Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
*Note: First race post time is now 5:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday until further notice.
Battaglia selections for Saturday, Jan. 27
RACE 1
LAGOON OF DIAMONDS is riding a three-race win streak for Kim Hammond and appears to be in a good spot to make it four. ROSKI looked good winning last out and is the one to beat. INKLING (AUS) is a seven year old who has been away from the races for almost 2-1/2 years. He is in the capable hands of Wes Ward but it would be tough to take him in this spot.
RACE 2
ARATHORN drops to the bottom and his best would make him a winner at this level. FUJITA FIVE prefers more distance but will be running late and has to be considered. ARBORETUM hasn’t shown much in recent races but Lebron picks up the mount.
RACE 3
TELL HER YES will be running at the end in a race that figures to have a fast pace. She has been running on the dirt but shouldn’t mind the move to Poly and rates a slight edge in a well matched race. MISS FRANK E comes off of two front-running wins. She doesn’t figure to make the lead tonight but she can rate just off of the pace and she loves this track. TICKET TO RICHES should get a good trip from the inside post.
RACE 4
SMARTY KITTEN was second when dropped to the bottom at Churchill and owns a win over the Turfway strip. He can win this one for Wes Ward with Garcia aboard. DOUBLE SENCE has been dull in his last two but drops in class and could wake up tonight. MR GREY fits with these.
RACE 5
GREENHORN drops back to the bottom and hooks a fairly weak bunch. Give him the edge. PURPLE SMOKE comes off of a decent effort and is capable of running well. THAMAAN is a contender.
CHILDHOOD was overmatched at Keeneland and flashed good speed in a race won by her stable mate last out at Churchill. She has been off since November but faces easier competition and has been training steadily for Wesley Ward. PERFECT DIAMOND ran poorly in her two races over this track last year but is very good right now. She figures to be the one to beat. IRON LILLY comes off of a game win and has to be respected.
RACE 7
UNION RATE makes his third start back after coming off of a long layoff. He figures to get a good trip from the inside post and rates the edge with Ty Kennedy back aboard. HAY NET just missed last out. He is a bit suspect at the onemile distance but is definitely the one to beat. COMMAND THE STARS has had only one race and is eligible to improve.
RACE 8
RAREST QUALITY came off of a four-month layoff to break his maiden against bottom claimers. He is in a good spot to make it two in a row tonight. LOVELL has the speed to be on or near the lead and figures to be the main competition. REALITY fits in here.
RACE 9
WITNESSADREAM came off of a 14-month layoff to finish second last out. He figures to move forward off of that one and looks best with Lebron back aboard for Mike Maker. STEFAN O’EISHEN was just a nose behind the top pick last out and figures to be the one to beat. CONFISCATE has the speed to be on or near the lead and has to be respected.
RACE 10
SITEENPARKSIDELANE drops to the bottom and hooks a weak maiden field. He looks like a good bet to handle this bunch. JIMMYS INTHE HOUSE is a first timer from the Ward barn who figures to be the main competition. AGENTMULDER rates a chance.