards

Following a third in the seven-furlong Swale S. at Gulfstream, Grand Mo the First stretched to two turns on dirt and found his best stride in the final furlongs, closing for third, a head back of No More Time. We’ll see if he can carry his form forward at longer distances versus better competition.

Good Money faced a stiff class check after winning his career debut over seven furlongs on Jan. 26 and the Brown-trained colt took it to rivals from the break, showing the way on a short lead before giving way grudgingly. The Good Magic colt gave a fine account of himself finishing a length back in fourth.