Turfway Park in Florence provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1
RELENTLESS SPIRIT just missed in his first race back after a ten month layoff. He figures to move forward off of that effort and rates the edge with Sonny Leon back aboard for David Rider. TOP GATO will win with anything close to his best performance, but the big drop is definitely a reason for concern. SALTY RIM has the speed to be dangerous.
RACE 2
APPLE ADDIE has been consistent at this level and gets the nod in a fairly weak race with Ouzts back aboard tonight. BLING BLING THING takes the class drop and figures to run much better at this level. WHODATTCAT is a contender.
RACE 3
MISS OMEARA figures to get a good trip from just off of the early leaders and gets the edge with Ouzts in the irons. V C F PROUD MARY loves this track and is always tough at this level with Lagunes picking up the mount. BYE BYE BUNTING faded after pressing very quick fractions last out and has to be considered.
RACE 4
PI SAIL is in invader from Hawthorne who moves to the barn of Charlie Lawson for his Kentucky debut. He gets Lasix or the first time and gets in light with apprentice Kurtz picking up the mount. MR D’S WAY just missed when dropped to this level in his fist try on the Poly. He looks like a solid threat tonight. STOMPTHEGRAPES is a definite contender.
RACE 5
MALLEABLE has been second in all three of his races over the Turfway strip. He just missed last out and looks best for Doug Danner with Lezcano back aboard. COMING THRU has been off since September but drops to the bottom for the first time and will be tough at this level. TIZON could add some value to the gimmicks.
RACE 6
OMNIVELLY comes off of a dull effort last out but may like the return to the Poly. She gets in light with Erica Murray aboard for Valerie Shanyfelt and can win this one with her best effort. CRAZY WILD BESS is a stable mate of the top pick. She figures to be the favorite and is the one to beat with Rodney Prescott up. DEVIL ALERT is a solid threat.
RACE 7
BELL BY THE RIDGE is a ten year old veteran who looked very sharp winning last out when dropped to this level. He will be rallying from off of what figures to be an honest pace and he is capable of the repeat score for the hot duo of Kim Hammond and Jack Gilligan. COPUS was second behind the top pick last out and has the speed to be on or near the lead. He is the one to catch. BATTEN THE HATCHES just missed last time in a game effort. He is a solid contender but has a career record of three wins from forty eight starts and usually settles for a minor award.
RACE 8
CAPE FLATTERY was no match for a runaway winner last out but has the speed to be on or near the lead tonight and rates the edge with Ouzts aboard for Larry Smith. MICHAEL drops a notch in class after chasing much better last out. His best would make him tough to beat in here. RACE READY fits with these.
RACE 9
COWBOY CHEYENNE faded after making a big middle move last out. He drops to the bottom for this one and appears to be in a good spot to get his maiden score with Quinonez picking up the mount tonight. BACK BEACH ROAD needed his last race after a four month layoff and has the speed to be dangerous. AMBROSE fits with these.