Turfway Park in Florence provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18
GTMEOUTAHERESEAMUS comes off of a game score and should be rallying from just off of the pace tonight. Give him the slight edge in a well matched bottom claimer. MR. UNANONYMOUS didn’t take to the slop last out in Ohio but will appreciate the move back to Poly and has the speed to be dangerous with Ouzts aboard. PALATINE HILL is good right now and is a solid threat from the inside post.
RACE 2
MISS FRANK E moves up in class after an impressive win against bottom claimers. This is a tougher spot but she could spring the mild upset. PERFECT PASSION drops a notch in class after an easy maiden win and is definitely the one to beat. HIPPOLYTE comes off of back to back scores and has the tactical speed to be in contention throughout.
RACE 3
CANDY CARLOS drops to the bottom for Wesley Ward and figures to win at this level. RANSOM’S LOVE just missed last out and looks like the main completion tonight. FOREST WARRIOR is a contender with Lagunes back aboard.
RACE 4
BATTEN THE HATCHES is a seven year old veteran who has a solid record here at Turfway. He moves up a notch in class after a game win and is capable of the repeat score with John McKee back aboard for Jeff Barkley. THE GORILLA MAN also likes this track. Look for another solid performance tonight. OLD MOUNTAIN LANE has the tactical speed to be in contention throughout and his best makes him dangerous.
RACE 5
GORGEOUS KITTEN disappointed in his last race at Gulfstream but looked good in his debut when he finished second. He has been training solidly for his three year old debut and Maker figures to have him ready to go tonight. PORTER STREET was off a step slow in his debut and ran very well to finish second. Quinonez is back aboard for Wesley Ward and he is definitely the one to beat. HARANGUE just missed last out and gets blinkers for the first time. He is improving with every start and is a contender.
RACE 6
ROUTETOO hooked a tough field in her debut and lost her best chance when she was bothered leaving the gate. She has posted two solid works since that start and Doug Coyle drops her in for a tag tonight. Give her the slight edge in a well matched race with Jack Gilligan picking up the mount tonight. SOSO has been idle since a good runner-up performance in her debut at Parx. She figures to be tough to beat tonight. MYFAVORITE MISTAKE woke up when dropped to his level and is a definite threat.
RACE 7
HOLLYWOOD TALENT was second in the Forego in his first start back after a seven month layoff. Anything close to that performance makes him a winner at short odds tonight with Jimenez back in the saddle. TIZMATIZED comes off of a good looking win and figures to be second best. FEROCIOUS TIGER moves up in class for Wesley Ward off of a win and is a solid contender.
RACE 8
NATIONAL GIRL showed huge improvement in her first race on the Turfway Poly drawing off to win by almost four. She can make it two in a row for John Spurlock with apprentice E.M. Murray back aboard tonight. COLOR ME BLUSH has run consistently well at this level and figures to be tough to beat with Jimenez picking up the mount. DESERT IMAGE hooked much better in her first start back after a long layoff and is back in against non-winners of three tonight.
RACE 9
SPINNING STAR takes the class drop for Ramsey/Maker and appears to be in a good spot to pick up her maiden win this evening. TIZ TAKEN BACK also drops in class. Quinonez picks up the mount for Aaron West and she is the one to beat at this level. PROMISE ME SNOW rates a chance and shouldn’t be left out of the gimmicks.
