Battaglia
FRIDAY, MARCH 15
Race 1
DARINGLY BOLD has been fairly consistent and figures to be coming from off of what should be an honest pace. Give him the edge. BODHRAN beat the top pick back in February when he made an easy lead. He figures to have company on the front end but will be tough if he gets loose. RYMAN needed his last race.
Race 2
KISS ME KOWBOY flashed speed in her debut and should move forward off that effort. CLASSIC SPRING has been idle since July but drops in class for her return. FAITH IN CATHY woke up last out at huge odds.
Race 3
PROVEN WARRIOR comes off a win and was reclaimed by Kim Hammond, who moves him up in class. He can make it two in a row with Prescott retaining the mount. DREAM SATURDAY comes off a solid runner-up effort and a repeat of that one makes him dangerous. AT GUARD fits with these.
Race 4
BARRISTER JIM was dull in his first race back after a long layoff but likes this track and could wake up tonight. DOUBLE DERINGER has been running well at this level and looks like a solid threat. COURT’S RULING comes off a runner-up effort and is a contender in a well matched race.
Race 5
SOUR PEACH looked sharp winning last out for Peggy Pate. She has the speed to be on or near the lead throughout and can make it two in a row with Azael DeLeon back up. HOLY COOKIE drops back to the bottom and should get a good trip from the inside post, and NATIVE INDY comes off a game win. Both are trained by Doug Danner, who is having a terrific meet.
Race 6
TENKOZ has been freshened since a dull effort in early December. Larry Smith has good numbers with returning runners and could have this one ready to win tonight. KING VALERO drops back in for a tag and ran well at this level two starts back. He looks like the one to beat. UNITY comes off back-to-back wins. He has to be considered but this will be his fourth race in 27 days.
Race 7
DREAM BOAT ANNA was an impressive debut winner for Mike Maker. She faced some tougher company in her last two and rates the slight edge over WONDER STONE in a close call. WONDER STONE also won at first asking. She has been idle since a fifth-place finish in the Astoria but has been training steadily for Wes Ward and will be very tough despite the layoff. CARINA is a contender.
Race 8
DHAFEERA comes off a couple of decent efforts and has the speed to be on or near the lead throughout. She looks like a winner with Machado back aboard for Brett Santangelo. UNEXPECTED VISIT has been running poorly against better in New Orleans and could wake up tonight. KIMBERLEY DREAM is a contender.
