Battaglia
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24:
Race 1
NARROWS BRIDGE threw in a clunker last out at Gulfstream but a return to her best form would make her a winner in this one. LAKE GIRL has been second in her last three races and will be hard to beat. CHINACATSUNFLOWER drops to a career low claiming level and definitely fits with these.
Race 2
FROST OR FRIPPERY loves this track. He comes off a game win last out and can make it two in a row with McKee back aboard for Jeff Barkley. UNION BOWMAN is now 12 years old and still going strong. He makes his 95th career start tonight and looks like the one to beat for Joe Davis with Prescott up. VICTOR JARA has the speed to be on or near the lead and could run well in this one.
Race 3
FINISHED just broke his maiden in his 15th career start but he did it impressively at this level and can make it two in a row tonight. JUST BE FRANK comes off a couple of decent efforts against better. He will be tough on the class drop. OBTAINED also drops to a career low claiming level and has to be considered.
Race 4
TALK GAME drew the outside post but has the tactical speed to be in good position and gets the nod against a fairly weak bunch. POSITIVE VIBES will be running at the end and figures to be the main competition. MADABOUTHER has finished last in most of his races but he has early speed and drops in class tonight.
Race 5
DA MRS. was a bit overmatched last out but won back-to-back races against bottom claimers and drops back to that level this evening. JILLS PASSION comes off a couple of solid efforts and has the speed to be dangerous. LUNARIS rates a chance.
Race 6
DERBY EXPRESS just missed in his second race back after a four-month layoff. He should move forward off that one and can spring the mild upset with Malcolm Franklin back aboard for Jeff Greenhill. HARD TO BE GOOD was very impressive drawing off in a front-running win last out. He figures to be on or near the lead again from the inside post and is the one to catch. FROGMAN MEL moves up in class after a hard-fought win and is a contender.
Race 7
DANCE STRIKE was a game winner two starts back and was overmatched against much tougher last out. Look for him to regain his winning ways tonight. PERFECT COMIC was very sharp in his win back in December but showed nothing as the favorite last out. He figures to be the one to beat in here. BURNT BLUFF fits with these.
Race 8
WINTER RAIN gets the nod in what looks like a well matched maiden claimer. ACES AND EIGHTS was a neck behind the top pick two starts back and figures to run well again tonight. PRAY FOR KITTEN is winless in 22 starts but has run well over this track.
