Lightning City Stakes, Turf Dash moved to Sunday

After all turf races were moved to the main track last weekend because of heavy rain, officials at Tampa Bay Downs have made the preemptive call to delay their upcoming Turf Sprint Showcase Day by 24 hours.

The $100,000 Turf Dash and its filly-mare counterpart, the $100,000 Lightning City, both will be run Sunday at Tampa in Oldsmar, Fla., instead of Saturday, as was originally scheduled. Entries for both five-furlong turf races will be drawn Thursday.

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Periodic rain is in the local forecast this coming week, most notably on Friday, so it is questionable whether turf racing can resume at Tampa before the twin turf sprints are run Sunday.

Tampa general manager Peter Berube said Sunday in a media release that the turf course “has taken in excess of two inches of rain the last two days, with more rain forecast during the week. By switching the races . . . 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 Sunday.”

A course record was set over very firm going last year in the Turf Dash when Faction Cat went in 53.97 seconds. Jean Elizabeth lowered the record for the Lightning City the same day when finishing in 55.09.

Two turf routes are among the more attractive races carded for Wednesday, when another four-day race week begins at Tampa, but conditions might force them to be transferred to the main track, too. First post for a nine-race program composed entirely of maiden and/or claiming races is 12:15 p.m. Eastern.

Tampa continues to permit ontrack spectators willing to adhere to strict health protocols, including social distancing and mandatory facewear. The track will admit up to 2,500 fans to its next big stakes date, March 6 (Tampa Bay Derby Day), with a $15 general admission (plus a service fee via required pre-purchase) in effect.