FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28 (Preview)
Race 1
It’s tough to separate the two favorites in the opener. FOGGY KITTEN was beaten by KIMBERLEY DREAM last out but Wes Ward has had a terrific meet and rates a slight edge in a close call. WHODUNNITANDRAN looks best of the rest.
Race 2
VOODOOTHATYOUDO will like the move back to the Turfway Poly and a return to her best form could make her a winner for Troy Newton with McKee riding. KNOCKOUT GIRL has been off for a year but Tom Drury is having a very good meet and he has excellent numbers with runners coming off long layoffs. HOLY COOKIE is a solid contender.
Race 3
CONQUEST SORCEROR just missed last out and has the tactical speed to be in good position throughout. She rates the slight edge in this one. ALLIE GRACE finished a neck behind the top pick and looks like the one to beat. DANCING MAGICIAN needed her last race and could improve.
Race 4
TEMPESTUOUS AMY drops to a career low claiming tag and should be able to win this one for the tough team of Connelly and Ouzts. DREAM FEVER is an invader from Hawthorne who has good early speed and will be hard to beat if she gets an easy lead. MY DARK SECRET is a contender.
Race 5: The Prairie Bayou Stakes
Mike Maker saddles the uncoupled entry of FAST AND ACCURATE and CAMELOT KITTEN. FAST AND ACCURATE, winner of last year’s Spiral, has been running well and comes off a solid win last out. He is a versatile runner who should be well placed throughout and gets the nod with Luan Machado picking up the mount. CAMELOT KITTEN is a Ramsey homebred who is a graded stakes winner of more than $1 million. He beat the top pick when they hooked up in the Kentucky Cup Classic and will be running at the end under meet leader Rodney Prescott. ROYAL SON ran the best race of his career to win this race last year and is training sharply for his return. He is a solid contender in an excellent renewal of the Prairie Bayou.
Race 6
QUEEN JEANNE rates the edge in this bottom maiden race. BELLA KRISTINA figures to be the one to beat. PEBBLE SLINGER is a contender.
Race 7
WELLES CROWTHER was disqualified from a game win last out. He prefers more distance but still looks to be in a good spot for the win with Malcolm Franklin picking up the mount for Laura Wohlers. TALE OF FAME has the speed to be on or near the lead throughout and will be tough to catch if he takes to the Poly. EL RUBIO stopped badly last out but makes his third start back after an eight-month layoff and could wake up at nice odds.
Race 8
BROTHER CESARE was a winner when dropped to the bottom last out and is capable of making it two in a row with Machado back aboard. SERVE figures to be the main competition. KOWBOY POSSE rates a chance.