The Florida Oaks is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old fillies over the distance of miles on the turf scheduled annually in mid-March at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Florida. The event currently carries a purse of $200,000.

History

The race was inaugurated on 10 March 1984, at a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt and was won by Sure Too Explode who was ridden by the Tampa Bay Downs track leading jockey Rick Luhr in a time of 1:24. The next year, the distance was changed in 1985 to miles and has remained so to date.

The Florida Oaks was first upgraded to Grade III status by the American Graded Stakes Committee (AGSC) in 1996, but was downgraded to listed status in 2004.

It returned to Grade III in 2008 but was again downgraded for 2011.Blood Horse: 2011 Graded Stakes: 13 Fewer Than '10

In 2011 Tampa Bay Downs officials decided to switch the race to the turf.Florida Oaks surface change The AGSC restored the Grade III designation for the 2013 edition.

Two Florida Oaks winners, Luv Me Luv Me Not in 1992 and Secret Status in 2000, went on to win the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

Records Speed record: miles turf – 1:41.12 Domain Expertise (2021), Mission of Joy (2023) miles dirt – 1:43.65 Don't Forget Gil (2009)

Margins: 9 lengths – R Lady Joy (2005)

Most wins by a jockey: 4 - Jose Lezcano (2005, 2012, 2014, 2015)

Most wins by a trainer: 4 - William I. Mott (2003, 2013, 2015, 2024)

Most wins by an owner: 3 - William S. Farish III (1995, 2000, 2001)

Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref 2026DandonaFlavien PratSaffie A. Joseph Jr.Tagermeen Racing miles1:44.71$150,000III2025Nitrogen José L. OrtizMark E. CasseD. J. Stable miles1:40.42$150,000III2024Waskesiu Junior AlvaradoWilliam I. MottChiefswood Stables Limited miles1:42.04$155,000III2023Mission of Joy Antonio GallardoH. Graham MotionRyZan Sun Racing and Madaket Stables miles1:41.12$200,000III2022Dolce Zel (FR) Irad Ortiz Jr.Chad C. BrownMichael Dubb, Madaket Stables & Robert V. LaPenta miles1:44.18$151,000III2021Domain Expertise Antonio GallardoChad C. BrownKlaravich Stables miles1:41.12$152,500III2020Outburst (GB)Javier CastellanoEddie KenneallyMarc Detampel, TSF Thoroughbred Racing & Rebecca Hillen miles1:42.03$150,000III2019Concrete RoseJulien R. LeparouxGeorge R. Arnold IIAshbrook Farm & BBN Racing miles1:43.02$150,000III2018Andina Del SurJulien R. LeparouxThomas AlbertraniDon Alberto Stable miles1:42.37$150,000III2017Fifty FiveJose L. OrtizThomas M. BushEmpire Equines miles1:41.60$155,000III2016Julien R. LeparouxBrian A. LynchAmerman Racing miles1:42.20$155,000III2015Quality RocksJose LezcanoWilliam I. MottFlavor Racing, Brous Stable, Wachtel Stable & Destiny Oaks Of Ocala miles1:43.39$180,000III2014Testa Rossi (FR)Jose LezcanoChad C. BrownJames Covello, Thomas Coleman & Doheny Racing Stable miles1:43.51$152,500III2013TapicatJoel RosarioWilliam I. MottBesilu Stables miles1:41.89$100,000III2012§ Dixie StrikeJose LezcanoMark E. CasseJohn C. Oxley miles1:43.30$105,000 Listed 2011Dynamic HolidayRamon A. DominguezH. Graham MotionAugustin Stable miles1:45.56$105,000 Listed 2010Diva DeliteDavid A. VivianBarbara Vivian & Dominic Vittese miles1:46.10$170,000III2009Don't Forget GilRajiv MaraghMark A. HennigAlan Brodsky miles1:43.60$200,000III2008Awesome ChicIrwin J. RosendoRafael RamosAurora Springs Stable miles1:44.38$200,000III2007Cotton BlossomJohn R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherDogwood Stable miles1:45.06$200,000 Listed 2006BushfireJohn R. VelazquezEddie KenneallyRon & Ricki Rashinski miles1:46.25$200,000 Listed 2005R Lady JoyJose LezcanoKirk ZiadieRichard N. Averill miles1:44.58$150,000 Listed 2004Ender's SisterPat DayGeorge R. Arnold IIGreen Lantern Stables miles1:45.66$150,000 Listed 2003Ebony BreezeMark GuidryWilliam I. MottKinsman Stable miles1:45.20$150,000III2002French SatinRamon A. DominguezSteven W. StandridgeSabine Stable miles1:45.29$150,000III2001Quick TipRichard MiglioreNeil J. HowardWilliam S. Farish III miles1:45.36$150,000III2000Secret StatusPat DayNeil J. HowardWilliam S. Farish III, James A. Elkins Jr. & W. Temple Webber Jr. miles1:45.05$125,000III1999Crown JewelLuis Jeronimo MartinezEvelio GarciaDonald Murray miles1:45.60$100,000III1998PantuflaPat DayDavid M. CarrollHelen Alexander miles1:45.40$100,000III1997AnkletShane SellersW. Elliott WaldenAlexander S. Loeb, Brad ay & Jeffrey S. Sullivan miles1:45.00$100,000III1996Mindy GayleJorge A. GuerraJulian CanetTanenbaum Racing Stable miles1:45.80$100,000III1995Sneaky QuietMike E. SmithNeil J. HowardWilliam S. Farish III & Temple Webber Jr. miles1:45.40$100,000 Listed 1994 Cavada Kevin WhitleyA. Archie Smith Jr.Bebe R. Dalton miles1:46.40$100,000Listed 1993Star JolieEduardo O. NunezRonald H. McKenzieFive Star Stables miles1:45.60$100,000 Listed 1992Luv Me Luv Me NotWillie MartinezGlenn S. WismerPhilip & Judy Maas miles1:45.60$100,000 Listed 1991Designated DancerWillie MartinezOliver E. EdwardsDavid Melin miles1:45.40$100,000 Listed 1990Dance ColonyHerb McCauleyRoss R. PearceBuckland Farm miles1:45.20$100,000 1989She's ScrumptiousRichard Murray AdkinsGlenn S. WismerPhilip & Judy Maas miles1:46.00$100,000 1988Colonial WatersVictor H. MolinaJohn P. CampoBuckland Farm miles1:44.80$110,000 1987Single BladeJulio Molina PezuaGreentree Stable miles1:45.60$130,000 1986NorancHerb McCauleyJoseph ProvostGallopping Acres & Hidden Point Farm miles1:44.60$108,300 1985ErstwhileCharles HusseyCam GambolatiHunter Farm miles1:48.00$56,450 1984Sure Too ExplodeRick D. LuhrSherman IngramFrederick Lehmann7 furlongs1:24.40$62,200

Legend:

Notes:

§ Ran as an entry

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

External sites Tampa Bay Downs Media Guide 2021

References