Turfway Park provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Thursday, Jan. 05 – Picks brought to you by Mike Battaglia
SWEET ROCK closed strongly to win in her first race over the Turfway poly. There is plenty of early speed in this one and she is capable of a repeat score. MY REGENCY LADY drops back to the bottom and will be tough at this level. WILD CARD HIT looked good last out but will have to come from off the pace tonight.
RACE 2
VENETIAN just missed against better and should win on the class drop. TRULY TRUDY has the speed to be on or near the lead and is the one to catch. BUY OR STEAL is a solid contender.
RACE 3
MAIN MAN MIKE was beaten as the odds on favorite last out but should move forward off of that one and can make amends with a win in here. BIG JOHNNY D comes off of a couple of even efforts and is a contender with Jimenez picking up the mount. Z LUCKY fits in here with Abel Lezcano in the irons.
RACE 4
DELANTERA loves this track and comes off of a sharp win last out. She looks like a good bet to make it two in a row for Doug Danner with Mojica picking up the mount. TOO COOL has been in the money in nine of her last ten races and if she takes to the poly she is the one to beat. KIMSTRONG moves up in class after a win and is a contender.
RACE 5
CAPTAIN KITTEN faded after making a solid middle move last out against much better. He looks like a solid bet to win this one with Jimenez picking up the mount for Jamie Grubbs. SIR GARY is a seven year old with just one career win but he runs well over this track and is the one to beat. ALL BLINGED OUT needed his last race after a five month layoff and can improve.
RACE 6
FOREST MIST has never been on the Poly but drops to a career low claiming level and gets Lasix for the first time. If he handles the track he should win this one. HE’S A DANDY CANDY comes off of two solid efforts over the Turfway strip and figures to be the main completion. STATELY OAK has the tactical speed to be in contention throughout.
RACE 7
CURIOUS RUTH has been off since July but has been training well for her return. She has run well over this track in the past and gets the nod in a well matched sprint. MISCHIEVIOUS KAT moves up in class after a win and a repeat of that one makes her the one to beat. GRACE MARGARET has been off over a year but is also training well for Stephen Lyster who has solid numbers with runners off the layoff.
RACE 8
HEARTBREAK HILL comes off of a couple of dull races but that was against much better at Keeneland and Churchill. She broke her maiden over this track and should be able to regain her winning ways tonight. MISS KNUCKLEHEAD is another Lyster runner who comes back after a layoff. She has the speed to be dangerous on the class drop. GENERAL’S JEWEL is a contender.
RACE 9
WILLIN’ GRACE just missed last out and looks best in a weak bottom maiden race. THISONEISMINE was well beaten by the top pick last out but figures to be the main competition. DIRECTIONER could win this one with her best race but her two starts over this track were both poor.