Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Battaglia
Battaglia Selections for Thursday, March 8
RACE 1
BRAZYN APPEAL was disqualified from a win at this same level last out. A repeat of that one would be good enough to beat this field. CAHOKIA exits the same race as the top pick. She is the one to beat with McKee picking up the mount. SWEET ROCK is a contender.
RACE 2
FAIRWAY LANE showed big improvement in his two races over the Turfway Poly. He figures to get a good trip from the outside post and gets the nod in a well matched bottom claimer. SPITTINTUMBLEWEEDS showed nothing in his last race at Belterra. He comes off of a long layoff but should like the move back to the Poly and looks dangerous in this spot. SCISSORS AND TAPE loves this track.
RACE 3
RAKEITIN looked good winning last out and figures to be running at the end in a race that should have a legitimate pace. He can make it two in a row with Parker back aboard for Larry Lay. HELLO PEOPLE is a bit erratic but drops back to the bottom and Lebron picks up the mount. ONE HOT PAIRADICE is a bit suspect at the distance but has the speed to be in contention throughout and is good right now.
RACE 4
LOUISIANA BROWN is a stand-out on paper but the fact that he is back in against bottom claimers isn’t a good sign. He figured to move up in class after those efforts but he has caught an easy field and anything close to his best would be good enough tonight. TWIN ENGINE figures to be running at the end and could upset if the favorite falters. CRASH MAGEE needed his last race after a layoff and will improve.
PINER CAT rates the edge in another well matched sprint. TWIZZ faltered badly in his first race back after a long layoff but has plenty of back class and drops to the bottom for this one. STATELY OAK is a solid threat.
RACE 6
GOLD CHASER comes off of a couple of runner-up finishes at this level. He appears to be in a good spot to win with De Leon back aboard for Bert Crawford. FRENSHAM is a veteran runner who has won 10 of his 41 races. He needed his last race and drops back to the bottom tonight. MANO FOX exits a tough race and could improve.
RACE 7
CONFISCATE was no match for an impressive winner last out but ran well to finish second in his first race back after a four-month layoff. He rates the slight edge over MR. COMPASS in a close call. MR. COMPASS was disqualified from a game win last out and is the one to beat with Franklin picking up the mount for Maker. SENZA TE has been training well in Florida for Wesley Ward and has to be respected.
RACE 8
SLOWHAND looks like a stand out for Ward and Garcia in this bottom maiden race. OSCEOLA POINT has run well in his last two and figures second best. RUN YOU DOWN would be the top threat if he gets in.
