We have another 8 race Friday night program at Turfway Park. Field size continues to be a strength at the current meet, creating a lot of money making opportunities if you’re on the right horse.
Race 1: $15,000-$10,000 Claiming N2L, 6 Furlongs: My Picks: 5-8-7
There are some horses in here that are coming off decent maiden wins, while facing winners for the first time, but I prefer a few horses that have already been facing winners. I’ll side with Aldo’s Kitten (5) who was absolutely overlooked in the wagering last out, when he finished a solid third at 33-1 while racing for the same conditions. He’s second off the layoff now and has been a fairly consistent horse. Bigmancan (8) closed well to be 4th with 20K N2L claimers at Churchill last out, despite having a bit of trouble at the break. He broke his maiden at Turfway last year on the Polytrack, beating a maiden special weight field that day. He’s fired fresh before and seems to be adaptable on different surfaces. Macho Madness (7) looks like a different race horse on this surface. In ten previous tries, he had only one on the board finish, but he already has a win and a second place finish in his first two local tries. He takes a step up in class, but I think he stands to go off at a larger price than some of the other recent maiden breakers, and I’m encouraged that he was able to duplicate his first strong effort.
Race 2: $5,000 Claiming N2Y, 1 Mile: My Picks: 9-7-12
You have to love a race where the morning favorite is 5-1! There’s a lot of horses with some flat running lines in this field. I’m hoping that a return to synthetic will wake up Prince Arlo (9) in this spot. He’s exiting a few dirt races at Hawthorne, one of which he won, while using a strong late kick. His turf and synthetic form is actually better than his dirt form, so I’m thinking that he could break his declining speed figure pattern with the surface switch. All Hands On Deck (7) was a winner last out with a softer field. He seems to enjoy racing at Turfway, as he’s won 4 times in 11 starts over the Florence, Kentucky oval, and he’s finished on the board in 5 other tries. He’s definitely a live horse in this spot. Seventy Sevencat (12) might be another race or two away from being at his best form, and the post position will do him no favors. However, he is trending up, and he got significantly better last year as the meet went on. He drops in class for his third start of the meet and a likely to be overlooked in the wagering.
Race 3: Maiden Special Weight, 6 and ½ Furlongs: My Picks: 3-5-2
This is the first of two maiden allowance races on the card, this one for older colts and geldings. I don’t think we’re looking at the strongest field for the condition, so I’ll roll the dice with Scofflaw (3). He gave longshot players a brief thrill as he made the lead in his debut at 77-1, before backing out and being forced to steady late. Steadying didn’t cost him the race, but he probably finished further back then he would have. The connections are unknown, and triple bug apprentice Thiago Canuto has been winless in his first 64 tries, so you’ll have to demand value. However, the first time starters don’t jump off the page, and those with experience are not the greatest. If he goes off over his 12-1 morning line odds, I’ll be willing to play him. Thrill Ride (5) has been facing tougher maiden special weight fields at Churchill and Keeneland. Wilkes kept him here instead of returning to South Florida, so that’s not necessarily a ringing endorsement. If he takes to the surface, he’s the likely winner, but he’ll be a short price and there’s no guarantee he loves the Tapeta. Sag Harbor (2) regressed a bit last out after a posting a big speed figure on the dirt two starts ago while facing maiden claimers at Churchill. He’s been improving in his last few and Asmussen does keep him protected from being claimed again. He’s the main threat to the likely favorite.
Race 4: $5,000 Claiming N2Y, 6 and ½ Furlongs: My Picks: 13-1-8-2
I’m going to need a scratch to get my top choice into the body of the field, but I really like Cacahuete (13) if he can draw in. This Indiana bred is clearly a better turf horse than a dirt horse. Genaro Garcia has been ice cold at this meet, despite winning with 19% of his starters last year. He’s a better two turn horse, but I think he’s interesting cutting back to the 6 and ½ furlongs, especially when it looks like many of these will be folding up in the final furlong. He’s 30-1 on the morning line and definitely worth considering if he makes it in. Supreme Venture (1) is a better horse when he’s being trained by Ethan West. Under West’s tutelage, this horse has three wins and one second place in four ties at Turfway. He had plenty left in the tank after beating lesser foes last out. Pole Setter (8) was a stakes winner on the grass at Belmont in 2019, but he regressed significantly in 2020. He’s never run this cheap before, and his trainer is 0-23 with horses on the synthetic. However, he is a better one turn horse and I think his back class will get him close at this level. Hank The Tank (2) was a beaten second against a weaker field last out. He was claimed by William Morey, and he returns for the same tag. He was very consistent when he was racing on the Tapeta at Golden Gate in 2019.
