A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Turfway Park selections for Friday


Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.

Battaglia

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4

Race 1

VORTICES can rally from just off the pace and if she takes to the Poly she can win this one. LAKE GIRL just missed in her last two and is the one to catch. WHODUNNITANDRAN woke up a bit last out and is a solid threat.

Race 2

SUGAR CANDY ROSE needed her last race after a four-month layoff. She figures to improve and gets the nod with McKee back aboard for Bobby Sturgeon. HIGH LEGEND was overmatched last out but drops back to the bottom and will be tough at this level. LOVE THE POWER likes this track and has to be considered.

Race 3

BIG IRON and BELFAST COWBOY are both trained by Michael Ann Ewing but run as separate betting interests. BIG IRON rates the edge off his runner-up finish last out with Franklin back aboard. BELFAST COWBOY has been off for a couple of months but drops in class for his return. He is training well and will be tough to beat. LUDLUM rates a chance.

Race 4

SHACKLED was a beaten favorite last out but should be able to make amends with a win against this bunch. ST. RONANS finished a couple of lengths behind the top pick and looks second best. DEE’S RONNIE has had only one race and could improve.

Race 5

G NINETEEN stretches back out to a mile and looks like the controlling speed in this one. He drops in class and appears to be in a good spot to get his maiden win in front-running fashion. CRESCENT WARRIOR comes off a solid runner-up effort at this level and figures to be the main competition. PRIVATE GALAXY broke slowly in his debut and could improve.

Race 6

BROKEN PROMISE is very good right now. He is riding a three-race win streak and comes off a sharp score in his first try over the Turfway Poly. He looks like a good bet to continue his streak for Ethan West with Malcolm Franklin back aboard. HUNTIN BUDDY is also in top form. He is a perfect three-for-three over this track and will be rallying from off of what should be an honest pace. He is the one to beat. THIRSTY ACTOR could be tough if he breaks well from his inside post.

Race 7

NEW ROO comes off a couple of solid efforts at Churchill. She has to overcome the 12 post but has the tactical speed to get decent position and looks like another live runner for Franklin, who picks up the mount for Tom Drury. THEA BEE ran evenly last out in a quick sprint. She will be on or near the lead throughout and is the one to catch. BYE BYE BULLY’S ran evenly in her debut and had a solid work since that start. She gets Lasix for her return and could run well at decent odds.

Race 8

PINK FOR ME was a sharp winner two starts back and lost all chance when bothered leaving the gate last out. Give her the edge in a very well matched race. RULELIKECLEOPATRA has been a beaten favorite in her last two but a return to her best would make her tough to beat. YOU’RE THE REASON is a definite threat.


Related Posts

Leave a Comment