Tampa Bay moves turf stakes from Saturday to Sunday

The $100,000, 5-furlong Turf Dash Stakes for horses 4 years old and upward and the $100,000, 5-furlong Lightning City Stakes for fillies and mares 4-and-upward have been moved from Saturday to Sunday, Feb. 21, Tampa Bay Downs vice president-general manager Peter Berube announced Sunday morning.

The races are the centerpiece of the track’s annual Turf Sprint Showcase Day.

“The turf course has taken in excess of 2 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.”

Entries for both races will be taken Thursday.