Final Version: McLean’s Selections for Turfway Park on Thursday, March 31

We are ready to kick off another exciting week of live Thoroughbred action at the “New & Improved” Turfway Park this week — which will conclude with the lynchpin of the meet and the Jeff Ruby Steaks on Saturday.

Can’t wait until the track fully reopens on Sept. 1 and we are back to watching and wagering on the Ruby live and in person in 2023. What a great time that always is to kick start the Spring racing season in Kentucky.

Here’s our picks for this Thursday:

1st: 2-7/1-5-6/3-8/4…Areyoutalkingtome (2) added the blinkers back last time out and still didn’t get the job done, even with the meet’s go-to rider on his back. But in this field of study? This may be the 8YOs best shot. Like in? Ever. Has won only 5 of 65 lifetime tries, but this could be #6. Not bullish, by any means, but looks the best of this lot. North Elkhorn (7) could get the job done in the ole’ lid-lifter, too. Ran 3rd here at this level on March 18. In 12 runs here, has a record of 3-1-2. Rider has 8 wins in 80 mounts this meet. Weak group, even for the “bargain bin.” I bet the 2-7 across the board and then box these two in the exactas. I will key the 2-7 over/uneer the 1-5-6-3-8 in two smaller units.

2nd: 5-3-2/4-8/1-6-7…Irresistable Lady (5) is a 3YO Outwork filly who has run two solid efforts so far this meet. Barn wins with a whopping .27% in the third start off a layup, and should fit nicely with these types. Will be coming late and that style has not been the best over this surface. Up against it. Chrome Savage (3) picks up a huge rider change here with the move from Tampa to Northern KY. Drops from the MSW ranks to the MCL level here, too, and the barn wins with .13% of those that make the first start for this trainer. Not shown much, but the drop could help immensely here. Gorilla Girl (2) ran much better at this level last time out. Just missed 2nd by a skinny nose. Gets a veteran in the bike, and could be a threat when coming in the lane. I bet the 5-3 across the board and then box the top 3 in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 4-8 in two smaller units.

3rd: 9-3/4-6-8/2-5/1-7…Under the Couvers (9) is full of speed and will use it early and often. Can he hold on late? That is the big question, but the drop to the “bargain bin” could help in that regard. Last time at this level? Won by a neck. Could do it again here. Especially with this group. I bet the 9 to win/place/show and then box the 9-3 in the exactas. I will key the 9 over/under the 3-4-6-8-2-5 in two smaller units.

4th: 1-2/4-6/3/5-7-8-9…Cardiac Kid (1) has been pecking at the winner’s circle door in the last three outings. Will get the blinkers for the first time here, and the barn wins with .14% of the last 42 to get the shades added. Will be the 3rd start off the layoff, too, and the barn wins with .20% of those kind. New rider could help and the ban wins with .25% of those returning as a beaten favorite. I’m in. I bet the 1 across the board and then box the 1-2 in the exactas. I will key the 1-2 over/nder the 4-6-3 in two smaller units.

5th: 9-4-6/12/3-8/5-11/2…Vivid Verse (9) has run well here in the past, with 3 wins and 3 seconds in just 7 starts over this track. Looks formidable here, as well, for a barn that has won win .21% of the last 238 over the AW surfaces. Rider has won with .09% of the last 23 races for this barn. Souper Highvoltage (4) has run in two Stakes here since Jan. 1. Ran 2nd in the Holiday Cheer Stakes here on New Year’s Day. Should appreciate the drop here and in 8 previous tries here, he has a record of 3-1-1. I’m in here, too. I bet the 9 across the board and then box the 9-4-6 in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 12 in two more smaller units.

6th: 1-7-2/3/4-6/5-8…Blarney Girl (1) drops from the allowance ranks back to the $15,000 level here and last time here and in that grouping? Won. Could do it again here for a barn that has won .21% of the  last 332 starts over the last two years. top barn operation. This one has gone 2-0-1 in 4 starts here, to date. I bet the 1 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the top 3 numbers over/under the 3 in two smaller units.

7th: 5-7-2/1A-6/8-9-4/1-3…Chrome’s Right (5) is a 3YO son of California Chrome and was bred by some of the folks that owned and raced the sire. Still owned by them, too. This one nearly won at Gulfstream Park last time out over the AW surface there. Was 2nd. Should be a real tough out here with the meet’s run-away leader in the saddle. I’m in. Again. I bet the 5 across the board and then box the top 3 numbers in the exactas. I will key the 5 over/under the 7-2-1A-6 in two smaller units.

8th: 6/5/2-7-9/1-4/3-8…The first “Key Play of the Night” comes here with Vaccine of Hope (6). This 3YO daughter of Pioneerof the Nile is trained by Wesley Ward, who has won with .26% of the first 53 starters here this meet. Gets Lasix for the 2nd time, and the barn wins with .31% of those. Sharp work here on March 25, and the leading rider has gone 4-2-2 in the last 14 ups. I bet the 6 to win/place and then key the 6 over/under the 5-2-7-9 in the exactas. More with the 5. 

9th: 5/6/8-3/2-4-9/1-7…The second “Key Play of the Night” comes in the finale and with First Royal (5). This 3Yo First Samurai filly has run 3 really good ones in a row and is closing in on that initial victory. Drops to half the asking price of the last outing and the barn wins with .24% of those returning as a beaten favorite. Look out. I bet the 5 across the board and then key the 5 over/under the 6-8-3-2-4-9 in the exactas. Lots more with the 6 than the rest.

Good Luck & All the Best / Gene