Battaglia
Race 1
NORTHERN CONNECT comes off a solid third-place finish at Churchill and a repeat of that one would be good enough to win tonight. ALTA RITA drops back in for a tag and owns a win over this track.She figures to be the one to beat. MISS DISCREET has the speed to be a contender.
Race 2
SOULMATE debuts for Wes Ward, who has excellent numbers with his first timers. This one has been training steadily at Keeneland and figures to be ready to go with Machado aboard. BYE THE BYE faded in the stretch after showing speed in his debut here on opening night. He figures to move forward off that one will be tough on the class drop. FAKE SOLUTION had a terrible trip at Churchill last out and will run better tonight.
Race 3
IMPASSABLE CANYON drops to the bottom and has an excellent record over the Turfway Poly. He has been off since October with no published works, which is a reason for concern, but it would be tough to pick against him in this one. MR. HAIRE will be running at the end in a race that should have a legitimate pace. He can run well at nice odds. FIGHTMASTER is good right now and is a definite contender.
Race 4
KISS MY NOTE has the tactical speed to be in contention throughout and raced well over this track earlier this year. Give him the slight edge in a very well matched claiming test. J DUB is a bit suspect at six furlongs but should make the lead and is the one to catch. NORTH ELKHORN fits in here.
Race 5
LUCY’S TOWN drops in class after a solid effort against much better last out. She looks like a standout in here and figures to win at short odds. QUEEN MAXINE was no match for the top pick last out but could be running late and figures second best. YANKEE ROSE rates a chance.
Race 6
DATA STAR stopped badly last out going a mile at Churchill but cuts back to six furlongs and faces much easier competition tonight. She appears to be in a good position to pick up her maiden win for Marcos Medrano with veteran Jon Court back aboard. TALAALAH finished well to be second at Hawthorne and gets blinkers for the first time tonight. TEMPLETON has been off since June but posted a recent bullet work at Churchill and is a contender.
Race 7
CONQUEST TIZFIRE comes off a couple of dull efforts at Saratoga but moves to the barn of Wes Ward for her Kentucky debut. She posted a bullet work here Dec 1 and a return to her best form would make her a winner tonight. STRAITOUTTAPOPCORN was impressive in her maiden win at Presque Isle and also comes off a bullet work at the Training Center. She looks like the main competition with Johnny McKee picking up the mount for Stephen Lyster. FOXTROT SALLY needed her last out and gets blinkers.
Race 8
MUN UP gets the nod in a well matched bottom claimer. ARCH YOU READY posted an upset win on opening night and will be running at the end again in this one. SANDERSTEAD fits with these.
