Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Selections for Saturday, Dec. 9
RACE 1
DANCE EVEN has been running well and should get a good trip from his outside post. He drops back in for a tag and looks best at this level. DR SPAULDING also takes the class drop. He stopped badly last out but will be tough to beat with Ouzts picking up the mount.
RACE 2
MINESHAFT DIVA showed improvement in her second start back after a long layoff. She figures to move forward again tonight and rates the edge with Orm back aboard for Thomas Humphries. FLATTER’S SONG has the speed to be on or near the lead and could be tough to catch. NORWEGIAN LADY ran well over this track last out and is a solid threat.
RACE 3
BREZNO was a game winner here on opening night and was claimed from that one by Kim Hammond. He moves up a notch in class but looks like a solid bet to make it two in a row. DUE TO HIS CHARM won impressively last out at odds of 82-1. He cuts back to a sprint tonight but anything close to that one makes him dangerous. PLUMBAGO drops back into a claiming race for Eric Reed and fits at this level.
RACE 4
GALLANT CAUSE debuts for Wayne Mackey, who has very good numbers with his first timers. This one has been training steadily since September and figures to be ready for a solid effort tonight. DECISION TIME drops a notch in class and is capable of running well at this level. CONVINCING was well backed in his debut but stopped badly after showing good speed. He rates a chance but may be a vulnerable favorite.
RACE 5
PERFECT EXECUTION is riding a three-race win streak. He has been off since October but has been training very well over the Turfway Poly for Kim Hammond and rates the edge in a well matched optional claiming allowance race. TREASURY BILL was a neck behind the top pick at Indiana Grand and came back with a decent effort at Hawthorne. He will be running at the end and is a solid threat. HANDY CANDY was a game winner last out at Churchill and has to be respected.
RACE 6
ZULU ALPHA is a Calumet homebred who was overmatched in the River City and also had a rough trip after being bothered at the start. He is facing much easier competition tonight and a return to his best form makes him a winner for Jose Fernandez with Goncalves picking up the mount. LUCKY RAMSEY woke up a bit last out when dropped in for a tag and was claimed from that one by Mike Maker. Look for another good performance tonight. RUN THE ALLEY has won two in a row and has trained sharply over this track.
RACE 7
BLAME THE DREAM has won 4 of 10 this year and broke his maiden over the Turfway Poly last December. Larry Holt drops him in for a tag and he looks like a winner with Ouzts back aboard. ALTA RITA is a speedy runner and figures to be on or near the lead throughout. She is the one to catch. MELLO KISSES fits with these.
RACE 8
TETRADRACHM is a consistent runner from the barn of Bert Crawford. He just missed in his only try over this track and gets the nod in here. PADDY’S NOTES has enough early speed to overcome the outside post and his best makes him dangerous. DR. HAL is a contender.
