Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Selections for Saturday, March 24
RACE 1
SPIRIT FLY drops in class for Wesley Ward and looks like a solid bet to get her maiden win against this bunch. MISS DEVINE showed improvement last out and figures second best. URAWESOMEBLOSSOM will be running at the end.
RACE 2
QEYAAS ran well in his last two races and gets the nod with Franklin picking up the mount. BUD’S BAYONET drops to the bottom after a dull effort last out. He is capable of better and is definitely the one to beat. CAM fits in here.
RACE 3
ALWAYS LOVE APRIL comes off of some decent efforts at this level and looks best in a fairly weak field. SWEET ROCK woke up last out and a repeat of that one makes her dangerous. TIZNOW SUNRISE is a contender.
RACE 4
LAND OR SEA is a three-year-old taking on older runners but she has been improving and looks best with Ouzts picking up the mount for Marco Castenada. BRACKEN BELLE has the speed to be on or near the lead throughout. She is a bit suspect at the mile distance but could be tough to catch tonight. DOWNCITY is a definite threat.
RACE 5
OSCEOLA POINT is another three-year-old running against older. He is lightly raced and seems to be moving forward so give him the edge in a well matched field. OOPS I AM is still winless after 21 tries but he beat the top pick last out and has to be considered. OUTRIGHT HOMBRE debuts for Brian Waltz, who won with a first-timer earlier this month.
RACE 6
WHOLE LOTTA RUN stopped badly last out after pressing a fast pace. Larry Smith drops him back in for a tag tonight and he has the speed to be in contention throughout. Give him the slight edge in a tough bottom claimer. THE GORILLA MAN prefers more distance but has a solid record over this track and looks like the one to beat. TETRADACHM is a nine-year-old veteran who is still competitive and comes in off of a sharp win.
RACE 7
MISS OMEARA looked good winning two starts back and had some trouble last out. Look for her to regain her winning ways with Lebron back aboard for Carmine Nocero. SHAKAKAN was claimed when dropped to this level last month. He ran evenly against better last out and figures to be ready for his best performance tonight. ALITTLEBOURBON beat a weak field last out but has the speed to be dangerous again this evening.
RACE 8
HANSEN GONE WEST comes off of a sharp maiden win for Grant Hofmans and Kendall Hansen. He appears to be in a good spot to make it two in a row at short odds with McKee back abaord. NUMBERS NEVER LIE also looked good in his maiden win and a repeat of that one makes him dangerous. RONTOS SOCIETY is a contender.