Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Battaglia
Battaglia Selections for Friday, Jan. 19
RACE 1
COOPER’S KEEPER was second at this level last out and should get a good trip from just off of the pace tonight. Give her the slight edge in the opener. CELTIC GOLD exits the same race as the top pick. She lost all chance when she stumbled leaving the gate in that one but figures to go right to the front in here. She will be tough to catch. ROCKAROO beat the top two last out and is a definite contender again.
RACE 2
MISIA SEKIGUCHI is a consistent runner at this level and she can win this one with her best effort. PROM THEME has been dull recently but is capable of running at the end and could be dangerous. PAPER DOLLIE is on the also-eligibles but would be the top pick if she gets in.
RACE 3
FOREVER SURE is a 10-year-old veteran who drops in against bottom claimers. He should be able to handle this bunch with Lebron picking up the mount. MOVE THE CHAINS comes off of a solid effort against better. A repeat of that one makes him the one to beat. BACK TOGETHERAGAIN just missed last out in a game effort and was well clear of the third-place finisher in that one.
RACE 4
VALENTINE ROSIE was a beaten favorite last out after setting a pressured pace throughout. She should be able to lay right off of the leaders tonight and rates the slight edge over MAJESTIC MEGAN in a close call. MAJESTIC MEGAN closed well to beat the top pick last out. She figures to be running late again tonight and looks like the main competition. LADY CLEOPATRA moves up in class after a win and has to be respected.
RACE 5: THE FOREGO STAKES
WELLABLED had an excellent two-year-old campaign before being sidelined for a year. He came back to win impressively over this track in his second start after that layoff and appears to be back to his best form. He looks best for perennial Arlington leaders Larry Rivelli and Jose Valdivia. LANIER was no match for Royal Son last out but was eight lengths clear of the third-place finisher in that one. He cuts back to 6 1/2 furlongs and should be able to come from just off of what figures to be a fast pace. DAC prefers more distance but also chased Royal Son last out. He should be flying at the end and can’t be left out of the gimmicks.
LULUSIMMARD dropped far back in the early going of her debut race but was running very well at the end of that one. She figures to move forward for Eric Reed and rates the edge with McKee picking up the mount. SEVENHEARTSWARRIOR was a beaten favorite last out at Hawthorne but moves back to the Poly and looks dangerous in this spot. PETTY GAMBIT beat the top pick last out and has the speed to be dangerous.
RACE 7
BRO STROLL should get a good trip from the inside post and rates the edge in this bottom claimer. SACRED PROMISE comes off of a runner-up effort against similar and is the one to beat. RIVER KID drops in class and is a contender.
RACE 8
SANIMO has been hooking better at Fair Grounds and Churchill. If he takes to the Poly he should be able to handle this field. GALLANT CAUSE has the speed to be on or near the lead and is the one to catch. CANNONSHOT fits with these.
RACE 9
TORAZO was a game winner last out and has posted two bullet works since that score. He appears to be in a good spot to make it two in a row for Joe Davis with Azael De Leon picking up the mount. SHARM will be running at the end in a race with a ton of early speed. He could figure in the gimmicks at nice odds. MOOOSE just missed against the top pick and is a contender in a tough allowance race.
RACE 10
LI’L J has the speed to make the lead from the inside post and is capable of the front-running score under Lebron. TOP GATO needed his race last out and should move forward. He is the one to beat. ON THE RIVER is a contender.
