Battaglia
SATURDAY, MARCH 16
Race 1
REHEARSAL DINNER beat several of these same runners last out and appears to be in a good spot to get her maiden win tonight. ALREADY GONE drops to the bottom for the first time and is the one to beat. SAFARI HEART is a contender.
Race 2
MILEVA was no match for a runaway winner last out but was well clear of the third-place finisher in that one. She has the speed to be on or near the lead throughout and gets in light with apprentice Virginia Tormey. SPEARETTE had some problems at the start last out and should get a good trip from the inside post tonight. RIDDLEMEREE fits with these.
Race 3
ALITTLEBOUBON comes off a decent runner-up effort and hooks a fairly weak field. Give her the edge. ROCKPORT DANCER has the speed to be dangerous. CRISIS AVERTED broke poorly last out and is a contender.
Race 4
IAN SMITH drops back to the bottom after stopping badly last out against much better company. A return to his best form would make him a winner for Cahill and Machado. KITTEN FOR GRANNY was a beaten favorite last out but is definitely the one to beat in this one. RUNMALIBURUN is a contender.
Race 5
PEPPER’S CONCORD finished last out of five in his debut but drew some attention at the windows, going off at 8-1. He drops in class and could run much better tonight. DISCREET TECHNIQUE showed improvement in his second career start and figures to be the main competition. HARLINSDALE also takes the class drop and is a contender.
Race 6
STARVING ARTIST has been hooking better in New Orleans and rates the edge for high-percentage trainer Joe Sharp with Malcolm Franklin picking up the mount. ETHYL ETHER has the speed to be on or near the lead and is the one to catch. STRAITOUTTAPOPCORN also has good early speed and is a solid threat in this one.
Race 7
TOMMY C ME is another shipper from Fair Grounds. He is a lightly raced 3-year-old who is bred to like tonight’s added distance and figures to show good speed from the inside post. Give him the slight edge. MY KINDA KID comes off a good effort at this level and is the one to beat. CRESCENT WARRIOR has to be respected.
Race 8
ON JOHN gets the nod in what looks like a well matched sprint. FEARLESS KITTY was beaten as the odds-on favorite last out but has the speed to be dangerous tonight. HOOSIER ZIP fits with these.
