Hurricane Milton caused significant disruption across parts of Florida on the evening of October 9, but the equine community in Ocala and the Tampa Bay Downs track in Oldsmar largely escaped the worst of the storm’s impact.
While the hurricane made landfall as a Category 3 storm near Siesta Key, Florida, roughly 60 miles south of Tampa, its effects were less severe in the areas central to Florida’s horse racing industry.
Tampa Bay Downs Experiences Minimal Damage
Tampa Bay Downs, located about 25 miles from downtown Tampa, reported only minor damage to the front side of the track but did experience considerable flooding in the barn area. Thankfully, the track did not have any horses on-site at the time, as the racing season runs from November 22 to May 3.
Employees of the facility had already left on October 7 to prepare for the storm, and the simulcasting and poker rooms were closed the next day. Due to power outages and downed trees, officials have yet to fully assess the damage.
Margo Flynn, the track’s vice president of marketing and publicity, mentioned that access to the track was still restricted due to downed power lines and debris on the surrounding roads. Flynn explained, “We are under a stay-in-place order,” making it difficult to begin repairs or fully evaluate the extent of the damage.
While Tampa Bay Downs dealt with some challenges, parts of the Tampa metropolitan area experienced more significant damage. Tropicana Field, home to Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays, suffered roof damage from the storm’s high winds.
Despite these setbacks, the impact on horse racing odds for upcoming events at Tampa Bay Downs seems minimal, as the racing season remains weeks away.
Ocala Horse Farms Largely Spared
In Ocala, the hub of Florida’s thoroughbred breeding industry, reports indicated the damage was mostly minimal. George Isaacs, general manager of Bridlewood Farm, shared that they had prepared for the worst but were fortunate to emerge unscathed.
Most horse farms followed standard hurricane protocols, bringing horses inside and keeping them protected from the severe weather. Isaacs confirmed that horses at Bridlewood would be turned out safely after the storm.
The Ocala Breeders’ Sales (OBS) also took precautionary measures, moving its October Yearling Sale up by a day to ensure the safety of horses and personnel before the hurricane’s arrival.
Approximately 75 horses remained on the OBS grounds when Hurricane Milton hit, but they were reported to be in good condition after the storm passed. Alicia Hughes, director of communications for OBS, stated that the Ocala area saw heavy rain but experienced no major damage or power outages, with only minimal debris left behind on the sales grounds.
As Hurricane Milton continues to impact parts of the state, the horse racing community remains resilient, with preparations and precautions keeping both horses and facilities safe. While the storm caused significant disruption, Tampa Bay Downs and the equine area of Ocala are already on the road to recovery.
