Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Battaglia
Selections for Thursday, Feb. 22
RACE 1
MAGNETIC SPOT didn’t break sharply last out and was never in contention. He drops a notch in class and figures to show better speed tonight. Give him the edge with Lebron picking up the mount. LAKER LADY is a newly turned three-year-old taking on older runners. She drops to the bottom and could run well at this level. TIZ BEAUTY just missed last out and is a contender.
RACE 2
TACOMA PARK comes off of a couple of decent races against better competition. He can win this one with his best effort. DISCREET GLEN needed his last race after a six-month layoff. He likes this track and is the one to beat. EMMETT’S DREAM fits in here.
RACE 3
JUST ANOTHER JOHN makes his third start back after a four-month layoff. He showed improvement last out and should move forward again tonight. Give him the edge in a well matched race. FOURTH AND CENTRAL was no match for a runaway winner in his first start since August. Jeff Greenhill’s horses are running very well right now and he is the one to beat. HAY NET has the speed to make the lead and will be tough to catch.
RACE 4
ALTA RITA comes off of two dull efforts but had problems in both of those races and drops to the bottom tonight. A clean trip would make her a winner at this level. SISTER JIB comes off of back-to-back wins over this track and has the tactical speed to be in contention throughout. Look for another solid performance in here. QUE HANSEN is a contender.
RACE 5
LIL MS PERFECTION ran well in her first try over the Turfway Poly and appears to be in a good spot to get her maiden win for Bert Crawford with Ouzts picking up the mount. URAWESOMEBLOSSOM finished right beind the top pick and is definitely the main competition. SANCTUAIRE SPOT is a first-timer who posted a recent bullet work.
RACE 6
BIG LEGACY is a nine-year-old veteran who ran evenly in his first two races back after a long layoff. He has the speed to make the lead in this one and is capable of the front-running win. KOWBOY KODY is a ten-year-old who ran well in his last two and has been in the money in 11 of his 13 races at Turfway. GOLD CHASER fits with these.
RACE 7
MIA VALENTINA was impressive winning two starts back going a mile and didn’t break sharply last out when favored sprinting. She stretches back out and figures to show good speed from the rail. Give her the edge with Ouzts back aboard for Bill Connelly. MAJESTIC MEGAN didn’t fire last out but drops in class and should be running well at the end. She is the one to beat. KATIE THE CUTIE comes off of a runner-up effort at this level and is a solid contender with Lebron up.
RACE 8
WIND RHAPSODY has flashed speed in both of his races against some good company. He posted a recent bullet work and rates the edge over some well bred first-time starters. BRAVE SOUL debuts for Mike Maker and has been training well in New Orleans. He figures to be ready to run and looks dangerous with Parker aboard. IT’S MO is a three-year-old taking on the older runners but he is a $250,000 Keeneland sales grad in the capable hands of Ben Colebrook and has been training steadily. CEDUNA is another first timer with good works in what looks like a very tough maiden field.
