Turfway Park’s Bruce Battaglia provides daily picks and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Thursday, Dec. 15
KEEPINYOURCHINUP second off the layoff with a top rider and the high numbers will be tough in here if Quinonez can work out a trip from the rail. FRENSHAM comes in off a layoff as well. He has back class and a good post. CARTERS GAP has the speed and hard riding Sonny Leon but speed hasn’t been good at Turfway this meet. Let’s see if he can go all the way but I think KEEPINYOURCHINUP will run by in the stretch.
RACE 2
RULELIKECLEOPATRA last ran at Churchill and likes Turfway. She has the perfect post and with Prescott sure looks tough. BYE BYE BUNTING is off a big layoff for Chip Brownfield. He has the back class to wake up in this spot. JAZZY KATHY goes for two in a row but needs to step it up tonight.
RACE 3
EASTERN MISCHIEF in her second start off a layoff has a good post will be extremely tough in this spot. PERSONAL PARADE with Alonso Quinonez has the numbers to win here.
RACE 4
HOUSTON FIRE making her second start off a layoff but has a good post and a trip over the track, She could get Radosevich and Reed the victory today. PURPLE SMOKE shipping in with Sonny Leon aboard has the speed to win this if he gets loose on the lead. BIG JOHNNY D is turning back in distance for new trainer Jamie Grubbs who does a great job with her stock.
RACE 5
WEEKEND WISH comes in off a big win at Churchill and figures in here to run very well with Joe Johnson in the irons. KIMSTRONG will be closing with the slight drop in class. CAHOKIA has to step it up a little but has a chance to figure in the gimmicks.
RACE 6
DEMARLBORO and GUILTY STREAK are heads above the rest in here both dropping in class and both coming out of tough races with mid 60 numbers. This will be a rider’s race between Gilligan and Osorio.
RACE 7
FROST OR FRIPPERY has the perfect post for the turn back and drop with a good rider he should get the perfect trip and run extremely well. INVICTUS ships in from Hawthorne and has a big shot to run them down in the lane. SHOOT CRAPS has been running at Gulfstream Park West and will have to step it up tonight.
RACE 8
PREEMPTIVE STRIKE is on the turn back with speed and services of top rider Alonso Quinonez. He could get the perfect trip to swoop in and win this. EN HANSE steps up in class but his numbers put him right there tonight. TROUBLED CHARLIE ships in from Mountaineer and tries Polytrack again tonight.
RACE 9
SHE’S MESSI ships from Woodbine and the drop in class should do the trick tonight. STRUMMING is coming back from a big layoff but she has the back class to get there. DRAMATIZE has a trip over the track and could pull off the upset with Gabriel Lagunes in the irons tonight.