 | Battaglia's PicksTrack announcer, oddsmaker, and TV commentator Mike Battaglia offers his best picks on Turfway races every day. Brought to you by Bud Select.Thursday, September 9 | Friday, September 10 |  |
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9: OPENING DAY!
Race 1
WELLS FARGO didn't fire last time out at River in a race won by his entrymate. A return to the form he showed on the all-weather tracks in California would make him tough to beat here. KING EXPRESS drops in class and is definitely the one to beat in the opener. BIRMAN ran well at Ellis and is a solid threat.
Race 2
HE'S NO PIKER was beaten as the favorite in each of his last two starts at Canterbury but should like the return back to Turfway, where he's been out of the money only once in six starts. Give him a slight edge in a wide open field. TRIPLE NINE FINE didn't fire at Ellis last time out but was running well before that one and looks like the one to beat if he takes to the surface. GENTLEMAN SCHOLAR has the tactical speed to be well placed throughout and is a definite contender.
Race 3
TWILIGHT BAY ran a game second against similar at Ellis last time out. He shouldn't mind the switch in surfaces today and is the choice for the win here. CAT SPRINGS didn't show much at Ellis last time out but ran well in his two previous starts and definitely looks capable of winning here on the drop in class. TRICKY KITTEN shows some decent works over the track here at Turfway for Maker, whose horses have been running well lately.
Race 4
CARDIFF ROAD comes in off two solid races on the grass at Ellis despite having trouble in both. He's run well over the surface here at Turfway in the past and could score here at decent odds. CUSTERS LAST STAND drops in class after a few dull efforts against tougher in New York and looks like the one to beat. PANDA definitely looks capable of winning here.
Race 5
TENPIN ALLEY looked very sharp drawing off to win by eleven last time out at River. He's proven over the track at Turfway and looks best in a wide open field. EL POLLO VOLANDO has won three of his last four coming into this one and is the one to beat. BAIL BABY BAIL has to be considered on the drop in class.
Race 6
GRANNY RAMSEY ran a solid race in her debut sprinting on the turf at Ellis. She's bred to like the move around two turns and is the choice to pick up the maiden win here. HIP HIP has been idle since July when she ran a close second at Arlington. She's been training well at Keeneland since that one and could be dangerous here. ENGLISH GIRL has been in the money in seven of her eleven career starts and has the ability to win here.
Race 7
SATAN'S PLUME likes this track and drops to a career low claiming leveL. Drury adds blinkers tonight and this one rates the edge despite the layoff. DEVIL'S LIL BIT ran an even race against similar at Presque Isle last time out. She has the tactical speed to be well placed throughout and is the one to beat. SCILLY moves back in for a tag after a nice win at Lincoln State Fair in her last start and could be tough if she handles the Polytrack.
Race 8
GO LYDIA GO didn't run a bad race against a tough field at Ellis last time out. She shows a very sharp work here at Turfway since that one and has two wins over the track, so give her a slight edge here. MAESTRO MISS has never been worse than second in four starts over an all-weather track and looks like the one to beat. LAVENHAM has been off since mid-June when she won three in a row at Indiana. She has four wins here at Turfway and looks capable of running well here despite the move up in class.
Race 9
KNOCKOUT KING drops in class in his first start back since May and is the choice to pick up the win against a weak field. WRIGHT TRIBUTE shows some even efforts against similar and is a contender. TUXEDO AFFAIR has a chance.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
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