Turfway Park in Florence provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23
KEEPYOURCHINUP looked very good winning his Turfway debut by six lengths back in December. He ran well against a tougher field at Oaklawn last out and rates the edge in a well matched starter allowance race. TIZ SARDONIC JOE was no match for the top pick in that December race but has been a consistent performer who has to be respected at this level. AESOP is in top form for Chip Brownfield and definitely fits in here.
RACE 2
JINGLE ME THIS was no match for a runaway winner last out but was only a couple of lengths behind the runner up. Humphries drops him in for a tag for the first time and he appears to be in a good spot to get his maiden win with Cory Orm back aboard. Something apparently went wrong with FANTASTIC KITTEN last out but he came back with a decent work and drops back in for a tag tonight. ANN’S O’PRADO has only had one race and should improve.
RACE 3
CHEATIN HEART faded after pressing the pace going a mile but will like the cut back in distance tonight. Give her the slight edge with Gilligan back aboard for Bill Denzik. GONNA FIND HER drops in class and makes her second start back after a long layoff. She is definitely the one to beat. SHAREEHA also takes the class drop and fits in here.
RACE 4
SUCCESSFUL BRAT figures to be running at the end in a race with plenty of early speed. She drops to the bottom for the first time and gets the nod with Quinonez back aboard for Jeff Greenhill. HANG ON ANNIE figures to be on or near the lead throughout with Jimenez up. Her best makes her the one to catch. LADY CHANDLER looked good winning last out and has to be respected.
RACE 5
I’LL GIVE YOU WAR has shown steady improvement in all three of his starts since coming back after a fourteen month layoff. Give him the edge for Kobiskie and Orm who teamed up to win two races here on Friday night. BRAD’S WAGER drops a notch in class after pressing the pace last out against slightly better. He is the one to beat. SAYLOR’S STORM is a contender.
RACE 6
BIG BROWN SEVENS comes off of a couple of decent efforts at this level and rates the edge against a fairly weak bunch. FOR THE GLORY had to need his last race after a seven month layoff and figures to move forward off of that effort. CINQUE was overmatched last out but drops to a better level and is a contender.
RACE 7
MR. SENSIBILITY comes off of back to back wins for Ben Colebrook who is having a terrific meet. He figures to be flying at the end and looks like a solid bet to make it three in a row with Quinonez back aboard. DETERMINED BRAEDON stretches out after a couple of sharp efforts sprinting. He looks like the main competition. MALLEABLE is good right now and can’t be dismissed.
RACE 8
SO FANCY is a well-bred daughter of Tapit who brought $500,000 as a yearling back in 2015. She broke her maiden in her first try over the Poly and figures to move forward off of that win. Give her the slight edge with Gilligan up for Ben Colebrook. HANSEN’S GIRL broke her maiden for a tag but has hooked a couple of solid allowance fields in her last two and has the speed to be dangerous with Jimenez back aboard tonight. JENNA J was very impressive breaking her maiden at first asking and a repeat of that one makes her a definite contender.
RACE 9
JAZ N TAP stopped badly in his first race back after a three month layoff but should improve and his best could make him a winner in a weak bottom claimer with Sonny Leon picking up the mount toinght. IRISH NINJA has been idle since October but drops in class for his return with Jimenez aboard. PINETREE PRO has the speed to be dangerous if he handles the Poly.
