TAMPA, Fla. — Live racing at Tampa Bay Downs is fast approaching, and despite damage to the track caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the first race is scheduled to take place later this month.

What You Need To Know

  • Racing at Tampa Bay Downs is scheduled to begin on Nov. 20

  • Trainers and horses were scheduled to arrive in October but damage from Milton caused them to delay arrivals until Nov. 4

  • Several barn roofs were damaged by the storm, and water blanketed the race track's infield and the facility's parking lot

But the process to get the track up to what it needed to be for proper training and housing for the horses was delayed because of the storms.

This track is a favorite for a lot of trainers, but earlier this month, water blanketed the parking lots and the infield of the track, and longtime horse trainer Mike Dini said the barns in the back were in rough shape.

“I could see my barn was missing half its roof,” Dini said. “And I'm like, that's only one of 30.”

Milton made landfall on Oct. 9, so Dini said he wasn't sure repairs could be made in time for the live racing season to start on Nov. 20.

“I really thought they wouldn't open,” he said. “But they said they’re going to work 24 hours a day.”

And he said that’s what they ended up doing.

Several barn roofs like Dini’s were replaced, and stables were repaired, too.

All the water is gone, and Dini said the track looks as good as it did before the storms.

“Like nothing happened,” he said. “They did a really good job.”

Even though track officials had to delay the barn area’s opening for horses and trainers to Nov. 4, and postpone the start of training to Nov. 6, Tampa Bay Downs is now in the homestretch leading to the first race. Dini said he and other trainers can’t wait to give their horses a run for the money.

Once the season starts on Nov. 20, races are typically held every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, through early May.