Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Selections for Saturday, Feb. 24
RACE 1
ALITTLEBOURBON comes off of a couple of decent races and appears to be in a good spot to pick up the win. LA JOLLA D’ORO has the speed to be in contention throughout and is the one to beat. THIRTY EIGHT PLUS beat the top pick last out and has to be considered.
RACE 2
TACHI will be rallying from off of what figures to be an honest pace and rates the edge with Parker picking up the mount. RABANITO ran poorly last out but will like the move back to the one-mile distance and is capable of much better tonight. DISCREETLY FIRM has the speed to be on or near the lead and is a solid threat.
RACE 3
LADY ALLEGRA has been off since September and moves to the barn of Kellyn Gorder for her Kentucky debut. She has been training steadily and Gorder has good numbers with returning runners. She gets the nod despite the layoff. IN THE SHOES drops in class and and is definitely the one to beat at this level. SHAMELESSFI comes off of a win at this level and a repeat of that one makes her dangerous.
RACE 4
AGENTMULDER has been a consistent performer over this track. He looks best in this bottom claimer. BRUNERSTOWN needed his last race after a long layoff. He has the speed to be on or near the lead and could be tough to catch. CAPTAIN KITTEN fits with these.
RACE 5
SMARTY KITTEN looked very sharp winning last out. He was claimed from that one and moves up to face much tougher but appears capable of the repeat score. TIZ SARDONIC JOE has been a solid performer in these starter allowance races and is the one to beat. PADDY’S NOTES has the speed to be dangerous.
WHEN TH CATS AWAY was no match for a runaway winner last out but ran well to finish second. This looks like an easier spot and he can win with his best effort. PRIVATE SPOT cuts back to a sprint distance and will be rallying from just off the pace with Prentice picking up the mount. CLEVER NOW rates a chance.
RACE 7
VALENTINE ROSIE drew off to win impressively last out. She figures to be rallying from off of a fast pace and appears to be in a good spot to make it two in a row for Maker with Parker aboard. YOU CHEATED loves this track. She just missed last out and can definitely handle tonight’s added distance. Look for another solid performance from her. BAY OF PUCK looks like a contender.
RACE 8
PROM THEME comes off of back-to-back wins and will be running late in a race that has plenty of early speed. She can continue her winning streak for Doug Danner with McKee back aboard. MISS OMEARA looked sharp winning from just off the pace last out and is the one to beat. CELTIC GOLD fits in here.
RACE 9
SIMMARDYER’S BOY is lightly raced and gets the nod in a fairly weak maiden claimer. GALACTIC PUNCH beat the top pick last out and will be running at the end. COMEDY ZONE has the speed to be dangerous.