Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Battaglia selections for Saturday, Feb. 17
RACE 1
MYOSITIS MYSTIQUE drops to the bottom and will be running late in a race that should have a lively pace. Throw out her last race and she should win this one. TALIAFERRO COUNTY has won two of her last three at this level and looks dangerous. MISS FRANK E should get a good trip from the inside post.
RACE 2
PERSONAL CAT drops a notch in class and appears to be in a good spot to pick up the win. SIMMARDS HEART finished right behind the top pick two starts back and had trouble leaving the gate last out. She is the one to beat. LIZA JEAN has the speed to be a contender.
RACE 3
EASY DOER woke up last out and was an impressive front running winner. He should be on or near the lead again tonight and gets the nod. BARRISTER JIM faded badly in his last start but that was a tougher field and he figures to run much better tonight. FUJITA FIVE will be running at the end.
RACE 4
SEVENHEARTSWARRIOR has been in the money in 7 of his 10 races. He comes off of a narrow loss last out and looks best with Lebron back aboard for Denis Roberson. J DUB has good sped and the inside post. He could be tough to catch. GOOD MAN CHARLIE B rates a chance.
RACE 5
LOUISIANA BROWN evidently had some problems but has come back from a long layoff to win two in a row. Rick Jordan runs him back against bottom claimers and he has the speed to lead all the way again tonight. TAVERNONTHECROW has solid form at this level and figures to be the main competition. CORRECTAMUNDO is a contender.
RACE 6
PATTY’S MISCHIEF has been a beaten favorite in her last two but can make amends with a win in here. DISONES PRETTY has the speed to be on or near the lead and is the one to catch. ALWAYS LOVE APRIL needed her last race after an eight month layoff and should improve.
RACE 7
PRIMED FOR TALENT rates a slight edge in a well matched race. PRAIRIE SCHOONER figures to make the lead. He is a bit suspect at the one mile distance but is the one to catch. SUCCESS PHIL is a solid contender.
RACE 8
TORAZO is good right now. He beat several of these same runners last out and appears to be in a good spot to win another one for Joe Davis with DeLeon back aboard. HOLLYWOOD TALENT was overmatched against Wellabled in his last two. He drops back in for a tag and will be tough at this level. COPPERPLATE was no match for the top pick last out but that was his first race since August and he figures to improve.
RACE 9
FILLY MADISON stands out in a very weak field of bottom maidens. APTITUDEUNBRIDLED ran fourth last out at odds of over 100-1. A repeat of that one makes her the main threat. SCREAMIN DIXIE has early speed.