Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
*Note: First race post time is now 5:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday until further notice.
Battaglia selections for Friday Feb. 9
RACE 1
BODLER comes off of a solid effort at this level and has the speed to make the lead from his outside post. KITTEN FOR GRANNY has been idle since Kim Hammond claimed him back in September. He is training well for his return and figures to be running at the end. RED BLUE AND TRUE woke up last out and is a solid threat.
RACE 2
TIZWAYORTHEHIGHWAY stopped badly last out going a mile but is back in a sprint and drops in for a tag for the first time. He appears to be in a good spot to get his maiden win in this one. MIKEBRAVOZEROTHREE is a shipper from Tampa who comes off of some decent efforts and is the one to beat. INFLATE is a well-bred first timer.
RACE 3
INGADORE didn’t fire last out but just missed in his prior race. A return to his best form would be good enough to win this one. PLUMES just missed when dropped to this level last out and is definitely the one to beat. ENHANCED EDITION is a contender.
RACE 4
SHAKAKAN takes the big class plunge which is not a good sign but she figures to go right to the lead and anything close to her best makes her a winner against bottom claimers. PROM THEME has a solid record over this track and comes off of a nice win. She is the one to beat. SCAT LADY also drops to the bottom and looks like a contender.
GIBBY is a talented runner in the capable hands of Scott Lake who doesn’t ship too many runners to Turfway. She lost her best chance when she was bumped around leaving gate last out and the winner of that one came right back to win a stakes race in New York next out. Give her the edge in a very good renewal of the Cincinnati Trophy. STREETLADY is undefeated in two career starts and will be running late in a race loaded with early speed. FAIRYLAND is a classy runner from the barn of Wes Ward who won easily here back in December. She is definitely capable of winning with Garcia back aboard.
RACE 6
MARK MY WAY looks best in a fairly weak bottom claimer. OWL CREEK woke up last out and will be running at the end. HEAT IT UP RICH is a contender.
RACE 7
RANGERS FUNNY GIRL comes off of a game front running win but is capable of rating just off of the pace tonight. She rates the edge in a well matched claiming test. CELTIC GOLD was beaten less than a length by the top pick last out and is capable of another solid effort in here. POMEROYS UPRISING has been in the money in seven of her last eight and has to be respected.
RACE 8
HAY NET is still winless after 14 tries but appears to be in a good spot to get than maiden win tonight. SIMMARDYER’S BOY drops to the bottom and looks dangerous at this level. LEFT FOR DEAD has only had one start and should improve.
RACE 9
SWEET ELLA was no match for a runaway winner last out but was well clear of the third place finisher in that one. That was her first start since May and she figures to move forward tonight. Give her the edge. TRIVIAL has run well in both of her races over this track. She has the tactical speed to be in contention throughout and will be tough to beat. DUBAIAN moves up in class after a good looking debut win and should handle the added distance.
RACE 10
MUSTANG CAT has been a beaten favorite in her last two but gets blinkers for the first time and posted a recent bullet work at the Training Center. MAYO’S BID and BURCIAGA both have good early speed and will like the cutback to 5-1/2 furlongs. They have to be respected in what looks like a very good maiden race.