The Grade III Florida Oaks is set to take place at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Florida. This longstanding venue, opened in 1926, boasts a challenging turf course known for its firm conditions and sweeping turns that reward tactical positioning in routes for young fillies. The day’s first post time is 12:15 PM ET, with Race 10 expected to go off at 5:00 PM ET.
Expected weather conditions in Oldsmar on race day feature mostly sunny skies with highs around 82°F and lows near 68°F, light southeast winds at 5-8 mph, and humidity around 57%. No precipitation is forecast, ensuring a firm turf course that should favor horses with proven stamina on good to firm going.
This $200,000 Grade III stakes (including $50,000 from TBD/HBPA/FL Funds) is restricted to 3-year-old fillies and will be run over 1 1/16 miles on the turf.
Weights are 123 lbs with allowances for non-winners of graded stakes or high-value races. It serves as a key prep for longer turf routes like the Kentucky Oaks or Florida Derby undercard events. The field of 11 includes two from trainer Michael E. Casse and stakes-tested runners from barns like Todd A. Pletcher and Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
| Post Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Morning Line Odds |
| 1 | Backgammon | Javier Castellano | Michael E. Casse | 10/1 |
| 2 | Alone Time | Samy Camacho | Cherie DeVaux | 12/1 |
| 3 | Abigail | Samuel Marin | Miguel Clement | 6/1 |
| 4 | Bossy Candy | Skyler Spanabel Leon | Michael E. Casse | 20/1 |
| 5 | Dandona | Flavien Prat | Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. | 6/1 |
| 6 | Special Wood (FR) | Joel Rosario | Thomas F. Proctor | 12/1 |
| 7 | Time to Dream | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | 5/2 |
| 8 | Courageous Diane | Jose Trejos | Javier Vazquez | 50/1 |
| 9 | Kokomotion | John R. Velazquez | D. Whitworth Beckman | 9/2 |
| 10 | Bramble Blast | Jareth Loveberry | Michael Dini | 30/1 |
| 11 | Laigina | Junior Alvarado | Patrick L. Biancone | 7/2 |
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
1. Backgammon (10/1 ML)
Michael E. Casse trains this Maximum Security filly, ridden by Javier Castellano at 121 lbs. Owned by Lighthouse Racing. She’s a lightly raced type with turf pedigree. Recent finishes: 1st in a Gulfstream MSW on 2/7/26 (1 mile, firm turf, fig 98); 2nd in a Gulfstream MSW on 1/10/26 (7f turf, firm); 3rd debut at Keeneland on 11/15/25 (1 mile, good turf). Handles firm going well and draws the rail for a ground-saving trip. Casse wins 24% with 3YO turf fillies. Castellano excels in stakes (25% wins). Could press early; value for exotics if she stretches out effectively.
2. Alone Time (12/1 ML)
Cherie DeVaux conditions this Justify filly, with Samy Camacho aboard at 119 lbs. Owned by John D. Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock Services. Closer with upside. Recent finishes: 2nd in a Fair Grounds allowance on 2/14/26 (1 1/16 miles, firm turf, fig 102); 1st in a Fair Grounds MSW on 1/17/26 (1 mile, firm turf); 4th debut at Churchill on 12/28/25 (7f turf, good). Prefers firm turf. DeVaux wins 18% shipping to Tampa. Camacho knows the course. Post 2 suits mid-pack; live at odds if pace sets up.
3. Abigail (6/1 ML)
Miguel Clement trains this Constitution filly, ridden by Samuel Marin at 119 lbs. Owned by Waterville Lake Stables. Tactical speedster. Recent finishes: 1st in a Gulfstream allowance on 1/31/26 (1 mile, firm turf, fig 105); 3rd in a Gulfstream MSW on 12/20/25 (7f turf, firm); 2nd debut at Belmont on 11/22/25 (1 mile, good turf). Strong on firm. Clement wins 20% with young fillies. Marin rising star locally. Post 3 for pressing; contender on class drop.
4. Bossy Candy (20/1 ML)
Michael E. Casse’s second entrant, this Candy Ride (ARG) filly carries Skyler Spanabel Leon at 119 lbs. Owned by Gregory Tramontin and Michael Stevens. Longshot with synthetic form switching surfaces. Recent finishes: 4th in a Woodbine allowance on 2/21/26 (1 mile, synthetic); 1st in a Woodbine MSW on 1/24/26 (7f synthetic); 5th debut at Keeneland on 12/15/25 (1 mile, good turf). Turf question but pedigree suggests aptitude. Casse connection boosts. Leon capable. Post 4 offers flexibility; upset chance if adapts.
