Race 1 – Open $15,000 claiming three year old fillies kick off the Saturday night program. 4- Rogue Too has been impressive in her last two at the level winning by 10 and 12 lengths in each of her last two. She’s a versatile filly that possesses positional speed to be in a good tracking spot throughout the early to mid-stages of the race. We see no reason she won’t win right back aggressively spotted again by trainer James Chapman. 5- Ryaneaux Spot was cooked up in a speed duel last time losing to the descent filly Workaholic, no shame in losing to her in comparison to today’s foes. A more evenly run race for her and she’ll be in the mix late. Will need to improve to beat ‘Rogue. 2- Tschudi’s Girl was an open length winner against easier Maiden Claming $7,500 company last time. Timer’s were not working as the fog was heavy on 1/17/19, so with no speed figure or final time from that race she’s a bit of a question mark as to how her ability figures to the top two choices. Don’t leave her out. She would be no surprise to this handicapper if she won.
Race 2 – Competitive group of 8 time restricted $5,000 claimers signed on for this race. 2- Money Talker was third behind Red Hot Warrior last time. We’ll hope this guy finds his form from the Woodbine races in 2018 while making his third start at Turfway meet. Reliable jockey and trainer help the case. Any one of four or five of these can win this event. 5- Gateway Arch came up empty in that aforementioned race. But we like consistency this gelding has shown and think his ability to show positional speed should give him every chance to be in winning position turning for home. 6- Wild Zambezi is a threat to go gate to wire stretching out to a route. Backers of him will hope veteran leading rider McKee can dole out this guys speed to keep some punch in the tank for the stretch drive.
Race 3 – Maiden $5,000 claimers is the condition here. Just by nature of this being the weakest condition written at Turfway makes these races sometime chaotic. 8- Tres Troubadours takes the blinkers off and makes his second start of the meet. Love the trainer Huffman. He always wins at a high clip at Turfway. This guy should be on the lead early. And we’ll hope he can hang on late under the very capable Machado. 3- Aces and Eights was no factor on 2/9 at the level. A repeat of the two back race makes him a winner. But we’re questioning what happened in that last race and want to see one off that bad effort before we back him on top. 4- Colombiano was third last time at this level and could be a factor.
Race 4 – Sugar Bow was fifth behind a few common rivals on 12/19 at this level. Been freshened since and could be an interesting option in an open race at 6-1. 6- She Might Tell likes to run second and that’s where we’ve picked her. She certainly has the speed figures and form to win this race, but somehow she keeps coming up short. Nonetheless a win candidate for sure. 7- Sistas Ready will need to bounce back off that dismal effort last time to be a factor today.
Race 5 – Five furlong dash here. 7- Break the Deal should show speed from the outside under Ouzts. With the cutback in distance and drop in class this guys should get the job done at short price and goes as our days best bet. 9- Twinkling Knight makes his third start off the layoff and should be make a good account of himself with Prescott aboard. 1- Ryman will need to work out a trip from the rail and be race ready off the long layoff. But he’s got form that makes him competitive here at a solid 6-1 ML price.
Race 6 – 2 Dogwoods Mendel debuts for the high percentage West barn who does well with first time starting horses. They are usually race ready on debut. Consistent work tab is nothing too special, but this is not a tough bunch either. We’ll take a shot this gal is aggressively spotted to win first out. 6- Curlin Coed was well beaten in both her races at Belterra over the summer. She’s been working well on paper over the Turfway poly for her 2019 debut and if she’s grown up over the last six months then maybe this daughter of world class sire Curlin can get the job done. 7- Fashionablyawesome get McKee the leading rider and figures.
Race 7 – Soulshine lost all chance while stumbing at the start last time. The fact Maker keeps her at this level for one of his big clients Three Diamonds Farm whose not afraid to drop horses if need be, lets me know she’s doing well in the morning and that’s enough for us to pick her on top. 3- Kitten’s Slew was a nice winner on New Year’s Day going the mile in Allowance non winners of three lifetime company. Step up in class today. She’s pace dependent and will be closing, and that’s why we don’t have her on top. But she’ll make her late run. Whether its in time to win it is the question. 5- Lunar Approach ships in off a win at Mahoning Valley on dirt and stretches out. Impressive polytrack win at Arlington in July suggests she’ll do fine on the Turfway poly.
Race 8 – Super Clear was a little disappointing in his last race, but now in for the $7,500 claiming price today we think he’ll find the form from the two and three back races. This is the consistent form pick versus some other contenders coming out of big bands that project to take money. 6- Discreet Technique was never involved against special weight company on debut on 1/18. Now in for $7,500. Decent works leading up to this race. Love the trainer. We easily see a scenario where she’s in the tri today. 3- Coleaquilus hit the board at this level in his last two sprinting. Now stretches out. Easily can win this race both on form and speed figures. BAD FAVORITE OF THE DAY is 1- Link to Destiny.