Turfway Park in Florence provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16
EITELJORG just missed when dropped to this level last out and appears to be in a good spot to get his maiden victory for Phil Sims with Gilligan back aboard. RIVER KID exits the same race as the top pick. He was beaten by three lengths in that one but it was only his third career start and he is capable of moving forward tonight. HENNINGSEN needed his last race after a long layoff and drops in for a tag for the first time.
RACE 2
WILD CARD HIT was no match for a runaway runner last out but ran well to finish second. A similar performance would make her a winner in this one. BAJA BESSIE stretches back out after an even effort sprinting. She likes this track and is the one to beat. CITRUS MISS fits in here.
RACE 3
MYKINDCAT has been in the money in eight of her twelve races and should get her first win tonight. K LYN WINS exits the same races as the top pick and looks second best. B B SEA has been off since July but drops to the bottom for her return.
RACE 4
BELA MENINA drew off to an easy win last out for Kim Hammond and looks like a solid bet to make it two in a row this evening. PATSY EM is riding a three race win streak and figures to be the one to beat. CALL ME ANNA could be tough to catch if she makes an easy lead.
RACE 5
TICKETY BOO is a three year old taking on the older runners but Ward drops her in for a tag and she will be tough to beat at this level. SCAT LADY has been running against better and her best would make her a solid contender. RASCOFRADE is a lightly raced four year old who definitely fits with these.
RACE 6
SIVA was bothered and forced extremely wide by a loose horse for the entire stretch run last out. He still ran well to finish second under a good ride by Quinonez and gets the nod off of that effort. MAJOR DARBY ran well in his first race back after a four month layoff and will be tough to beat with Ouzts back aboard. DELIVERANCE DAY is riding a three race win streak and will be a contender if he takes to the Poly.
RACE 7
VENTRY BAY is a high priced Keeneland sales grad from the barn of Wes Ward. He was stakes placed at Santa Anita in his second career start and broke his maiden here in November. He makes his three year old debut tonight and Ward figures to have him ready to win with Garcia back aboard tonight. HUGH B stretches out after several good efforts sprinting. He has the speed to make the lead and is the one to catch. PREEMPTIVE STRIKE is a contender.
RACE 8
ENLISTED MAN has shown improvement in each of his three races over the Turfway surface. He was a game winner last out and can make it two in a row with Jimenez back aboard for Eric Foster. DETERMINED BRAEDON also comes off of a win at the level. A repeat of that performance would make him tough to beat. SHOTENOUGH TO POP fits in here.
RACE 9
HEAT IT UP RICH drops back to the bottom after a couple of good efforts against better. He appears to be in a good spot to pick up the win tonight. INNOCUOUS just missed last out at this level. He will be running at the end and can’t be left out of the gimmicks. J.M.’S PARADE woke up last out and could run well at decent odds.
