Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Selection for Saturday, Dec. 2.
RACE 1
SURELY A BULLET showed speed last out at Churchill but faded badly in her first start after a three-month layoff. She drops in for a tag and has the inside post. HEP TO GO is another dropper. She gets Lasix and could improve. PAYNTED VERSE is a contender.
RACE 2
UNCAGED comes off a wire-to-wire win at Presque Isle and will be tough again for Chip Brownfield with Vergara picking up the mount. MACANO closed well to win against bottom claimers at Belterra and is the one to beat. BEACH HUT was a close-up third at Mountaineer and is a contender.
RACE 3
CAPTIVE KITTEN broke slow and was never in contention in his debut for Wes Ward at Keeneland. He drops in for a tag for his return and figures to show improvement. Give him the edge against these. MIGUEL ran a decent race at this level last out and looks like the main competition. RAMBLINGRUDYRAGS fits with these.
RACE 4
DISORDERLY CONDUCT has won five of his last six and was claimed last out by Mike Maker. He moves up in class and faces a tougher field tonight but is capable of winning again with Canchari aboard. PROVEN WARRIOR has had a solid year and won back-to-back races over this track back in February. Kim Hammond usually has her horses ready for Turfway and this one looks dangerous. IF YOU BUILD IT is also in top form and is capable of rallying from just off of what figures to be a fast pace.
SHE’S FLAT OUT drops another notch in class after a decent effort against better at Churchill. Her best makes her a winner against this bunch. WOMAN OF LOVE also takes the class drop. She has the speed to be in contention throughout and is the one to beat with Sarvis picking up the mount. BUNNY BOSS showed nothing in her debut but Maker drops her and she has been working well over this track.
RACE 6
MO BIG DEAL had a solid three-year-old campaign but has been dull in all three races this year. Caramori drops him to the bottom and he can be expected to run much better tonight. MEMORIAL BLUE had a rough trip last out at Churchill. He has just two wins in 30 tries but figures to be a contender in this one. THUNDERCLOUD rates a chance.
RACE 7
BELLA BE PROUD does her best running at this track. She was beaten by KATIE THE CUTIE last out but the move back to the Poly should make her a winner tonight. KATIE THE CUTIE has the speed to be on or near the lead throughout and is the one to catch. SPONTANEITY has been running well and owns a win over this track.
RACE 8
AUSTIN RAY is a first-timer from the barn of Wes Ward. He is training well over this track so the debut for $5,000 is a reason for concern, but he hooks a weak field and rates the top pick. HANSEN GONE WEST will be the one to beat if he draws in off the also eligible list. COMEDY ZONE is a contender.
