Battaglia
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17:
Race 1
ROGUE TOO and CROSSING ALASKA form a very strong entry for James Chapman and Rowling Oaks Farm. ROGUE TOO appears to be the better of the two but either one is capable of winning tonight. FLION LYNN LION comes off a game maiden win but would have to improve to beat the top two.
Race 2
MY DARK SECRET has been running against better and drops in against bottom claimers tonight. She has the speed to be in contention throughout and gets the nod with DeLeon back aboard for Jamie Grubbs. CHOPPYCHOPPYCHOPPY just missed at this level last out and looks like the main competition. DULCE DE LECHE rates a chance.
Race 3
HE IS RUTHLESS has been running well at Hawthorne after coming back off a long layoff. He has the speed to make the lead and is capable of the wire-to-wire score for Larry Smith and Luan Machado. INDY RHYTHM will be running at the end and rates a chance at decent odds. DOUBLE DERINGER fits in here.
Race 4
BREAK THE DEAL is a consistent runner who was claimed last out by high percentage trainer Larry Smith. He has a solid record over this track and looks like a good bet to win this one with Ouzts aboard. ROYAL GHOST rates a chance.
Race 5
PISTOL BOX comes off a pair of runner-up efforts at this level and appears to be in a good spot to pick up the win for Tom Van Berg with Lezcano back aboard. ALL HANDS ON DECK has chased the top pick in both of those races and looks second best. ZAPPER gets blinkers for the first time and could improve.
Race 6
MISS PINKERTON showed huge improvement last out, finishing second after setting a fast pace. A repeat of that one would make her tough to catch tonight. BEE BALM was heavily favored against the top pick last out but stopped after pressing that pace. She is capable of better and has to be respected. MY MIDNIGHT AFFAIR is training well for her Kentucky debut.
Race 7
SISTAS READY ran well to finish second in her first race back after a six-month layoff. She figures to move forward off that effort and Charlie LoPresti should have her ready to win with Machado back up. TWIN CHANNEL was an easy winner last out after getting away with some soft fractions. She figures to have some company on the front end tonight but is the one to catch. GALILEO’S MELODY has been off since October but had a recent bullet work and is a contender.
Race 8
MOMMA’S ANGEL showed huge improvement in her first try over the Turfway Poly. She drops a notch in class and a repeat of that one makes her a winner in here. ITS COLD IN DEHERE was no match for the top pick last out but that was her first race and she definitely figures to move forward. TSCHUDI’S GIRL didn’t take to the slop at Fair Grounds and is in much easier tonight.
