Turfway Park provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Friday, Dec. 30 – picks brought to you by Mike Battaglia
VOUCH FOR KITTEN drops to a career low claiming tag and looks like a stand out for Wes Ward in the opener. CHANT FOR KITTEN runs coupled with the top pick as the Ramsey entry but is trained by Mike Maker. He was eased in his Polytrack debut but came back and posted a decent work last week. Look for much better tonight. YEARNING drops in for a tag for the first time and his best makes him a solid contender.
RACE 2
CAPE CAROLINE was no match for a runaway winner in her Turfway debut but ran well to finish second. She drops in class and appears to be in a good spot to get the win. LADY CHANDLER dropped to the bottom to get her maiden score last out but a repeat of that one could make her the one to beat. G MIRACLE ran poorly last out but is capable of better.
RACE 3
TERRIFYING was making what looked like a winning move in his debut when he bolted to the outside fence. Maker drops him in for a tag tonight and if he runs straight he figures to be the one to beat. MASONIO just missed at this level at Churchill and has the speed to be on or near the lead throughout. THE CURT FOX is a definite contender for Wes Ward.
RACE 4
FIRST GROWTH looked good breaking his maiden when dropped to this level last out. He can make it two in a row with Quinonez picking up the mount for Aaron West. MICHAEL ran well to finish third in his Turfway debut last out and figures to be the one to beat. FIRST ON BOARD rates a chance.
TIZASONG was a beaten favorite last out but should move forward off of the effort and rates a slight edge in a well matched maiden field. SARATOGA SYNDICATE has stopped badly in both of his races but pressed a very fast pace last out and will be tough if he gets loose on the front end. RECAPITULATION had been running in cheaper company but his numbers are good and he has to be respected despite the class hike.
RACE 6
REFLECTION has shown steady improvement for Ben Colebrook and looks to be in a good spot to get his maiden win tonight. FANTASTIC KITTEN debuts for the Ramseys and Wes Ward off of a series of solid works and has to be respected. FUTURES FIRST stopped badly last out but is a contender.
RACE 7
SOUTHWEST TRAIL has been first or second in his last seven races. He cuts back to a sprint distance but figures to be running at the end and gets the nod in what looks like an extremely well matched claiming race. FAST KARMA is another one who is good right now. He comes off of back to back wins and has the speed to be on or near the lead throughout. TOP GATO didn’t break sharply at Churchill and was never in contention but should like the move back to the Poly tonight.
RACE 8
RESCUE comes off of an even effort at Churchill for Tom Drury, who has won with three of his first five runners here this meet. She can win this one with Johnny McKee picking up the mount. SO FANCY is one of two in here for Ben Colebrook. She has been idle since August at Saratoga but has been training steadily and is the one to beat. CHARITY STRIPE is also trained by Colebrook. She ran third in her debut and figures to move forward off of that effort.
RACE 9
DRIFTING WIND disappointed in his last race but has run well at Turfway in the past and a return to his best form would make him a winner tonight. YARDBIRD MISFITS also has a solid local record and is the one to beat. CALL ME RED should be running at the end.