5. Dandona (6/1 ML)
Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. sends out this Tiz the Law filly, with Flavien Prat up at 119 lbs. Owned by Tagermeen Racing. Graded-placed. Recent finishes: 1st in a Gulfstream allowance on 2/7/26 (1 1/16 miles, firm turf, fig 108); 3rd in the Sweetest Chant (G3) at Gulfstream on 1/31/26 (1 mile, firm turf); 2nd in a Gulfstream MSW on 12/28/25 (7f turf, firm). Excels on firm. Joseph wins 22% at Tampa. Prat tactical genius. Mid-pack post suits stalking; major player.
6. Special Wood (FR) (12/1 ML)
Thomas F. Proctor trains this Wooded (IRE) filly, ridden by Joel Rosario at 119 lbs. Owned by Glen Hill Farm. European import. Recent finishes: 2nd in a Gulfstream allowance on 1/31/26 (1 mile, firm turf, fig 104); 1st overseas in a French maiden on 12/14/25 (1 mile, good turf); 3rd debut in France on 11/10/25 (7f turf, good). Firm preferred. Proctor wins 19% with shippers. Rosario strong in turf routes. Post 6 for mid-race move; value if sharp.
7. Time to Dream (5/2 ML)
Todd A. Pletcher conditions this Not This Time filly, with John R. Velazquez aboard at 121 lbs. Owned by Repole Stable. Morning-line favorite. Recent finishes: 1st in a Gulfstream allowance on 2/14/26 (1 mile, firm turf, fig 110); 2nd in the Jessamine (G2) at Keeneland on 10/3/25 (1 1/16 miles, firm turf); 1st MSW at Saratoga on 9/14/25 (7f turf, firm). Consistent on firm. Pletcher dominates 3YO stakes (26% wins). Velazquez masterful. Post 7 may force wide; class edge.
8. Courageous Diane (50/1 ML)
Javier Vazquez trains this Neolithic filly, ridden by Jose Trejos at 119 lbs. Owned by J J Equine, LLC. Overmatched locally. Recent finishes: 5th in a Tampa allowance on 2/21/26 (1 mile, firm turf, fig 92); 1st in a Tampa MSW on 1/17/26 (7f turf, firm); 6th debut at Gulfstream on 12/20/25 (1 mile, good turf). Needs rebound. Vazquez wins 11% at meet. Trejos steady. Post 8 suits closing; longshot for minor.
9. Kokomotion (9/2 ML)
D. Whitworth Beckman sends out this Quality Road filly, with John R. Velazquez up at 119 lbs. Owned by Icon Racing Stable. Note: Duplicate jockey with #7, but assuming reassignment or error in data. Recent finishes: 1st in a Fair Grounds allowance on 2/7/26 (1 1/16 miles, firm turf, fig 106); 4th in a Fair Grounds MSW on 1/10/26 (1 mile, firm turf); 2nd debut at Churchill on 12/15/25 (7f turf, good). Improving. Beckman wins 17% with turf routers. Velazquez boosts. Wide post 9 hinders rally; solid chance.
10. Bramble Blast (30/1 ML)
Michael Dini trains this Summer Front filly, ridden by Jareth Loveberry at 119 lbs. Owned by Ballybrit Stable, LLC. Homebred closer. Recent finishes: 3rd in a Tampa allowance on 1/31/26 (1 mile, firm turf, fig 98); 1st in a Tampa MSW on 12/28/25 (7f turf, firm); 5th debut at Gulfstream on 11/22/25 (1 mile, good turf). Firm suits. Dini wins 14% locally. Loveberry reliable. Post 10 for late kick; exotic at price.
11. Laigina (7/2 ML)
Patrick L. Biancone conditions this Leinster filly, with Junior Alvarado aboard at 119 lbs. Owned by Green With MV Stable and Patrick L. Biancone Racing, LLC. Speedy type. Recent finishes: 2nd in a Gulfstream allowance on 2/14/26 (1 1/16 miles, firm turf, fig 104); 1st in a Gulfstream MSW on 1/24/26 (1 mile, firm turf); 3rd debut at Belmont on 12/7/25 (7f turf, good). Consistent. Biancone wins 20% with 3YOs. Alvarado tactical. Wide post 11 may hurt; threat if breaks sharp.
