Turfway Park resumes racing with $2,639 Super Hi 5 carryover on tap

Are you tired of winter weather? Raise your hand if you’re ready for spring!

While spring doesn’t technically begin until Mar. 20, weather conditions have improved sufficiently in Kentucky for Turfway Park to resume racing on Wednesday, following a 2 1/2-week hiatus. Horses last faced the starter at Turfway on Feb. 6, with every card since then being cancelled due to poor weather or track conditions.

All this time, there’s been a $2,639 Super Hi 5 carryover waiting to be dispersed. The long-awaited pot will finally go up for grabs in Race 8 on Wednesday, a $7,500 maiden claiming race with an overflow field of 14 entries.

Playing such a challenging wager on a reasonable budget is tricky; with a base bet of $1, costs can add up quickly. Fortunately, morning line favorite #9 Conoloway (5-2) looks like a reliable runner to key on top, helping reduce expenses.

After all, Conoloway is a clear-cut standout in terms of Brisnet Speed ratings. Whereas none of her rivals have cracked the 70 plateau in the last year, Conoloway has done so five times. In her local debut on Jan. 14, Conoloway handled the Turfway Tapeta track just fine, rallying to finish third in a $15,000 maiden claiming race. Dropping down two or more class levels is a winning move 23% of the time for trainer Mike Maker, so Conoloway looks tough to beat in Wednesday’s one-mile heat.

Underneath, we have to respect #3 Prado Amore (4-1), runner-up when favored over this course, distance, and class level on New Year’s Day. Wednesday’s race contains very little pace on paper, so Prado Amore’s tactical speed can be an asset, allowing the daughter of Paddy O’Prado to secure a favorable trip. Plus, trainer Dale Romans wins at a lofty 31% rate with runners beaten as the favorite in their previous start, so there’s no reason to think Prado Amore won’t fire another big shot on Wednesday.

#2 Osprey Court (4-1) and #8 Ronan (8-1) are other logical contenders with encouraging form over this class level, but if you want to include a longshot, why not consider #7 Gray Nay (12-1)? Her last three runs on turf were uninspiring, but Gray Nay posted competitive Brisnet Speed ratings against tougher company at Turfway last winter. Sire Conquest Curlinate showed talent on synthetic, so switching surfaces might reawaken Gray Nay’s competitive spirit.

Here’s how we suggest playing the Super Hi 5:

$1 Super Hi 5: 9 with 3 with 2,7,8 with 2,7,8 with 2,6,7,8,11 ($18)
$1 Super Hi 5: 9 with 2,7,8 with 3 with 2,7,8 with 2,6,7,8,11 ($18)
$1 Super Hi 5: 9 with 3 with 2,7,8 with 6,11 with 2,7,8 ($12)
$1 Super Hi 5: 9 with 2,7,8 with 3 with 6,11 with 2,7,8 ($12)
Total: $60

Good luck!