Turfway Park in Florence provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17
FROST OR FRIPPERY was a game winner when dropped to this claiming level last out. He has the tactical speed to be in contention throughout and rates the edge with Mojica back aboard for Bill Connelly. RABANITO drops in class after two even efforts against better and figures to be tough to beat. COLTON FIFTY ONE is a contender.
RACE 2
PORRIDGE faded after setting the pace in her first race back after a seven month layoff. She figures to improve off of that one and rates the slight edge with the class drop tonight. REALLYAREYAKIDDIN has been off since October but she drops in for a tag for the first time and will be tough at this level. NO LACA TALENT is a definite contender in a wide open maiden race.
RACE 3
SPARKLE SLEW faded badly in the stretch last out going a mile but will appreciate the cut back to five and half furlongs tonight. Her best would make her a winner in this one. APPLE ADDIE has been very consistent against bottom claimers and has to be respected. CONSORTS RING fits with these with Jimenez picking up the mount tonight.
RACE 4
TUPELO TIDE looked very sharp winning in her first start for trainer Jeff Greenhill. She figures to be on or near the lead throughout and is capable of making it two in a row with Lezcano back aboard. DELANTERA is an amazingly consistent runner from the barn of Doug Danner who has finished in the money in twenty six of her last twenty nine races. She loves this track and is definitely the one to beat. GIRARDONI didn’t break sharply last and was never in contention but should run much better tonight.
RACE 5
SUITS MY FANCY just missed last out and a repeat of that one would be good enough to beat these with Gilligan back aboard. SKY HI SUGER was completely overmatched last out but drops back to the bottom tonight. TRULY VAL is a three year old taking on the older runners but fits in here.
RACE 6
PEGASUS KITTEN hooked much better in Florida and takes the big class drop for Maker/Ramsey. She appears to be in a good spot to get her maiden win with Jimenez aboard. MAXINE has the speed to be on or near the lead and is the one to catch. ITSALLBOUTTHATABSE is a solid threat.
RACE 7
Wesley Ward sends out a pair of three year olds to face the older runners and they both come off of solid maiden scores. THE CURT FOX showed big improvement when moved to the Poly and rates the edge over his stable mate in a close call. KAYLA’S KITTEN moves up in class after his maiden win and Julio Garcia, who rode both horses last time, sticks with this one. BIG COULEE was very impressive in his front running score last out but figures to have plenty of company on the front end tonight.
RACE 8
HEARTBREAK HILL closed well to finish third last out and should get a lively pace to run at tonight. She is one of two in here for Ben Colebrook, who is having a terrific meet, and she rates the edge in a tough field. LOVE THE KITTEN cuts back to six furlongs for Wesley Ward and will also be running a the end. Her best makes her dangerous. TIMIDO is also trained by Colebrook and can’t be dismissed.
RACE 9
BELL BY THE RIDGE drops to the bottom which isn’t a good sign but he is ten years old and anything close to his best makes him a winner in the finale for Kim Hammond. JOES BLAZING AARON has been running poorly in Florida but has good speed and also takes the big class drop here tonight. TWICE MIKE comes off of a win at this level and has to be considered.
