Turfway Park - Free Selections - Opening Night

The cold winter winds are blowing and Florence, Kentucky has its first snow of the season. The Tapeta track is a synthetic blend which does not freeze and has played very safe over the years.

When the track is in the midst of cold, it tightens up a bit and plays closer to speed and stalkers. As soon as we get a rare 40-degree day, they'll bring out the water trucks, and the oval is kinder to closers and late running types. - At the time of this writing it is 27 degrees in Northern Kentucky, and I wanted to wait to see what the weather would bring.

Turfway Park

Race #1 - #10 - Lord Baranoff = Been off for 10 months since Oaklawn last year and is a first time Gelding. Cutting back from two turns and should be mid pack. The last time this Gelding ran in Mdn Claiming $30,000 he was 75 cents on a dollar and ran a solid runner up that day.

Race #2 - #3 - Ready to Roll = Been off for two months at Belterra and makes the turf to AW switch where trainer Thomas Van Berg wins 20%. His last two works were sparkling and the drop in class seals the deal on opening night.

Race #3 - #9 - Evening News = Speedy son of Nyquist and is coming in fresh off the claim and was a beaten favorite last out where the barn scores at a 13% and 5/7 ITM at Turfway Park.

Race #4 - #10 - Sant' Antimo = Drops in class and is 4/9 ITM over the course. Manny Esquivel in the saddle for Uncle Jesus. They win 20% and 20% ITM as a team.

Race #5 - #3 - Penalty Box = 2nd start off the layoff and has been a beaten favorite his last two. Trainer Mike McCarthy wins 35% on this move and Irad Ortiz in the irons is a plus on opening day.

Race #6 - #4 - Ms. Temptation = Comes off a 49 day break in Indy and she is 7/20 ITM over the TP oval.

Race #7 - #9 -Candles Legacy = Filly by Higher Power who ran a game 2nd at Presque Isle and this is her 2nd lifetime effort. Take a look at the bullet work over the TP oval and trainer Doug Cowans is winning 17% and 54% ITM in 2025.

Race #8 - #3 - Cut to the Chase = Comes off a 52 break from Keeneland and she shows blazing speed for trainer Wesley Ward and Irad Ortiz.

Race #9 - #9 - Royalwithcheese = She drops in class for talented trainer Jeff Hiles. Backs up from 7f to 5 panels and should be right on the engine under Luan Machado.