Turfway Park provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Thursday, Dec. 22 – picks brought to you by Mike Battaglia
NIFTY FIFTY loves this track and comes off of a game score last out. He is capable of making it two in a row with Outzs back aboard for Cliff Wilkinson. TACOMA PARK just missed against the top pick after taking the lead in the stretch. He figures to be the main competition again tonight. CAM moves up in class after a sharp win.
RACE 2
BLUSH BE GONE scored at big odds last out. She figures to be one of the favorites tonight but appears to be in a good spot for another win. MOJA NAGRODA runs her best races here at Turfway and is the one to beat. ANDMOREEXCUSES fits in here.
RACE 3
KAYLA’S KITTEN was well beaten as the favorite last out but Wes Ward drops him in class and he looks like a good bet to get his maiden win at this level. FUTURE’S FIRST broke poorly in his debut for Mike Maker and can be expected to run much better tonight. CACAO KIKG has only had one start and should improve.
RACE 4
SKY FIRE was no match for an impressive front running winner last out but ran well to finish second. A similar performance would make him a winner in here. OLDFASHION JUSTICE takes a big class plunge and will be tough at this level. INDY RHYTHM is a solid contender.
RACE 5
WEEKEND WISH regained her winning ways last out with a sharp win at Churchill. She has a solid record over this track and looks best with Channing Hill picking up the mount for Billy Gowan. PRINCESS DINAH is good right now. She has finished in the money in nine of her last ten and can’t be left out of the exotics. DELANTERA has been off since July but has the class to be dangerous.
RACE 6
BELA MENINA was second in her Polytrack debut and should improve off of that performance. She gets the nod in this bottom claimer. TORNADA finished third after pressing the pace throughout in her last race and looks like the one to catch. MILLENNIUM STAR ran poorly last out but is capable of better.
RACE 7
FROST OR FRIPPERY has been hooking better company and has the tactical speed to be in contention throughout tonight. Her best would be good enough to win this one. INVICTUS drops back in for a tag and looks like the main competition. PROPOSITION JOE is solid at this level.
RACE 8
VOUCH FOR KITTEN was beaten after opening a huge lead at Keeneland but she finished 14 lengths clear of the third place finisher in that one. She moves back up into a maiden special tonight but appears to be in a good spot to get her maiden win for Wes Ward. SUDDEN FAME moves to the barn of Tom Drury for her Kentucky debut and if she takes to the Poly she will be dangerous. PARTY OF FOUR flashed speed in her debut back in March and has been working steadily for new trainer Mike Maker.
RACE 9
JAZZY KATHY is riding a two-race win streak and looks best with Mojica back aboard for Genaro Garcia. RULELIKECLEOPATRA comes off of a couple of dull efforts but likes the Poly and drops to the bottom. BYE BYE BUNTING has been off since September but fits with these.