Turfway Park in Florence provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meet.
SATURDAY, MARCH 4
BLEW BY TOO was a beaten favorite last out but a return to her best form would make her tough to beat in the opener with John McKee back aboard. MISS OMEARA has been very consistent lately and figures to be the main competition. NOT SIMPLY SIMON rates a chance.
RACE 2
JAZZY KATHY looked good winning last out and a repeat of that performance would be good enough to win again tonight. ONE BUCK ROMA has run well in all of his races over the Turfway strip and has to be respected. HIGH MYSTERY stopped last out but is capable of adding some value to the gimmicks.
RACE 3
MAGNETIC START ran against a tougher field last out and finished third. He could post the mild upset in this bottom claimer. DELIVERANCE DAY is riding a four race win streak and figures to be the one to beat. ARBORETUM fits with these.
RACE 4
CARMELA was no match for an impressive front running winner last out but was well clear of the third place finisher. She appears to be in a good spot to get her maiden win with Quinonez back aboard for Ben Colebrook. MISSINGDIXIE is a three year old taking on the older runners but she drops in for a tag and figures to be tough at this level. NATIVE has been idle since she was claimed back in August but moves up in class for her return which is a good sign with Gilligan aboard tonight.
RACE 5
PESKY CAT has been idle since a game win back in December. He doesn’t show any works but Tom Drury usually has his runners ready and this one gets the nod in a tough optional claiming race. SWIFT ONE overcame a poor start to break his maiden at first asking for Wesley Ward. This looks like a tougher spot against much more seasoned rivals but he is capable of another solid performance. SAINT PRADO is good right now and has to be considered.
RACE 6: THE JOHN BATTAGLIA MEMORIAL STAKES
EN HANSE is one of five runners entered in the Battaglia by leading trainer Mike Maker. His best races have come over the Turfway poly and he was particularly impressive drawing off to win the WEBN in near record time. He gets the nod in what looks like a very well matched field. HOT DAD is also trained by Maker. He was a close up third in a very tough race last out behind the undefeated Cowboy Culture and Girvin., who came back to score an upset win in the Risen Star last Saturday. If he takes to the poly he will be hard to beat. IT’S YOUR NICKEL is lightly raced and improving with every start for Kenny McPeek. If he continues to move forward he is definitely capable of springing the mild upset.
RACE 7
CHARMING CLARE cuts back to six furlongs after two straight wins going a mile. She figures to be rallying from off of the pace and is capable of extending her streak for Maker and Jimenez. MARQUEE CAL GAL has been idle since a narrow loss in the Holiday Inaugural back in December. She doesn’t have any published works but is in the capable hand of Phil Sims and is the one to catch. SECRETARIAT HUMOR came off of a long layoff to win last out and is a solid contender.
RACE 8
MYDRINKSELECTION comes off of a couple of solid efforts over the Turfway strip and looks much the best of the ones who have started. SHEZAPPEALING debuts for Charlie LoPresti off of a series of steady works at Keeneland. Watch the board for clues on this one. MOSTLY AWESOME was well beaten by the top pick last out but that was her first start and she could improve.
RACE 9
SAN NICOLO drops in class and has the speed to be on or near the lead. Anything close to his best makes him a winner in the finale. WARRIOR PRINCE looks second best. CHRISTOPHER K comes off of an easy maiden win.