Battaglia
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14 (Preview)
Race 1
MARNATE figures to be on or near the lead throughout and gets the nod in the opener. BELA MENINA didn’t fire last out but is capable of better. SWEET ROCK ran well at big odds last out and is a contender.
Race 2
LOVE THE POWER drops to the bottom and has a solid record over this track. Her best makes her a winner at this level. PROM THEME also does her best racing here and she is the one to beat. DON’T TELL MOM has the speed to be dangerous.
Race 3
VICTOR JARA comes off a couple of dull efforts but has had a couple of months off and is training sharply over this track. He rates the edge for Joseph Davis with Machado picking up the mount. WOLF MAN ROCKET was beaten by a couple of these same runners last out but he was running at the end and could add value to the gimmicks. TRAPPE VALLEY is a solid contender.
Race 4
BOURBON SHOTTE looks like a winner in a very weak maiden claimer. LETITGO has had only three races and should improve. STEVE AND AARON takes a big class drop.
Race 5
TUMULTUOUS GAL is actually stakes placed in Illinois and takes a big class drop tonight. Give her the edge in a wide open race. DA MRS. scored a 43-1 upset win to break her maiden here on opening night and has to be considered. JR’S JOY fits with these.
Race 6
BIG KICK is a nine-yearold veteran runner with over $400,000 in career earnings. He has been off since May but has been training steadily for Kim Hammond and rates the edge on the class drop. MONEY TALKER is also nine years old but is still running well finishing in the money in 8 of his last 12 races. He is the one to beat. IRISH PROUD will like the move back to the Poly and is a legitimate threat.
Race 7
AQUA FRIO moves to the barn of Mike Maker and drops in for a tag for the first time. He has been training well since coming to Kentucky and has handled a synthetic surface, winning two races at Golden Gate. Give him the edge with Prescott picking up the mount. HICKORY HILL ran poorly last out but was a winner at Keeneland in his prior start. If he takes to the surface he will be tough to beat. THE CURT FOX loves this track and is a definite threat.
Race 8
WICKED GEM drops in class for Kellyn Gorder and gets blinkers for the first time. He hasn’t hit the board in seven tries but could wake up at this level. HARLAN’S VADOR has been off since May but is working well for his return. FIRST TIZ BEST rallied to finish second at Belterra and has to be considered.
