Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Selections for Friday, Dec. 22
RACE 1
TEACUP SWIRL has the speed to be on or near the lead throughout and rates the edge in the opener. PINK FOR ME just missed last out and a repeat of that one makes her the one to beat. LA JOLLA D’ORO is a solid contender.
RACE 2
ON THE CLOCK drops in class for Maker and the Ramseys and appears to be in a good spot to get her maiden win with Lebron picking up the mount. URAWESOMEBLOSSOM has been in the money in four of her six races and looks like the main competition. RADAR VISION will be running at the end.
RACE 3
MAID ON A MISSION is winless in seven starts this year but drops to the bottom and returns to Turfway, where she has won three of her six races. She looks like a solid bet to regain those winning ways with Prentice aboard for Bert Crawford. WILD ABOUT JACK had to need his last race after a 16-month layoff. He figures to improve and should get a good trip from the inside post. HERMOSA VAQUERA rates a chance.
RACE 4
MEMORIAL BLUE looked good winning last out and a repeat of that one would be good enough to beat this field. EPHRAM S needed some time off after a couple of dull efforts and will like the move back to the Poly. He could run well at nice odds. NOBLE MASTER fits in here.
RACE 5
IN FOCUS ran a decent race in her Turfway debut and will like tonight’s added distance. Give her the slight edge in what looks like a well matched bottom claimer. TAZMANIAN ANGEL moves to the barn of George Leonard and drops in class for her first try on the Turfway Poly. She figures to be tough to beat. BRACKEN BELLE comes off of a solid maiden win and has the speed to be dangerous.
RACE 6
LAGOON OF DIAMONDS looked sharp winning last out and looks like a good bet to make it two in a row with DeLeon back aboard for Kim Hammond. MACANAO was no match for the top pick last out but will be running late in a race that should have a fast pace and looks like the main competition. BEACH HUT is a contender.
RACE 7
IRISH PROUD was no match for a runaway winner last out but ran gamely to finish second in that one. Pat Huffman drops him in for a tag tonight and he looks like a solid bet to win with Lebron picking up the mount. PLUMES is a lightly raced three-year-old from the barn of Tom Drury. He ran poorly last out but faces easier company tonight and is the one to beat. CATINATI will be running late and should appreciate the added distance.
RACE 8
HOWELL MOUNTAIN ran poorly last out at Churchill but that was his first race back after a five-month layoff. He broke his maiden over this track back in March and should be rallying from off of what figures to be a fast pace. Give him the slight edge in a tough race. RED HOT WARRIOR ran well to finish third against a good field last out. He has been going to the lead but has the ability to come from just off of the pace and his best makes him dangerous. SHARM will be running at the end.
RACE 9
FLYING FRANK just missed last out and looks best off of that effort. ONE HOT PAIRADICE finished right behind the top pick last out and figures to be the one to beat again. JUST CHILLIN BOSS fits in here.