Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Battaglia
Selections for Friday, Feb. 23
RACE 1
CASH REGISTER comes off of a couple of good efforts and has the tactical speed to be in contention throughout. She rates the slight edge overs RADAR VISION in a close call. The latter has been second in her last three races. She will be running at the end and is definitely the one to beat. DESIREE has had only two races and could improve.
RACE 2
CAT’S IN THE MOOD loves the Turfway Poly. He has been first or second in 11 of his 12 races and comes off a sharp score last out. Look for him to make it two in a row for Larry Holt with Ouzts back aboard. ONE HOT PAIRADICE just missed last out and will be running late in a race that figures to have a legitimate pace. BARRISTER JIM stopped badly last out but is capable of better.
RACE 3
BUD’S BAYONET stumbled badly leaving the gate last out but rallied to finish second. He figures to be in much better position in this one and looks best with McKee back aboard. PETEINTHEHALL prefers more distance but will be running late and could add value to the gimmicks. AT GUARD drops to a career low claiming level after being claimed back in November by Larry Smith.
RACE 4
NATIVE INDY drops to the bottom after a couple of decent efforts against better. She hooks a fairly weak bunch and should win at this level. TAZMANIAN ANGEL was a game winner last out and gets in light with Salazar. PARKERELIZABETH needed her last race and figures to improve.
RACE 5: THE JOHN BATTAGLIA MEMORIAL STAKES
SKY PROMISE was dead last turning for home in his three-year-old debut but closed well and galloped out strongly. He figures to move forward for Ken McPeek, who won this race last year, and he gets the nod with Jack Gilligan back aboard. ROAMING UNION showed dramatic improvement last out for Kelly Breen and won impressively. He made an easy lead from the inside post in that one but will probably rate just behind the early leaders tonight. Look for another solid performance with Martin Garcia coming in for the mount. TRUTH BE TOLLED is another one who has improved with every start. He has the speed to be on or near the lead and figures to be tough to catch. FAMILY KITTEN is a maiden but Maker adds blinkers and he has to be respected in a well matched renewal of the John Battaglia Memorial.
RACE 6
RAKEITIN figures to get a good trip from the inside post and rates the edge in this bottom claimer. SCARECROW appears to be the main competition. SIR GARY looks best of the rest.
RACE 7
FINAL REWARD has shown improvement in every start and looks like a solid bet to get her maiden win for Maker with Deshawn Parker picking up the mount. DON’T TELL LYDIA was no match for the top pick last out but gets blinkers tonight and is the one to beat. A GIRL HAS NO NAME is a contender.
RACE 8
IRISH PROUD looked good winning at this level last out. He figures to be rallying from just off the pace and is capable of the repeat score for Pat Huffman with Franklin back aboard. GENERAL MACARTHUR can win with anything close to his best but the big class drop is a reason for concern. FULKERSON is a contender.
RACE 9
TRIVIAL has been a beaten favorite in her last two but ran well in both of those defeats. She appears to be in a good spot to pick up the win tonight. GIGI JEAN showed big improvement last out in her maiden win and figures to be the main competition. PUNTO DE ENTRADA could run well at decent odds.
RACE 10
NIGHT BEFORE drops in class and looks best in this bottom claimer. SURPRISING TWIST also takes the class drop but figures second best. ABBEYDORNEY LASS has had only three races and could improve.
