Turfway Park in Florence provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
FRIDAY, MARCH 10
TUPELO TIDE and DELANTERA renew their rivalry in tonight’s opener. They have faced each other four times here at Turfway and are dead even with two wins apiece. Give the slight edge to TUPELO TIDE who was unruly in the gate and then bumped in the early going last out. DELANTERA was impressive winning last out and she is always tough on the front end. HERONETTA looks best of the rest.
RACE 2
TACOMA PARK comes off of two dull efforts but is back in for a tag tonight. A return to his best form could make him a winner in this spot. STORMY GOING is a nine year old who hasn’t won in quite a while but he could wake up and run well at decent odds. CONQUEST PACEMAKER is definitely the class of this one and figures to improve in this third start back after a layoff.
RACE 3
FLATTER THE QUEEN chased much better in his first two races and drops in for a tag this evening. Give her the edge for Ben Colebrook with Jimenez picking up the mount. HENNINGSEN is also trained by Colebrook. He ran well at this level last out and figures to be the one to beat. PRIVATE SPOT is an invader from Tampa who rates a chance.
RACE 4
THE HANS SUM ONE showed big improvement in his second career start finishing third against an impressive first time starter form the Ward Barn. He has trained well since that race and gets the nod over CARMELO in a close call. CARMELO beat the top pick in his debut and also hooked a tough field last out. Expect another good effort tonight. GOSTISBEHERE closed well to finish third in his debut and is a definite threat in a very good maiden race.
RACE 5
NOSHACKLESHERE stopped badly in his last two races but that was against much better competition. He looked very sharp in his maiden win back in December and rates the edge in a well matched field. KEY TO THE BANK also looked good breaking his maiden at Gulfstream and has been training steadily for Wes Ward since coming to Kentucky. NOBLE WARRIOR drops a notch in class and figures to be tough to beat at this level.
RACE 6
TIZ JOSSELYN was beaten by a couple of these same runners last out in her second race back after an eight month layoff. She figures to move forward off of that one and rates the slight edge with Gilligan picking up the mount for Kellyn Gorder. BIRD STREET comes off of two solid efforts and figures to run well again tonight. SHONI is a solid threat in a wide open race.
RACE 7
KATE N ABS REWARD has a good record over the Turfway strip and appears to be in a good spot to pick up the win. JUDY JUDY JUDY figures to get a good trip from the inside post and has the tactical speed to be dangerous. PUPPY ON A STRING was disqualified from a win last out and definitely fits with these.
RACE 8
HEY MIKE has been in the money in five of his seven starts racing mostly against stakes company. He was an even fourth in the WEBN and rates the slight edge tonight with Quinonez aboard for Mike Maker. VENTRY BAY is a high priced Keeneland sales grad who appears to have talent. He was a beaten favorite last out but will move forward off of that one and should run much better tonight. PRINCE HANSEN is also trained by Maker. He showed big improvement in his second career start and has the speed to be dangerous.
RACE 9
RACE TO THE MOON debuts for Wes Ward who is always tough with his first timers. He figures to be ready to go with Jimenez named to ride. STORMY MISSION has been running well at this level and is the one to beat. ANOTHER SOURCE drops in class.