Turfway Park’s Mike Battaglia provides daily selections and comments for the Tribune during the live racing meets.
Battaglia
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12
Race 1
DREAM SATURDAY is riding a two-race win streak over this track and looks like solid bet to make it three in a row with Machado picking up the mount. STATELY OAK is also good right now. He comes off an impressive win and is the one to beat. PRINCETONIAN was no match for the top pick last out but will be running at the end.
Race 2
BREWS TOONIE TOSS has been in the money in seven of her last ten races while winning three times. She comes off a solid race in her Turfway debut last out and gets the nod in here. HOLY COOKIE drops back in against bottom claimers and will be tough at this level. SURELY DIMPLE could run well at decent odds.
Race 3
JACKSON CHROME may have needed his last race after a two-month layoff. He should move forward tonight and looks best with Prescott back aboard for Kim Hammond. ARTEGON is an invader from Hawthorne with the speed to be on or near the lead and could be hard to catch. HUGH B. beat the top pick last out and also has good early speed.
Race 4
PUPPY ON A STRING stopped badly last out but could find herself on the lead in a race with very little early speed. She could spring the mild upset with her best performance. MUNCHIES just missed last out and a repeat of that one makes her the one to beat. BELA MENINA fits with these.
Race 5
ACES AND EIGHTS failed as the favorite last out but should get a good trip from the outside post tonight. He rates the slight edge in what looks like a very well matched sprint. WINTER RAIN ran a good race after a long layoff. He has been off for another six weeks since that start but still figures to be the one to beat. PRAY FOR KITTEN is a solid threat.
Race 6
SHARED SILENCE is a lightly raced four year old with a solid record over the Turfway Poly. She has been off since July but has posted a couple of solid recent works and anything close to her best would make her a winner in this one. KANTASTIC was claimed off a winning effort last out and moves up in class for her new connections. She has been very consistent and has to be respected despite the class hike. SUGARSUGARSUGAR has just two wins in 31 career starts but her last couple of races have been solid.
Race 7
TRAPPE VALLEY hasn’t won in a while but has a good record over this track and appears to be in a good spot to break that losing streak tonight. WILD ZAMBEZI is always tough at this level and has the speed to be in contention throughout. LUCKY PERFECTION was dead last at Churchill in his most recent race but drops back to the bottom and fits with these.
Race 8
I’M A LUCKY GUY will be running late in a race that should have a legitimate pace. He rates the edge with Lezcano back aboard for Tom Van Berg. KITTEN FOR GRANNY was well beaten when dropped to this level last out but this looks like an easier spot and he will be tough in this one. SKYSWEPT needed his last two after a long layoff and will improve.
