Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.Turfway will have a special first race pot time of 1:15 p.m. Saturday only.
Battaglia
Selections for Thursday, Jan. 13
Race 1
CAUSE ME GRIEF debuts for Wes Ward, who wins with 31 percent of his first timers. Give her the edge against a fairly weak bunch. MAJESTIC BOLD lost all chance last out when she stumbled and the rider lost his irons. Look for a better performance tonight. LAWLESS is a solid contender.
Race 2
LAGOON OF DIAMONDS is riding a two-race win streak for Kim Hammond and looks like a solid bet to make it three in a row with DeLeon back aboard. MYKONOS was claimed from a game win last out. The fact that he drops in class is a bit puzzling but Lebron picks up the mount and he figures to be the one to beat. BEACH HUT was second behind the top pick last out and will be running at the end again tonight.
Race 3
MOMENT OF TRIUMPH is still winless after 15 tries but just missed in her Turfway debut and a repeat of that one would make her a winner in this field. EMMY SHIMMY moves up a notch in class after a runner-up performance in her debut. She figures to move forward and looks like the main competition. COLOMBE was dull last out but a return to her best form makes her dangerous.
Race 4
BARRISTER JIM is an eight-year-old veteran with earnings of nearly $250,000. He has the speed to be on or near the lead and appears to be in good spot to pick up the win tonight. THE GREEN COUGAR closed well last out and finished fifth. He gets a bit more distance in this one and can’t be left out of the gimmicks. KOWBOY KODY hasn’t won a race in two years but just missed last out and has to be considered.
SPRING MTN MIST comes off of a dull effort at Charles Town but has done his best racing on the grass. He moves to the barn of Aaron West and may like the move to the Poly and the class drop. Give him the edge. SAULT STARR comes off of a game win at this level and is definitely the one to beat. MYOSITIS MYSTIQUE is another one who takes the class drop. He comes off of two dull efforts but ran well at Churchill prior to that and looks dangerous tonight.
Race 6
MANIACAL looked like a horse with a big future before a couple of dull efforts last summer. He has been training well for his return and anything close to his best would make him a winner for Wesley Ward with Garcia aboard. IRON MANE is also trained by Ward. He comes off of a win on the Hawthorne grass and has been in the money in five o his seven races. PITCH COUNT ran evenly against a good field last out and has to be considered.
Race 7
HINTON was well beaten by Royal Son last out but had to need that race after a five-month layoff. He owns a win over the Turfway strip and Tom Drury figures to have him ready to fire tonight with McKee back aboard. LUCKY RAMSEY was bumped around leaving the gate and failed to fire after moving into contention from the inside. He is capable of a better performance in here. HUNKA BURNING LOVE does his best running on the front end and figures to make the lead tonight. He could be tough to catch with Ouzts aboard.
Race 8
HAY NET just missed when dropped to the bottom last out and a repeat of that one makes him a winner tonight. HANSEN GONE WEST exits the same race as the top pick. He figures to get a good trip from his outside post and is the one to beat. ANN’S O’PRADO fits in here.
