Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Battaglia selections for Thursday, Feb. 8
RACE 1
MISS CATWOOD comes off of an even effort last out and has a solid record over this track. The drop to the bottom is a bit puzzling but anything close to her best makes her a winner in here. ALITTLEBOURBON ran well to finish second last out and figures to be the one to beat. LA JOLLA D’ORO has the speed to be a contender.
RACE 2
CANNONSHOT comes off of two dull efforts but has been running against better. Look for improvement tonight with Lebron picking up the mount. INPLAY was second against the boys last out and figures to be tough to beat. STANDUPANDFIGHT also takes the class drop.
RACE 3
DON’T TELL MOM and SULLYVIN’S G G hooked up several times at Arlington last year and seem pretty well matched. It’s tough to separate the two but give the slight edge to DONT TELL MOM who has a recent race at Oaklawn and owns a win over the Arlington poly. RUNAWAY ROSIE looks best of the locals.
RACE 4
MY ROCKET LADY showed big improvement last out finishing second after setting the pace. She figures to be on or near the lead again tonight and can win this one with Prentice picking up the mount for Robert Sturgeon. NIGHT BEFORE finished right behind the top pick last out and will be running late with Lebron up. STREET PERFORMER was a sharp maiden winner last out and is a definite threat in what looks like a well matched race.
RADAR VISION comes off of two solid runner up efforts and appears to be in a good spot to pick up her maiden win. ART MAJOR has only had one race and should improve. CHANNEL NINE drops in class and fits with these.
RACE 6
WIDTH just missed last out in a key race where the first and third place finishers both came back to win next out. She looks like a solid bet to handle this field for Tom Drury with Franklin back aboard. IRON LILLY is a consistent runner who has been in the money in five of her seven races and owns a win over this track. She is the one to beat. ROCKET GIRL comes off of a career best performance.
RACE 7
IRISH PROUD was a beaten favorite when dropped to this level last out but can make amends with a win tonight. CHARGIN STORM comes off of a runner up performance and a repeat of that one makes her the one to beat. AMERICAN SPARROW has the speed to be dangerous.
RACE 8
BENEDICTION was very sharp beating bottom claimers here last month. She was dull when shipped to Oaklawn last out but will like the move back to the poly and rates the slight edge. THE BUCKEYE KID is riding a two race win streak and has the speed to be in contention throughout with Ouzts back aboard. RAGING MARKET would win with anything close to her best effort but the layoff and the big class drop is a definite reason for concern. Watch the board in this one.