Turfway Park provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13
SURPRSINGLYPERFECT woke up when dropped in for a tag in his last race at Woodbine. He moves to the barn of Kelly Ackerman for his Kentucky debut and gets Lasix for the first time. His best makes him a winner in the opener. SYROX moves back up in class after a solid effort last out and is in the one to beat. CALLFORHELP make his third career start and Jimenez picks up the mount.
RACE 2
PERSIAN KING rates the slight edge in a well matched bottom claimer. DOURO comes off of a good third place effort and figures to be dangerous. LOLLIPOP has been off September but has the speed to be a contender with Ouzts picking up the mount.
RACE 3
HOUSTON FIRE looked good winning at this level last out and is capable of making it two in a row for Eric Reed with John McKee back aboard. KIAWAHS WARRIOR is a bit suspect at this distance but will be on or near the lead and is the one to catch. PYRO CITY could wake up and add value to the gimmicks.
RACE 4
TAKE THE LEAD has had gate problems in both of his races. He drops in class tonight and a better start could make him a winner at this level. OOPS I AM also takes the class drop and figures to be running at the end with Lagunes back in the saddle tonight. HIGH MOON is a first timer from the barn of Bill Cowans who has to be respected.
RACE 5
AIR RAID was no match for a runaway winner last out but was well clear of the third place finisher in that one. He appears to be in a good spot to pick up his maiden win tonight. CHRISTOPHER K should like the added distance. His best would make him the one to beat. BIG BROWN SEVENS exits the same race as the top pick and can’t be left out of the gimmicks.
RACE 6
THREE SHEETS ran poorly last out but that was just her second race back after a five month layoff. She drops back to the bottom and likes the six and a half furlong distance so expect a much better performance from her tonight. PROM THEME loves this track and comes off of a game win. She is always tough at this level. COOPER’S KEEPER is another one who loves the Turfway surface. She has won four of her five races here and is a solid threat in a tough race.
RACE 7
FINNEGAN and GAULTIER are both trained by Wesley Ward but are uncoupled in the wagering. They both come off of solid efforts over this track and posted identical works here on December 31st. Give the slight edge to FINNEGAN whose race came after a long layoff and he figures to improve. GIANT RED ran poorly last out but is capable of better.
RACE 8
WALKING THE KITTEN comes off of an impressive front running win but is capable of coming from just off of the pace tonight with Rafael Hernandez picking up the mount. TOUCH AND SMILE ran well to finish third in the Holiday Inaugural. She should like the added distance and will be tough to beat in this spot. MOMAMEAMARIA also exits the Holiday Inaugural. She probably needed that race and has the class to be a solid contender.
RACE 9
V C CHARLIE drops to the bottom for the first time and gets the nod in here. VICTORY SALSA comes off a nice maiden win and can run well again tonight with McKee back aboard. INNOCUOUS fits with these.