Tampa Bay Moves Turf Dash, Lightning City to Feb. 21
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Photo: SV Photography
Horses parade in the paddock at Tampa Bay Downs
Tampa Bay Downs has moved the $100,000 Turf Dash Stakes and $100,000 Lightning City Stakes from Saturday, Feb. 20 to Sunday, Feb. 21, the track's vice president and general manager Peter Berube announced Feb. 14.
The races are the centerpiece of the track's annual Turf Sprint Showcase Day.
"The turf course has taken in excess of two inches of rain the last two days, with more rain forecast during the week," Berube said. "By switching the races to Sunday now, horsemen planning to enter either race will have sufficient time to adjust their training schedules. Our hope is that the turf course will be in its usual excellent condition by next Sunday."
Both the Turf Dash and the Lightning City, the latter restricted to fillies and mares, are for 4-year-olds and up and will be run at five furlongs on the grass course. Entries for both races will be taken Thursday, Feb. 18.