Turfway Park provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Wednesday, Jan. 04 – picks brought to you by Mike Battaglia
RACE 1
MOONLIT PARK ran well to finish second in his Turfway debut and should improve off of that effort. He gets the edge with Jimenez picking up the mount. DISCREET GLEN likes this track and is always solid at this level. HOUSTON FIRE ran poorly last out but is capable of better.
RACE 2
SHE’S LOVELY is a lightly raced four year old who drops to a career low claiming level. If she takes to the Poly she can win this one. RED RAVEN didn’t break well last out and finished last. She also takes the class drop and a better start from the inside post makes her dangerous. MOVING PARTS fits with these.
RACE 3
A tip of the hat goes out to twelve year old SHAKEYOGROOVETHING who makes is one hundred and first start for Jeff Greenhill who has trained him throughout his entire career. He gets the nod in a well matched race tonight. BATTEN THE HATCHES is another veteran runner who drops in class and will be tough at this level. GTMEOUTAHERESEAMUS didn’t fire last out but is capable of better.
RACE 4
SUCKER PUNCHED drops back in for a tag after chasing better last out. Give him the edge. NEIGHBORHOOD CAT has shown huge improvement in his last two and is the one to beat. SUNSET SANDS rates a chance.
RACE 5
WAR READY was an impressive winner in his Turfway debut against bottom claimers. He faces much tougher tonight but appears to be capable of a repeat score. TIZ SARDONIC JOE ran well to be second in his first start back after being claimed and will be running at the end again tonight. NATIONAL DEFENCE cuts back to a sprint after winning a mile and a quarter. He did run well at this distance at Churchill and has to be considered.
RACE 6
OWL CREEK didn’t break sharply last out and was never in contention as the favorite. A better start may be all he needs to win this one. CROOKED COURT beat the top pick last out and has the tactical speed to be in contention throughout. WAR POINT is a definite contender and shouldn’t be left out of the gimmicks.
RACE 7
NEVER GROW OLD just missed in her debut for Wesley Ward and looks like a solid bet to get her maiden win with Julio Garcia back aboard tonight. DOUBLE OAKED closed strongly after dropping back to dead last in her debut at Churchill. That race was for a tag but she looks like the one to beat despite the class hike tonight. LADY SHACKLEFORD is a contender with Quinonez in the irons.
RACE 8
PARC CELESTE has finished in the money in all eight of her races over the Turfway strip. She drops a notch in class and is capable of winning this one with Quinonez picking up the mount for Bob Pincins. TIZZY BE HOT faded after pressing the pace last out but also takes the class drop and will be tough to beat. MELLO KISSES woke up with a big win last out and is a definite contender.
RACE 9
HANG ON ANNIE should get a good trip from the inside post and looks best in this bottom claimer. PATSY EM comes off of a game win and a repeat of that one makes her tough. DRAMATIZE could run well at decent odds.