Tampa Bay Downs opens Wednesday with a nine-race card jammed with big fields, portending another eventful winter of action at the Oldsmar, Fla., oval. Horsemen have reconvened at Tampa from a wide variety of destinations ahead of a 2020-21 meet that runs through May 2. That melting-pot effect is one of numerous compelling aspects to a 90-day meet that peaks in early March with the Tampa Bay Derby. Tampa became a primary focus of many offtrack horseplayers earlier this year when the track extended its traditional season by remaining open when most other tracks were closed because of the growing coronavirus pandemic. Racing was extended beyond the scheduled closing date of May 3 all the way through July 1 to accommodate horsemen and bettors otherwise lacking available options. Trainers not only are back in droves, many of them eager to escape the approaching winter conditions up north, but fans also will be welcome, too. Tampa went spectator-free in mid-March, owing to the pandemic, but it was announced last week that fans are welcome at this new meet, assuming they adhere to certain health protocols. :: Want to get your Past Per-formances for free? Click to learn more. “We believe it is important to listen to and respect all viewpoints, but our biggest duty is doing everything possible to keep our customers and employees healthy,” Tampa general manager Peter Berube said in a press release. “Without fans at the track, racing loses some of its excitement and charm, and our ontrack business suffers.” Six races on a Wednesday opener that begins at 12:25 p.m. Eastern drew oversubscribed fields of 14, with a starting limit of 12 for main-track races and 10 for turf races. The feature, race 8, is the lone allowance of the day, a $21,250 first-level race that drew a field of nine going 6 1/2 furlongs. The opening-day forecast calls for sunshine and a high of 81. Gerald Bennett, the perennial leading trainer who sent out 61 winners at the extended 2019-20 meet, is foremost among the backstretch returnees, while Antonio Gallardo, the leading jockey with 122 wins, also is back to head a solid riding colony. Tampa begins by racing three days a week (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday) before adding Sundays on Dec. 20. Christmas (Dec. 25) and Easter (April 4) are dark, while the only Thursday of racing comes Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve). The stakes schedule remains virtually the same as in seasons past, with the biggest days being Feb. 6 (Sam F. Davis) and March 6 (Tampa Bay Derby). The first two stakes, the Inaugural and Sandpiper, are set for Dec. 5. Purses for many stakes include bonuses restricted to registered Florida-breds. Purses remain essentially the same as in recent years, which is to say they lag well behind tracks such as Aqueduct and Oaklawn Park conducting meets during the same time frame. Maiden specials start at $21,000, with allowances only worth marginally more. For the first time at Tampa, 2-year-olds will not be permitted Lasix treatment, in accordance with the International Medication Protocol. Richard Grunder, the Tampa race-caller since 1984, is back for his 37th season in the announcer’s booth.