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Congressional Daily Record
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April 30, 2026
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Extensions of Remarks
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Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextHON. KATHY CASTOR
of florida
in the house of representatives
Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Tampa Bay Downs, in celebration of its 100th year of Thoroughbred Racing in the Tampa Bay area.
who created the Oldsmobile and developed the area of Oldsmar. Ownership passed to the West Coast Jockey Club, which opened the track and held its first race on February 18, 1926.
Great Depression and World War II. During the war, the U.S. Army took over the track, which served as a jungle-warfare training facility for troops preparing to fight overseas. By the end of World War II, a renewed interest in Thoroughbred racing developed and Tampa Bay Downs underwent new ownership by Tampa attorneys Milo Vega and Frank Hobbs.
to cover baseball's spring training spent their days off at the racetrack. Renowned writer Grantland Rice began referring to the Downs as the Santa Anita of the South, a comparison taken with great pride in racing circles.
remarkable young female jockeys who trained and won their first races at the Downs. Diane Crump, from Oldsmar, was the first professional female jockey in America. She was the first woman to ride in a pari- mutuel race in 1969 and, a year later, the first female jockey to race in the Kentucky Derby. Julie Krone, who lived with her grandparents in New Port Richey while an apprentice jockey, went on to have over 3,700 career wins and be the first female jockey inducted into the prestigious National Museum of Horse Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York.
brother, Howell Ferguson, who took the reins in 1986, Tampa Bay Downs has become a steadfast institution in the Tampa Bay region with an ever-growing stakes schedule and a commitment to giving back to the community. Stewards uphold integrity and fair competition to provide transparency in decisions made during the racing events. Few embody that commitment more than Charlie Miranda, one of Tampa City Council's longest-serving members and a steward for more than four decades. Charlie Miranda has helped champion a family-friendly environment for guests of all ages for generations to come. The jockeys, trainers, and dedicated employees are the pillars that support the continued movement for thoroughbred racing to thrive in the Tampa Bay area.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Tampa Bay Downs for a century of contributions to the racing industry and for being a destination for neighbors and visitors alike. Tampa Bay Downs has grown from a humble racetrack into a century of tradition built on speed, champions and cherished memories.