The end result of this annual Grade III Thoroughbred horse race, held at Tampa Bay Downs, considerably influences the Street to the Kentucky Derby. A handbag and qualifying factors are awarded to the highest finishers, impacting their probabilities of competing within the prestigious Kentucky Derby. For instance, the winner usually receives 50 qualifying factors, the second-place finisher 20, and so forth. This method determines which three-year-old horses have collected sufficient factors to qualify for the Kentucky Derby discipline.
This race serves as a pivotal stepping stone for aspiring contenders. Its historic significance lies in its skill to establish promising younger horses with the potential to succeed on the highest ranges of the game. Efficiency on this race is intently scrutinized by horse racing lovers, analysts, and bettors, offering invaluable insights into the potential of those younger Thoroughbreds. The purse earnings additionally contribute to the general worth and standing of the successful horses.