Turfway Park has canceled live racing for tonight due to the extreme cold weather. The track remains open for simulcasting but will close at 6 p.m.
Homestretch resautrant is closed for seating and service but concession stand remains open.
Live racing is expected to resume Friday as scheduled.
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Turfway Park provides expert picks to the Northern Kentucky Tribune during the live racing meets. Tonight’s picks supplied by Bret Battaglia.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 31:
Despite the recent frigid temperatures, the latest information from Turfway Park is that live racing will go on tonight, with shortened post parades.
Race 1
THEA BEE drops in for a tag for the first time after a disappointing effort last time out. She should appreciate the move back around one turn; give her the edge here. SNOW BLOSSOM ran a game second against similar in her last start and looks like the one to beat. VICKIE’S RANSOME shows two decent efforts in two career starts and is a threat.
Race 2
MONKEYWITMYBIDNESS has run well in each of his last two starts since moving back to the Polytrack here at Turfway and rates a slight edge in a wide-open field. I’M A LUCKY GUY has been idle since mid-December when he ran a nice third at this level in his first attempt over the surface. He figures to be running at the end again tonight and would be no surprise here. JUST ANOTHER JOHN moves back down in class and definitely looks capable of winning at this level.
Race 3
REVIVE looks to be coming back to form, already making her fifth start in just over a month after having been off for nearly a year. She shouldn’t mind the switch in surfaces tonight and looks best here. SWEET ROCK has been in the money in three of her last four starts here at Turfway and looks like the one to beat. MISS FRANK E has five wins over the track here and is a contender.
Race 4
GETYOURMINDRIGHT was well beaten as the heavy favorite at Aqueduct last time out in his first start since March. A return to his previous form would make him tough to beat in his second start back from the long layoff. GOTTSACKER was a well-beaten third behind an impressive winner back in early December. He’s inconsistent but has put forth some solid efforts against good company in the past. ANIMO shows a series of sharp works leading up to his return and could be dangerous if he takes to the Polytrack.
Race 5
TRENTON BRIDGE shows two decent efforts in his two starts over the track and should like the move back to sprinting. WIND RHAPSODY looks capable of running well here. DA BULLET drops in class and has to be considered.
Race 6
TAKIN THE SLOROAD looked sharp last time out, drawing off to win by five. A repeat of that effort would again make him tough to beat tonight. GOLDEN GIFT has been off since November when he didn’t fire as the favorite on the grass at Hawthorne. He was in very good form before that one, with four wins and three seconds in eight starts, and he should be able to handle Turfway’s track. UNSTABLED has won two of his last three starts and would be no surprise here.
Race 7
ONE FLEW SOUTH was a very impressive winner in his debut back in November. He’s been training steadily over the surface here for Ward since that one and looks like he’s ready for another sharp performance tonight. FAYETTE WARRIOR is another Ward trainee who had some trouble as the favorite last time out. A cleaner trip tonight could make him tough to beat. ZYPTO was no match for the top pick in his first career start but followed that up with a nice win.
Race 8
DHAFEERA didn’t show much in her two starts at Fair Grounds but drops to this bottom level for the first time tonight and looks like she’s in a good spot to pick up the win. RUSTY HALO has been off since August and could be dangerous if she’s ready. MILLVILLE comes in off a maiden win and is a threat.