 | 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, March 18 | Friday, March 19 |  |
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THURSDAY, MARCH 18
Race 1
LUCKY LASSIE looked very sharp winning here last time out in her first start over the track. She should be in a good spot just off the pace again today and rates a slight edge here. CAT MAGIC takes a big drop in class after two dull efforts at Tampa. She ran a solid race in her only start over this track and looks like the one to beat on the move down in class. ROYAL MARCH was second best behind the top pick last time out and is a contender.
Race 2
TWICE PUNCHED is a perfect two-for-two over this surface and rates the edge in a well matched claiming test. L'GIRAFE has been running very well since moving to Turfway and will be tough despite the class hike. INTEREST ME gets moved back up in class after a nice win last time out when she was claimed. She gets De La Cruz back in the irons today and definitely looks capable of winning here.
Race 3
MOCHA JOE gets moved up in class after being claimed by Woodard last time out, when he ran third as the favorite. He has the speed to be well placed throughout and should improve in his second start over the track. Give him the edge here. DREAM ONLY OF ME went wrong last time out but ran two solid races against tougher before that one and is a contender. TALK IT OUT was no match against a runaway winner last time out facing older horses for the first time but looks capable of running well here.
Race 4
JEFF THE CLOCKER lost all chance when trying to come through on a dead rail last time out. He looked sharp winning here before that one and is the choice for the win here with Mojica picking up the mount. CUB'S POWER shortens back up after being beaten at odds on last time out and looks like the one to beat again today. WIN TUCKER is very consistent and has the ability to win here.
Race 5
CALLINGTHEWEATHER has been beaten as the favorite out of his conditions in three straight but gets back in the proper spot today and rates a slight edge in a wide open field. GO GETEM has been in the money in each of his last five and looks like the one to beat with Stokes back in the irons. FOREVER GLEAMING showed a great deal of improvement last time out after in his first start since December, when he didn't show much in his first start over the track. He gets in light with Creed again today and would be no surprise here.
Race 6
BLUE LION moves back down in class after a disappointing effort as the favorite at Philly last time out. He ran well in each of his two starts at this level at Turfway before his last and is the choice for the win here. HONGKONG SUPERSTAR takes a big drop in class in his first start back since July when he beat much tougher at Arlington. The big drop in class off the long layoff doesn't inspire much confidence, but anything close to his best makes him a winner here. CHEQUE APPEAL moves back in for a tag in his first start since late December when he won against allowance company at Mountaineer. He's been training very well leading up to today and could be dangerous here.
Race 7
STRICTLY drops in for a tag for the first time in her first start since November, when she ran an even race on the grass at Fair Grounds. She's been training steadily for McKeever since that one and rates a slight edge here. SAINTLY WAYS drops in class after being beaten as the favorite in three straight and is the one to beat again today. LOOSELY could be dangerous if she takes to the Polytrack.
Race 8
QUEEN OF ARTS drops in class after an even effort against much tougher last time out and looks best against a weak field today. SIMONE has been in the money in four of her last five and is a contender. DEPUTY DAMSEL is inconsistent but capable of running well here.
Race 9
STARBOARD SIDE takes a big drop in class in his first start since moving to Holt's barn in December. Anything close to his best makes him a winner here. LORD GRAY didn't fire last time out but showed some speed going around two turns before that one and is a contender here. SCRIVENER has a chance.
FRIDAY, MARCH 19
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