Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Selections for Saturday, Dec. 23
RACE 1
CASH DANCE closed well to finish second last out. She figures to get a solid pace in front of her again tonight and looks best with McKee picking up the mount. MISIA SEKIGUCHI ran third in a tougher race in her last start and looks dangerous with Lebron named to ride. PINK FREUD LIVE has two wins over this track and is a contender.
RACE 2
CARLIE Q ran a non threatening sixth last out but that was against better and it was her second race back after a six month layoff. She drops in for a tag tonight and looks best with Outzs aboard for Larry Holt. MAGICAL MOTION just missed in her debut race in Indiana back in June. She has posted a couple of solid works and is the one to beat. BLUE RIDGE GIRL fits with these.
RACE 3
MISS CATWOOD comes off of two dull efforts but drops in class and loves the Turfway surface. Look for a much improved effort in this one. JERSEY CHASER has had a solid year for Eric Reed finishing in the money in 6 of her 8 races. She also takes the class drop and will be tough at this level. ERIN’S WISH moves up in class after being claimed from a winning effort at Churchill. She has to be respected despite the class hike.
RACE 4
DAYIN DEAUVILLE just missed in her last race and should move forward off of that effort. She will be rallying from just off of the pace and rates the edge in a well matched bottom claimer. CATHERINE EUGENIA was a winner in her Turfway debut beating a couple of runners who ran back tonight in the first race. Check out that result before betting this one. DISONES PRETTY comes off of solid races at Churchill and is a definite threat if she handles the poly.
RACE 5
COLT WESTON didn’t beat much in his win here on opening night but he did it impressively. Don Combs did a good job getting him ready for that one and he can make it two in a row with McKee back aboard. BENEDICTION drops in class and has the speed to be on or near the lead throughout. He is the one to catch. MR GREY also drops to the bottom after an even effort last out and anything close to his best would make him tough to beat
RACE 6
BIG AXE has run well in all four of her races for Kellyn Gorder. She closed well to finish third last out and will appreciate the added distance tonight. Give her the slight edge in what looks like a well matched 2 year old race. IN THE MOOD was overmatched in a very tough allowance race at Churchill but faces much easier in here and looks like the one to beat. SHARED SILENCE beat the top pick last out and has to be respected.
RACE 7
MUSTANG CAT was no match for an impressive winner last out but held on well to finish second after pressing the pace throughout. He cuts back to 6-1/2 furlongs for this one and gets the nod with Franklin picking up the mount for Michael Ewing. BURCIAGA just missed in his debut for Larry Holt. He should move forward and figures to be the one to beat. THE QUEENS JULES is one of several first timers in here from good barns. Watch the board for clues.
RACE 8
AUSTIN RAY just missed in his debut and appears to be ina good spot to pick up his maiden win for Ward with Cruz back aboard. HANSEN GONE WEST is still a maiden after ten tries but he has the speed to be dangerous tonight. AGENTMULDER was two lengths behind the top pick last out and is a contender.