Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Battaglia
Battaglia selections for Friday, Feb. 16
RACE 1
SHOW ME INDY and PAPER DOLLIE have hooked up three times in a row with the former coming out on top in the last two. Give her the slight edge again tonight in a close call. CAHOKIA hasn’t won a race in over two years but she woke up a bit last out and drops to the bottom for this one.
RACE 2
REEDER was no match for the winner when dropped to this level last out but ran well to finish second. He will be rallying from just off of the pace and rates the edge for Larry Smith with Ouzts back aboard. ROARIN MISSILE is an 11-year-old veteran making his 87th start. He is still running well and is the one to beat with Lebron riding. CAM has the speed to be dangerous.
RACE 3
PATTY’S MISCHIEF has been a beaten favorite in her last two but should get a good trip from just off of the pace tonight. Give her the slight edge in what looks like a well matched claiming test. PATSY EM does her best running over this surface and should run well again tonight. BELLA BE PROUD takes the big class drop. Her best would make her a winner but the drop is a reason for concern.
RACE 4
TIZWAYORTHEHIGHWAY is another one who takes a puzzling class drop but he figures to be able to beat this field with anything close to his best. REAGANIZE has had 11 tries and is still a maiden but he has been second in his last two and fits in here. BIGGER AND BETTER has been off since September but has to be considered.
RACE 5
TACHI has just four wins in 54 career starts but is two for his last three races here at Turfway. He appears to be in a good spot to win another one tonight. GREENHORN rallied to finish second last out and figures to show much better early speed from the rail. He is the one to beat. GUNG HO is a definite threat,.
RACE 6
NYOMAN is riding a five-race win streak for Rodolfo Aguilar. He was very sharp winning here last out and looks like a solid bet to make it six with Lebron back aboard tonight. GORGEOUS GEORGE was no match for the top pick last out after making the lead turning for home. The cut back to six furlongs will work to his advantage and Franklin picks up the mount. ROSKI is also very good right now and has to be considered.
RACE 7
CONFISCATE was second in his first race back after a four-month layoff. He figures to move forward off of that one and has the speed to be on or near the lead. He looks best with Sarvis back aboard for Anthony Hamilton. MR. COMPASS comes off of a couple of solid efforts and moves back up in class for Mike Maker. He figures to be the main competition. RAGTIME REBEL is a contender.
RACE 8
MR. CHOW rallied from far off of the pace to win impressively last out. The pace in here should be lively and a repeat of that last effort could make him a winner again for Tom Humphries with Orm back aboard. NORMANDY CROSSING loves this track and also comes off of a sharp win. He figures to have company on the front end but still looks like the one to beat. DAY IN THE SUN can rally from off of the pace and is a legitimate contender.
RACE 9
VIA FRATTINA comes off of a solid win and should make it two in a row with Lebron back aboard for Doug Cowans. SCAT LADY was dull last out but has plenty of back class and is capable of much better tonight. ANOTHER STONE has the speed to be a contender.
RACE 10
MARCHING FIRE is one of two in here trained by Wesley Ward. She faded after setting a fast pace in her debut at Gulfstream and figures to be tough to catch tonight. NECESSARY showed improvement in her second start for Mike Maker and is a solid threat with Parker aboard. PRECIOUS LUCK is a first-timer who is also trained by Ward. She posted a recent bullet work and has to be respected in what looks like a very good field of maiden fillies.
