The result of this annual Grade III Thoroughbred horse race, held at Tampa Bay Downs, considerably influences the Highway to the Kentucky Derby. A handbag and qualifying factors are awarded to the highest finishers, impacting their possibilities of competing within the prestigious Kentucky Derby. For instance, the winner sometimes receives 50 qualifying factors, the second-place finisher 20, and so forth. This technique determines which three-year-old horses have gathered 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 potential to determine promising younger horses with the potential to succeed on the highest ranges of the game. Efficiency on this race is carefully scrutinized by horse racing lovers, analysts, and bettors, offering beneficial insights into the potential of those younger Thoroughbreds. The purse earnings additionally contribute to the general worth and standing of the successful horses.