We have some Friday night stakes action, along with deep and competitive fields this evening at Turfway Park. The Forego Stakes will be run as Race 5, which drew an overflow field of 13 sprinters.
Race 1: $5,000 Claiming N1Y, F/M, 5 Furlongs: My Picks: 9-4-7
Even at this level, it’s interesting to see a 5 Furlong sprint with such little early speed signed on. Ready To Charm (9) may be the beneficiary, as she looks like the horse with the best gate speed in the group. She’s won twice at the distance and now tries synthetic for the first time. Her pedigree suggests that she should handle the new surface. Drama Run (4) is very logical after running a strong race in open $5K claiming here last month, at the same distance. She’s second off the layoff, which has been a good angle for her trainer, Steven Cahill, with a limited sample size. Hey Hey (7) has been lousy on the dirt in her last few tries, but if she can revert to her turf and synthetic form, she should be more competitive tonight.
Race 2: $15,000-$10,000 Maiden Claiming, 1 Mile: My Picks: 5-2-11
This is not the strongest field for the condition, so perhaps Sky Bolt (5) can take advantage of that while dropping in class. He debuted with a respective 4th place finish on the grass with maiden special weight company at Belterra in September. He dropped to maiden claiming company her for his second start in December, but met a very salty $30K maiden claiming field, where the second and third place finishers have come back to score in their next starts. He was near the pace that day with a wide draw before fading late. He should be more fit in this start and gets notable class relief. Goodtime Artie (2) is a logical player in here after a decent second place finish at this level last time out. He had a wide draw that day, and now gets an inside post where he should be able to save some ground. Adding Lasix could also be a plus for him. Dawn West (11) has a tricky post, but he’s been getting closer in his last two starts. He’s been gelded since his last start, which could be a plus for him, at last from a racing standpoint.
Race 3: $5,000 Claiming N2Y, 1 Mile: My Picks: 7-3-2
This is a tough claiming spot, as several of these horses have shown significant regression in form when racing on synthetic surfaces. I’ll side with Inheritthewind (7) who dropped into a similar level last time out, and ran a credible third place. He gets a better post today and comes in with better turf form than dirt form in his career. I expect him to run a better race here. Determinator (3) was second in the same race as Inheritthewind last time out. He’s one of the more consistent horses in this race that also have shown ability on the track. Love Your Buttons (2) has better speed figures than most of the field. He hasn’t run since September and drops in class for his first local start. He should be well supported at the windows, but the drop is a little concerning as he beat 10K claimers in his last outing.
Race 4: Maiden Special Weight, 3yoF, 6 and ½ Furlongs: My Picks: 8-7-4
This is a pretty deep maiden special weight race that features some interesting first time starters. At 6 and ½ furlongs, I usually prefer those with some experience, so I’ll put Miller’s Maiden (8) on top. She debuted nicely in a turf sprint at Indiana Grand in November. She’s been working well at Keeneland on their training track in the interim, and she should appreciate the added distance. Twenty Carat (7) debuts for Wesley Ward with a long string of consistent workouts, many coming over this course. She probably has the best pedigree of anyone in here and debuts for Wesley Ward, who wins with 30% of his first time starters. There’s not likely to be much value here, and if she’s cold on the board, I might look elsewhere, however, she’s very logical on paper. Joyful Cadence (4) is another first time starter from a good first out barn. There’s plenty of speed in her pedigree, sired by Runhappy (who broke his maiden at Turfway on synthetic) out of a Forestry mare. I’d like her a little more at 6 Furlongs for her debut, but I still think she’s live.
Race 5: The Forego Stakes, 6 and ½ Furlongs: My Picks: 5-6-9
This race appears to be Lookin’ To Strike’s (5) race to lose. His synthetic form in sprints is strong and he just looks faster than the majority of the field. This gelding has tactical speed, so he can win near the front end or coming from off the pace. I think there’s some horses that will be tiring late, setting the table nicely for him. Made In America (6) has four strong efforts on synthetic surfaces, including a close second in allowance company here last out. He is second off the layoff now and is deserving of a chance to tackle stakes foes for the first time. Dabo (9) makes sense to me as an exotics threat as he was closing well late in his last race. He cuts back in distance after two races going longer. His sprinting form is better, and his efforts at Arlington and Presque Isle this summer would be very competitive in this spot.
Race 6: Optional $50,000 Claiming/NW1X Allowance, 3yoF, 1 Mile: My Picks: 5-2-4
I’m hoping to get a little better than 4-1, but I’ll take a chance on Poca Mucha (5) here. I like playing horses with a versatile pedigree on synthetic surfaces. She is sired by Breeders Cup Mile winner Tourist, and out of a Badge of Silver mare. Badge of Silver was a graded stakes winner on turf and dirt and was third in the 2005 Breeders’ Cup Mile. She’s already proven at the distance, breaking her maiden at Indiana Grand and she followed that effort up with a decent 5th place finish in a salty one turn mile race at Churchill at these conditions. This race feels like a drop in class and I think she can prevail if she likes the track. Miss Eau De Vie (2) was second at this level last month in her first try on synthetic. Her speed figure dropped from her turf races last time, but I suspect she’ll improve in her second try on this course today. Into Vanishing (4) broke her maiden on this course last month in her first try on a synthetic surface. If she’s able to improve a bit, she’ll be in the conversation here.
Race 7: Optional $25,000 Claiming/NW1X Allowance, F/M, 1 Mile and 1/16: My Picks: 3-7-9
Straitouttapopcorn (3) cleared this condition here in March, so she’s in for the tag tonight. She ran a solid fourth against better horses on New Years Day here. She drops in class and finds a field that looks a bit soft for this condition. She makes the most sense in this bunch to me. Dolci (7) takes a big step up in class after dominating $15K maiden claimers on this course last time out. Bejarano opts to stick with her and she’s here under the allowance conditions, so the barn has interest in protecting this $195,000 purchase. Centerfold Angel (9) had some trouble at the start while sprinting last time out. She’s historically been a better two turn horse and should improve tonight.
Race 8: $5,000 Maiden Claiming, F/M, 6and ½ Furlongs: My Picks: 2-10-9
Despite the condition, I’m expecting the finale tonight to be pretty formful. Winging Ways (2) was a strong second at this level last time out. That was his best try in seven career starts. I think he likes the surface and should be able to use his speed and his inside draw to his advantage. No Nay Now (10) disappointed at 3-5 with 15K maiden claimers last time out. He hits the bottom, which isn’t encouraging but there’s not a lot of depth here. He’ll be a short price again, so I’ll use him cautiously, as he’s disappointed at a short price before. Zoodles (9) is a consistent type that appears to be more on an exotics candidate, than a win candidate. Stretching out to 6 and ½ Furlongs should benefit him.