Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Selections for Wednesday, Dec. 20
RACE 1
HOLD MY PURSE hasn’t shown much recently and has been off since September but he loves the Tukrfway Poly. Look for a big improvement and give him the edge in this bottom claimer. THELASTTHUNDER is a solid performer at this level and ran well last out over this track. He is definitely the one to beat. DISCREET OFFICER rates a chance.
RACE 2
BIG RALPH dropped in class to get his maiden win last out and appears to be in a good spot to make it two in a row with Franklin back aboard for Jerimiah O’Dwyer. BAKU DANCER is back in against bottom claimers and has the speed be on or near the lead throughout. He will be tough to catch. BRO STROLLwill be running at the end.
RACE 3
BARRISTER JIM prefers more distance but he ran well in his Turfway debut last out and has enough early speed to be in contention throughout. He rates the edge with Sarvis back aboard. MAC THE MAN ran evenly in his first race back after a nine-month layoff. He likes this track and figures to move forward tonight. MORE THAN NOBLE threw in a clunker last out but is capable of better.
RACE 4
DISORDERLY CONDUCT ran well in his first start back after being claimed by Mike Maker. He will appreciate tonight’s added distance and rates the slight edge with Lebron picking up the mount. BUD’S BAYONET just missed after setting the pace last out. He has the speed to be on or near the lead again tonight and is the one to catch. REEDER fits with these.
RACE 5
HIDDEN GARDEN exits better races at Keeneland and Churchill. She drops to the bottom for her Turfway debut and if she handles the Poly she should be able to beat this bunch. SHE’S OBVIOUS has been second or third in five of her last six races and looks like the main competition. GLISTENING STAR could add value to the gimmicks.
RACE 6
HANSEN’S GIRL was no match for a runaway winner last out but was well clear of the third place finisher in that one. She looks like a solid bet to win this one for Hansen/Maker at short odds. FASHION FACTOR was well beaten last out but that was her first start since July and she had to need the race. Look for her to move forward off of that effort. MY SWEET REWARD is a bit suspect at 6-1/2 furlongs but could be tough if left alone on the lead.
RACE 7
NEVER GROW OLD broke her maiden over this track back in January and has faced much better horses on the turf at Saratoga and Kentucky Downs. Throw out that last performance in a race that was taken off of the turf at Keeneland and she looks like a good bet to get the win for Ward with Garcia up. GREY QUEEN will be running late in a race that figures to have a lively pace. She has been running very well and is the one to beat. TRIVIAL is a lightly raced three-year-old who fits well in here.
RACE 8
NEED THE WALL takes the class drop and her best would make her a winner in a fairly weak maiden claimer. SURELY A BULLET woke up last out and looks like the one to beat. HEP TO GO will be running late.