Turfway Park in Florence provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
SHORT KAKES pressed the pace against better last out and drops in for a tag tonight. She appears to be in a good spot to get her maiden win with Quinonez picking up the mount. WEDDING DAY KITTEN broke poorly in both of her races and was never in contention. She has had six works since her last start for Mike Maker and can be expected to show improvement. PRINCESS HEART is a contender.
RACE 2
JUDY JUDY JUDY showed nothing in her two races on the Poly but both of those were against much better competition. She drops back to the bottom and if she handles the surface she can win this one. SECRET BETRAYAL has a solid record over this surface. She figures to be tough to beat. MEGA SENNA is a bit erratic but fits with these.
RACE 3
EYE ON THE MONEY showed promise in her debut in a key race at Ellis Park. She went evenly when dropped to this level in her first race back after a four month layoff and should move forward off of that one. ANOTHER STONE also makes her second start back after a layoff for John Hancock whose horses have been running very well recently. CHOCTAW has the speed to be dangerous.
RACE 4
PEPITE was overmatched in his last start but is back in against bottom claimers tonight. He has run well over this track in the past and a return to his best form would make him a winner in what looks like a well matched field. CROOKED COURT is a consistent performer at this level and figures to run well again in this one. BLUEMYMIND is a contender.
RACE 5
CATCH THE FEELING showed improvement in each of his races as a three year old and comes off of two solid efforts on the Gulfstream turf. He has been off since November but if he takes to the Poly he should be able to handle this field. HEAT IT UP RICH has been in the money in his last eight races and is definitely the main competition. MR. SENSIBILITY didn’t beat much last out but did win by fifteen lengths and figures to be dangerous despite the class hike.
RACE 6
SONNY SHORT STACK and PURE LEGACY form a tough entry from the Garret Farm. SONNY SHORT STACK drops in class after showing good speed against better and PURE LEGACY comes off of a win at this level. Both figure to run well again tonight. CHEROKEE CALLIE woke up last out and owns six wins over the Turfway Poly. She looks like the main competition with Jack Gilligan aboard again tonight.
RACE 7
KATIE THE CUTIE drops a notch in class after a solid third place finish last out. She has the tactical speed to be in contention throughout and looks like a winner with Prescott picking up the mount for Steve Fosdick. SHE’S MESSI was just a length and a half behind the favorite last out and Lezcano takes off of the top pick to ride here. COUNTRY SUNSHINE is a definite contender for Eric Reed and John McKee.
RACE 8
CARMENERE was very impressive drawing off to win against a tough field last out. Kim Hammond and Jack Gilligan have been hot this meet and this one looks like she can add another win to their total. SAGE HALL has been off since November but drops in class and moves to the barn of Tom Drury who is very good with runners coming off of the layoff. Look for a much better performance from her tonight with Malcolm Franklin picking up the mount tonight. ROB AND JON’S GIRL is a seven year old veteran who loves the Turfway Poly. She beat the top pick when they hooked up last month and is always dangerous at this level.
RACE 9
RED RAVEN prefers more distance but is the class of this one and looks best for Hammond and Richard Bracho. MY CALENDER GIRL just missed last out at this level and is the one to beat with Quinonez back aboard. GALLANT LADY fits with these tonight with Gilligan picking up the mount tonight.