Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Battaglia
Battaglia Selections for Friday, March 9
RACE 1
REAGANIZE has been second in his last three and should be able to break through with a maiden win tonight. BIGGER AND BETTER flashed speed in his two races last year and drops in class for his Turfway debut. DARK WOOD debuts for Wes Ward and has to be respected.
RACE 2
LUCKY ME LUCKY YOU just missed in his first race back after a 3-1/2 month layoff. She figures to improve and rates the edge with Lebron back aboard for John Hancock. TIZ BEAUTY comes off of a game win and looks like the main competition. PARKERELIZABETH has the speed to be a contender.
RACE 3
VIA FRATTINA comes off of back-to-back wins at this level. She figures to get a good trip from just off of the pace and is capable of extending her streak tonight. TENACIOUS SALLY drops to the bottom and is definitely the one to beat at this level. SCORE BABE has the speed to be on or near the lead from the inside post and is a solid contender in a wide open race.
RACE 4
CASH REGISTER has run well in all three of her races over this track. She should be in good position throughout and rates the slight edge with Lebron picking up the mounts. MORE MOOLA was a beaten favorite in her debut but should improve off of that effort and is the one to beat. ABBY BRILLIANT fits with these.
RADIANTRITHYM drops in class and can make the lead from the inside post. She is capable of the wire-to-wire score tonight. BELLA BE PROUD moves back up in class after being claimed from a winning effort. She figures to be running late and her best makes her dangerous. I GOT IT is good right now and is a contender.
RACE 6
PROM THEME comes off of back-to-back wins for Danner and McKee and looks like a good bet to make it three in a row tonight. POMEROYS UPRISING has been in the money in eight of her last nine and can’t be left out of the gimmicks. CELTIC GOLD ran poorly last out but is capable of better.
RACE 7
KICKIN GRASS comes off of a couple of solid efforts and rates the edge in this bottom claimer. LAND OR SEA is a three-year-old taking on older runners but has been in the money in five of her six races and is the one to beat. MADDIE’S FUTURE will be running at the end.
RACE 8
WILL GRACIE SHINE looked good winning last out and figures to make it two in a row at short odds. TICKET TO RICHES ran well to finish second last out and looks like the main competition. HERMOSA VAQUERA rates a chance.