Race 5: Maiden Special Weight, 3yo, 6 and ½ Furlongs: My Picks: 8-13-7-11
There’s a handful of interesting first time starters in this race that look like they could win at first asking. Turfy (8) debuts tonight and is one of two entrants sent out by Wesley Ward. Corrales, who has been riding first call for Ward at the meet, ends up on Breakthrough (7), but Jimenez is no slouch. His works are decent and Ward knows when they’re ready to debut. Midway Mischief (13) debuted well last month, closing to get second. He’s a $300,000 purchase, so there’s definitely expectations for this guy. I believe he can move forward off his last start if he gets the chance to compete. Breakthrough (7) is the other Wesley Ward horse. He was close two starts back in a turf sprint at Churchill before faltering in a two turn race on the grass at Saratoga. He’s been given time off to grow, and should appreciate the cut back in distance. Conundrum (11) draws near the outside, which isn’t a bad place to be for his debut. He too has shown ability in the AM and could factor in what looks like a tough race.
Race 6: $7,500 Claiming N3L, F/M, 1 Mile: My Picks: 8-3-11
There are two horses dropping in class in this spot that just look faster than many of these. I’ll give the edge to Take Charge Cacky (8) as she is a proven commodity on a synthetic course, winning a few times here last season. She’s now third off a layoff and she drops after running a dull race with better horses. That effort last out is likely enough to beat this group, and I think there’s room for her to build off that start. Lady Jenneviere (3) has some strong efforts on the grass, all of which would be competitive here. Her only local start wasn’t great, but she was very wide in that race, while facing better horses. She draws near the inside, and should improve at this level. Classy Lynn (11) faced slightly lesser last out in her local debut and finished 4th. She’s now second off the layoff and eligible to improve with a race over the course.
Race 7: Optional $40,000 Claiming/NW2X Allowance, 1 Mile: My Picks: 8-4-1
Tonight’s featured race has many chances to get the job done. Lanier (8) ran with better horses last time out and was part of a pace that set things up for closers. He held on gamely to be third despite several horses rolling late. There seems to be less pace signed on in this spot, which should work to his advantage. He’s in for the tag tonight, as he’s already won at this level. Peekacho (4) won the Prairie Bayou a year ago on the polytrack here. He hasn’t had the same punch since, but he is dropping in class and coming out of a race that featured two next out winners. He should get a good trip, getting a better draw that he’s had in a while. Super Sol (1) went from being more of a front end horse early in his career, to a deep closer of late. He’s been competitive in his last two races on this track. I don’t think he gets the best pace scenario, so I’m not sure he’s a prime win candidate, but he makes a lot of sense underneath.
Race 8: $5,000 Claiming N2L, 6 and ½ Furlongs: My Picks: 1-6-14-4
I had the wrong horse on top last month, keeping me from a large score, when I picked Weekend Hideaway (1) underneath at 57-1 on 12/18 here against a better field for the condition. I don’t love the rail draw again for him, but that effort would be good enough to beat this group. Whiskey Chaser (6) might be a candidate to improve off his last effort. He’s probably a better horse on dirt, but his speed figure improved here while following a similar pattern last year. I Prowl Alone (14) is another horse I like tonight that will need help to get into the race. Toss his last where he bore out at the break. He has better efforts on synthetics and should benefit from the far outside post if he makes it in. Classified Info (4) was favored against a better field last out and faltered late to finish third. He’ll likely go off favored, but he had no visible excuse last time and I’m not sure sprinting is what he wants. I’m trying to beat him on top, but I’ll likely cover him as this is not the strongest group.