Turfway Park provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Thursday, Dec. 29 – picks brought to you by Mike Battaglia
RACE 1
LABRADOR was second in his debut and should move forward off of that start. Give him the edge in the opener. MR D’S WAY drops back in for a tag and figures to be the one to beat at this level. DISTANT MOON exits the same race as the top pick and is a contender with Jack Gilligan back in the irons.
RACE 2
ALITTLECOMPLICATED comes off of a game win at Churchill and can win this one if she handles the move to the Poly. MY CALENDER GIRL comes off of a solid effort and has a good record here at Turfway. She is the one to beat. WAY TO THE BANK fits with these.
RACE 3
MYKINDACAT has been a beaten favorite in several of her races in Florida but figures to win this one if she draws in off of the also eligible list. MATCHBOOK LILLY has also lost at short odds in her last three but looks like the one to beat. PURSUED has been off since May but is in the capable hands of Phil Sims and will be tough despite the layoff.
RACE 4
FLYAWAY KITTEN is a filly from the Maker barn who takes on the boys in here. She faded after pressing the pace in a tough maiden race at Keeneland but appears to be in a good spot to win tonight. EL BONITO stretches out after a couple of runner up finishes. He should get a good trip from the inside post and looks dangerous with Lezcano up. LO’S JOURNETY woke up in his last two and is a contender.
RACE 5
HARD LUCK MONK rates the slight edge in a well matched bottom claimer. ENLISTED MAN has just two wins in forty six starts but just missed in her Turfway debut and may move up on the Poly. VALIDATED BLARNEY is a contender.
RACE 6
KIAWAH’S WARRIOR was claimed off of a winning effort by Kim Hammond who moves him up in class for his return. He is capable of the repeat score. SERGIOS PRIDE has been off since May but Susan Anderson’s horses have been running well and this one fits with these. INDIANA CHARLIE ran poorly when he tried two turns last out but won back to back sprints prior to that one.
RACE 7
WALKING THE KITTEN has been in the money in eight of her nine races this year for Mike Maker. She prefers more distance but has a class edge on this field and should win the Channing Hill picking up the mount. CITY WITHOUT PITY showed huge improvement in her first try on the Turfway surface. She faces much tougher in here but if she makes an easy lead she could be hard to catch. BELLA BE PROUD also won over this track and is a threat.
RACE 8
PATTY’S MISCHIEF has been off since September when she broke her maiden at Mountaineer. She shows no works since that start but Aaron West is having a terrific meet and she gets the nod. PIPPA DIA was a game winner her in her last race and is the one to beat. SCENTSATION fits with these.
RACE 9
HEAT IT UP RICH beat several of these same runners last out and looks best with Lezcano picking up the mount for Aaron West. INNOCUOUS finished a neck behind the top pick and will like the added distance. NUMBER ONE was a close up fourth in that same race and can’t be overlooked.