Cuestion di Tiempo should be along in time at Tampa

Like everyone else, Ignacio Correas was happy to hear this week that Churchill Downs is expected to resume racing in the near future. The Argentine-born trainer has one foot in Kentucky and the other still in Florida, where on Sunday he will be represented by the hard-hitting Cuestion de Tiempo in the featured eighth race at Tampa Bay Downs.

“At least we have something to look forward to,” said Correas.

In the meantime, Correas is hoping to get another big effort from Cuestion de Tiempo, whose four starts at the 2019-20 Tampa meet have resulted in two wins, one second, and one third. In all, the 5-year-old gelding is 4 for 8 on the Tampa turf and 1 for 12 in all other races.

“He’s had a good winter and he’s still doing very well,” said Correas.

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Antonio Gallardo, who enjoyed a three-win afternoon Wednesday when padding his lead atop the local rider standings, has the call on Cuestion de Tiempo, a lukewarm morning-line favorite. Eleven older horses are entered in the $21,000 second-level allowance at five furlongs on the turf, although only as many as 10 can start.

Cuestion de Tiempo, a Kentucky-bred by The Factor, is one of seven entered for an optional $32,000 claiming tag. In fact, both of his wins at the meet have come at this same level.

Other likely favorites in a solid lineup include Philosophy, entered off a rousing victory in which he earned a field-high 94 Beyer Speed Figure, and Lost in Limbo, returning from a six-month layoff for Tom Proctor.

“It looks like a tough little race, but if my horse runs like he’s trained, he should be right there,” said Correas.

Correas actually has been at Keeneland for the past couple of weeks while his assistant Hiram Rosario oversees his 25-horse Tampa string. Spurred by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that has shuttered most other North American tracks, Tampa has added 12 more dates to its meet, which will now run through May 30. Correas said he is considering sending horses across the Florida peninsula to Gulfstream Park when Tampa closes.

“There are so many horses ready to run in Kentucky that it’s going to be tough getting into races,” he said. “You might get 100 entered in some maiden races.”

First post Sunday is 12:40 p.m. Eastern, with the feature set for 4:12 p.m. and the ninth and final race for 4:43 p.m. The forecast for the Oldsmar, Fla., area calls for sunshine and a high of 84.