Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Selections for Thursday, March 29
RACE 1
BIG LEGACY is a nine-year-old veteran who woke up last out and was an impressive winner. Look for him to make it two in a row tonight. U S CITIZEN is also nine years old. He has been off since July and takes a big class drop but he posted a recent bullet work for Kim Hammond and is the one to beat. CAT’S IN THE MOOD is a definite threat in a tough bottom claimer.
RACE 2
RUNABOUT is a lightly raced colt from the barn of Wes Ward. He showed improvement last out and should be able to win with the class drop. WEATHER REPORT flashed speed in his debut and will move forward off of that effort. PRODIGY’S PRIDE ran against better in New Orleans and fits with these.
RACE 3
SMARTY KITTEN was beaten as the odds-on favorite last out but appears to be in a good spot to make amends with a win tonight. DUE TO HIS CHARM exits the same race as the top pick and a better start makes him dangerous with Franklin picking up the mount. ROUS is a contender.
RACE 4
MALEFICENT QUEEN is a filly who takes on the boys tonight. She likes this track and has the speed to be on or near the lead from the inside post. She could spring the mild upset with McKee back aboard. SABBATARIAN comes off of a couple of solid efforts at Oaklawn. He has never been on the Poly but if he handles the surface he will be tough to beat. CONVINCING is a lightly raced three-year-old who keeps improving and has to be respected.
RACE 5
DYNAMIC RESPONSE has been dull in his last two races but Maker drops him in for a tag tonight. Give him the edge in what looks like a well matched maiden race. BULLET BANDIT has had 16 tries without a win but comes off of a couple of solid efforts and he figures to be a solid contender in this one. KINGDOM’S GATE is also trained by Maker and has to be considered.
RACE 6
BISTRO MONCUR has been running against better at Gulfstream and owns a win over the Turfway Poly. She appears to be in a good spot to get the win for leading trainer Wes Ward. LOVE THE POWER moves up in class after two nice wins. She faces a bit tougher tonight but has to be respected. RULELIKECLEOPATRA loves this track and is a definite threat.
RACE 7
LASER ran very well to finish second in her first race back after a year on the sidelines. She figures to move forward off of that effort and rates the slight edge with Lebron picking up the mount for Michael Ewing. LUCY’S TOWN ran for a tag in her debut but rallied to finish second in a quick race. She stretches out for this one and is the one to beat. ABSTAIN has had only one race and figures to show good speed from the inside post.
RACE 8
TIZ DYNA drops a notch in class and has the speed to be in contention throughout. Give her the edge in this five furlong dash. MORTY has been off since November but takes the big class drops for her return and has to be respected at this level. LIZA JANE is a contender.