Tampa Bay Derby 2024 | Tampa Bay Downs Replay [Kentucky Derby]

The Chad Brown-trained Domestic Product won the 2024 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs, a prep race for the Kentucky Derby (G1).

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Watch the race replay here:

The press release:

With the Oldsmar oval’s Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes winner No More Time appearing headed to victory, Domestic Product, who had finished second in the Grade III Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park a week before the Davis, surged with every fiber of his Thoroughbred heart under jockey Tyler Gaffalione to snatch the victory away.

Bedlam – at least of a variety perhaps never seen at Tampa Bay Downs, which winning trainer Chad Brown referred to earlier in the day as “a charming old track” – ensued. The connections of No More Time, at least 25 strong, flooded the winner’s circle, and Brown seemed to have no idea Domestic Product had pulled it out.

Whether the margin was a long nose or a short head didn’t seem to matter. The Klaravich Stables-owned son of Practical Joke earned 50 “Road to the Kentucky Derby” points while improving to 2-for-5, while No More Time settled for 25, raising his total to 45 and ensuring both will get to Louisville on May 4 if the connections deem it advisable.

Grand Mo the First was third and Brown’s colt Good Money, the pace-setter, lasted for fourth.   

Here’s an interesting sidelight, before we forget: Gaffalione’s father Steve Gaffalione won the 1989 Tampa Bay Derby on Storm Predictions. Domestic Product was Tyler’s first-ever mount in the race.

As for Brown, he did a commendable job after the race controlling his emotions, which still were palpable.

“He (Domestic Product) showed a lot of heart after getting bumped by (third-place finisher Grand Mo the First) and he showed a lot of perseverance,” Brown said. “He got good seasoning today. He had to rate and he was pulling a little bit off a slow pace, and I was really impressed with his heart and the fact he got his nose down on the wire.

“I think this race will serve him well moving forward. That’s why I wanted to run him here because he needed a race like this for a little more experience and a little more seasoning.”

Brown also addressed the delay.

“I was concerned about it because you know how much time it usually takes these horses to warm up and get ready to run, but then again everyone was in the same boat. So any way you look at it, from that perspective the race is going to be run fairly regardless,” he said.

“I’m happy management here decided to go ahead, because this is an important race for the Kentucky Derby and I think they should be commended for putting the (wagering) aside and running the race.”

Gaffalione, who also won the Grade III, $100,000 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes on Skippylongstocking, was jubilant after the victory on Domestic Product.

“It worked out well because I was able to get right behind Javier (Castellano, on No More Time) the whole way and when we got around the 3/8-mile pole, he started to ask his horse and I just followed him. My horse was very responsive and he did the job well.

“That’s the thing I was most proud of coming into the stretch was that (Grand Mo the First) was kind of leaning on my horse and I felt like if I could just get him free, I had plenty of horse,” Gaffalione said. “He’s still young and he’s still learning but I was very proud when he got (No More Time) at the wire.”

Both Castellano and No More Time’s trainer, Jose Francisco D’Angelo, dealt with the defeat as well as could be expected.

“My horse ran such a great race,” Castellano said. “Unfortunately, that’s horse racing and (Domestic Product) nailed me at the wire. It was such a great race. It was a slow pace all the way on the backside, and turning for home when I asked my horse he took off. He responded, but the other horse ran a little better. I am not disappointed in my horse. He ran such a good race and sometimes it goes that way.”

“It was very close. It was a tough beat. He ran a very good race and got a perfect ride,” D’Angelo said. “I was a little sad afterward, but that’s racing. But we won more points and we’re going to the Kentucky Derby, I think. I think the 45 points he has is very good, so I think so, yes, (headed) for Kentucky. From his race today, it looks like he wants to go longer and that’s a very good thing.

“There are a lot of good things to look forward to with him.”