R1- After cancelling on Thursday and Friday we finally get to run on Saturday night. 4- Unstabled was reluctant to load and hooked a wide trip on New Year’s Eve. Broke from the 10 hole and was caught wide early with the short run to the clubhouse turn endured by outside posted horses going the one mile at Turfway. Two back was a solid winner at Churchill at this level. Solid connections in Drury and Franklin help the confidence level on the top pick. 6- Takin the Sloroad was a open length winner on 1/10 against open $8,000 claiming company. Expect another solid effort on the raise third off the layoff. 2- Mr. Grey is a reliable sort who should be a good underneath horse to rely on. If he gets pace to run at, then he’ll have a shot to win.
R2- Bottom level maiden claimers kick off the Saturday early pick 4. 5- Zapper has been consistent in his three starts at the meet so far. Solid second last time against $7,500 claiming company last time. Now drops in for $5,000. Should be double tough under jockey Machado. 7- Skydere makes his third start off the layoff and should make a good account of himself tonight. Just missed at the this level last time. 8- Scouting was in that photo with Skydere last out and carries similar form into the race as our second choice. Consistent sort for the level could also be right there.
R3- Flashin Theflowers showed speed and faded on 1/19 at this level. That was his first start off the layoff and he should move forward with that race underneath him. We’ll hope Lagunes can set a comfortable lead and take this group wire to wire at a healthy 12-1ML. 1- Warleggan just beat a nose at level on the 19th when running down the top pick. Should save ground from the rail and has a legitimate win chance. The second choice has a much more likely chance of winning the race, but we side with our top pick simply because of price. 4- Dial One stretches out while getting a jock switch to the 10 pound apprentice Tormey who looks the first career win. Should be in good position and with the weight break can be in the trifecta mix. 10- Sabbatarian should move forward second off the layoff and if a trip is worked out from the wide 10 post then he can post a big win threat.
R4- 6- Sir Yarnallton was second last out at this level and distance. In a race with a 6-5 favorite we question whocan get the distance and many first time starters, we’ll side with the proven form on paper. 8- Niffler goes first time out for tag for the Connelly barn. Hustle rider Ouzts signed on and should forwardly place this gelding. Steady series of drills suggest this guy has the fitness to hit the board on debut. 7- Strike Play is a vulnerable favorite out of the Ward barn. Not sure he can get the mile. Nonetheless on the drop and with high winning percentage connections, he merits respect. Don’t bet the farm on this guy though.
R5- Multiple contenders come out of a foggy race on 1/19 where no times were assigned so this race is a little ambiguous to us. Tred lightly with your plays. 4- Impulsive drops way down from descent efforts at maiden claiming $30,000 level to $7,500 level today. The reliable jockey Prentice in the irons helps the case. 8-Vorticies was second of eight last time at this level earning a Beyer Speed Figure that’s competitive with this group. We expect this guy to be right there today.
R6- Lucy’s Town drops down to $15,000 claiming company after being raised to allowance company off the claim from a 9 length win. This mare should sit a good stalking trip under Franklin and is our top pick to kick off the late pick three. 5- Go Stellaire should be more competitive taking the blinkers off today and the switch to McKee in the saddle. 4- Pinotage comes in off a slight break since that disappointing race Maryland. Steady series of drills over the Keeneland synthetic training track suggest this one will take to the Turfway polytrack and bring a good effort today.
R7- 1-Rulelikecleopatra is a regular in the Turfway winner’s circle boasting a 18-9-4-2 lifetime record at this track. She comes in off an open length score and competitive speed figures. Reliable jockey in Franklin and trainer in Danner help the case in swallowing what projects to be a price below the 3-1ML. Days best bet. 10- Truly Val drops in class from starter allowance company into this open $8,000 level today. She was 2nd and 3rd against a tougher level of horses in the last two races, so the drop against softer today should make her highly competitive. 6- Parking Ticket should be closing late in a race that on paper shows a lot of speed. 7- Love the Power won at this level last time out on 1/19 and can easily win this race…. Competitive race overall and wouldn’t blame anyone who went all in the late pick four.
R8- 2- Aces and Eights goes as the day’s co-best bet. Solid second at the level last time. Should move forward today off that race. Well thought of horse owned by Pocket Aces Racing was originally given to prominent trainer Steve Margolis. Now with the consistently higher percentage blue collar stable Susan Anderson for the Turfway meet. 10- Pray for Kitten was upgraded to second last out because of a disqualification. 0-22 lifetime record for this gelding stops us from putting him on top. But he is a season racehorse who can be in the mix late. 9- Dee’s Ronnie has improved in each of his three career starts. Another move forward should put him near the wire with the rest of these under Machado.