Battaglia
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10
Race 1
EQUUS NOVUS takes the big class drop for Jack Sisterson, with Virginia Tormey, who was a close-up fourth with her first career mount in October at Keeneland, looking for her first win. FRED’S COUNTRY BOY faded badly last out but cuts back to a sprint and also drops in class for Mike Maker. QUITE A BIT is a definite threat.
Race 2
MISS FAHRENHEIT comes off a couple of runner-up efforts at this level and gets the nod in this maiden claimer. SEMANYA ran evenly against better last out and is the one to beat. REHEARSAL DINNER takes the class drop and has to be considered.
Race 3
WILLY I AM has finished in the money in nine of his ten starts this year. He comes off a runner-up finish last out and looks best in this one. CHECKMARK was an impressive front-running winner in his first start over this track going five furlongs. He is a bit suspect at tonight’s longer distance but looks like the one to catch. INCREDIBLE CAT will be running at the end at decent odds.
Race 4
IAN SMITH looked sharp winning last out and is capable of making it two in a row with DeShawn Parker in for the mount. TAKIN THE SLOROAD is a nine-year-old veteran who loves the Turfway Poly. His best would make him tough to beat. BIG KICK drops in class and is a contender in a very well matched claiming race.
Race 5
FROST OR FRIPPERY does his best running at Turfway and figures to get a good trip from just off the pace with Johnny McKee aboard. Give him the edge. MONEY TALKER is a ten year old who has been a bit of a “money burner,” with just one win in his last fourteen races at very short prices. He takes the needed class drop and is the one to beat tonight. GATEWAY ARCH comes off a game score and has to be respected.
Race 6
THE PREDICTOR has the speed to be in good position throughout and rates the edge with Ouzts back aboard. SABBATARIAN has been off since February but drops to the bottom for his return. Watch the board on this one. MR. HAIRE beat the top pick last out and will be running at the end.
Race 7
ALWAYS BELIEVE ran well to finish second in her first race over this track. She will be running late in a race loaded with early speed and her best would make her a winner for Michael Lauer with McKee riding. TIA FLOR hasn’t won a race in a while but has run evenly against some better competition. She could wake up tonight. PICANTE CALIENTE comes off a game win and is a solid threat in a tough allowance race.
Race 8
LALUN CHARM drops back in against bottom claimers and rates the edge in here. COMECATCHME comes off a couple of runner-up efforts at this level and is the one to beat. DUBAIAN drops in class and fits with these.
