Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides expert picks to the Northern Kentucky Tribune during the live racing meets.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Race 1
FEARLESS KITTY cuts back to six furlongs and is back in against bottom claimers. He gets the edge in the opener. JENNYSREGALMAN didn’t break sharply last out and was never in contention. A better start makes him dangerous. SOUTHERN CROSS needed his last race after a long layoff and could improve.
Race 2
CONGRUITY is an invader from Gulfstream who takes a big class plunge. The drop is a reason for concern but anything close to his best makes him a winner in here. BURNT BLUFF has shown improvement in his last two and can run well again tonight. BLUEGRASS BEAT is a contender.
Race 3
DHAFEERA was a beaten favorite in her Turfway debut but may have needed that race. She figures to improve tonight and looks best with Machado picking up the mount for Brett Santangelo. CHERRY GANACHE looked good in her maiden win for Wes Ward but is a 3-year-old taking on the older runners and may be over bet. HEADFIRST fits with these.
Race 4
ACCESSORIZING just missed in her first try over the Turfway Poly. She should move forward off that one and can win with Prescott picking up the mount for Michael Lauer. RULELIKECLEOPATRA has been a beaten favorite in three of her last four but is always tough over this track. BUDGET CUT will be running at the end.
Race 5
GET TOUGH comes off a sharp win for Tom Drury and has the speed to be on or near the lead throughout in this one. He looks like a solid bet to make it two in a row with Franklin back aboard. GUNNY ROO didn’t show much last out but posted a recent bullet work for Wes Ward and can be expected to improve. LEO MEISTER fits in here.
Race 6
ETERNAL POWER ran well to finish second last out and has the speed to be on or near the lead tonight. He can win this one with a similar performance. UNITY was running well against better but last out faded badly after hesitating at the start. The drop in for a tag isn’t a good sign but anything close to his best would make him tough to beat. ALDO’S KITTEN debuts for the Ramseys and Mike Maker and has to be respected.
Race 7
BIG IRON is eligible for non-winners of three but has been running well over this track and gets the nod in what looks like a very well matched field. SNOW LEOPARD is still running well at age nine and definitely fits in here. MISTER POLLARD and FORERUN run coupled for Kim Hammond and both have the speed to be dangerous.
Race 8
SHE BE STRIKING is a California invader who moves to the barn of Susan Anderson for her Kentucky debut. She had a couple of solid runner-up efforts on the Santa Anita turf and her best would make her a winner tonight. ST. LOUISE ran well back in December, finishing second behind a repeat winner. She is improving and looks dangerous in this spot. STEREO VIEWING is a solid contender in a tough maiden test.
Race 9
SHE’S GOT FRIENDS has won three of five and should be able to handle the stretch-out to a flat mile tonight. She looks best with Franklin back aboard for Pat Huffman. SOUR PEACH was a game runner-up last out and likes this track. She is the one to beat. HAUTE PROSPECT drops back to the bottom and is a solid threat.