Turfway Park in Florence provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20
QUE HANSEN just missed at this level last out and looks like a winner at short odds in the opener. MISS FRANK E moves up in class after an impressive maiden score and is definitely the one to beat. MONOGAMY has the speed to be dangerous if she takes to the Poly.
RACE 2
IRISH FILIBUSTER was a beaten favorite when dropped to this level last out but looks like a good bet to make it back to back wins for Maker and Hernandez. VINO SCURO figures second best. JUST A DIXIE DUNK is an invader from Hawthorne who rates a chance.
RACE 3
IN THE SHOES came back after a two-month freshener to finish third and drops back in for a tag tonight. She rates the edge in a well matched sprint. BAYSHORE DRIVE also takes the class drop. She ran well last out and a repeat of that one makes her dangerous. THECLA has been off since April but Aaron West has solid numbers with returning runners and she has the speed to be dangerous with Jimenez in the irons.
RACE 4
PALATINE HILL has won four of his last six races and lost his best chance last out when he broke poorly. He should get a good trip from the inside post and looks like a solid bet to regain his winning ways with Lezcano picking up the mount. ROUS looked good winning two starts back and was a bit overmatched last out. He drops back to the bottom and is the one to beat. BLUEMYMIND is always dangerous at this level.
RACE 5
SCISSORS AND TAPE coasted home in a race that was declared a no contest after a starting gate malfunction that compromised the chances of many of the other runners. He bled in his previous two races but appears to be in a good spot to pick up the win tonight. EMIRATES WONDER closed well to finish third in his Turfway debut and looks like the main completion. CAPE FLATTERY rates a chance.
RACE 6
MR. CHOW stretches back out to a mile after a game win sprinting. He has the speed to be in contention throughout and is capable of the repeat score with Orm back aboard for Thomas Humphries. NEVERADULLMOMENT is a perfect three for three over the Turfway strip. He moves up in class and faces much tougher tonight but he looks dangerous with Lezcano picking up the mount. NORMANDY CROSSING ran poorly after breaking slowly in his first race back after a four-month layoff. Look for a better performance tonight.
RACE 7
MR. SENSIBILITY has been off since October with no published works but he drops in class for his return. Check for late works but if he is ready he should win in here for Ben Colebrook and Quinonez. CONNECT A PEG closed strongly to finish second in his first try over the Turfway surface and he has to be respected. NEGU could add value to the gimmicks.
RACE 8
LAXFIELD ROAD just missed last out and has posted two solid works since that start. Wesley Ward adds blinkers for this one and she rates the slight edge in what looks like a wide open allowance race. TIMIDO is a lightly raced four year old who looked sharp in her maiden win here on New Year’s Day. She cuts back in distance and will be running at the end with Hernandez picking up the mount. MISCHIEVIOUS KAT has been running for a tag but is good right now and has to be considered.
RACE 9
MR. SONG makes his third start back after a long layoff and should be ready for his best effort. He gets the nod in here for trainer Caramori and jockey Lezcano. WARRIOR PRINCE has the speed to be on or near the lead throughout and is the one to catch. CENTER POINTE fits with these with Lagunes aboard.