Picks at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park for December 17

John Mucciolo provides spot plays for winter horse racing at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park. Watch for possible carryovers!

Fair Grounds

Race 2

#3 Fiat Lux (6-1) showed improvement on the class drop in a first try for Rubley off the long break, and a forward move is expected second time back. Carpe Diem sophomore ran mostly evenly in an off-the-turf endeavor at this venue, and the Florida-bred could thrive trying the lawn for the initial time.

Race 6

Special weight dash on the green for fillies and mares attracted a big field of 11, and I will look to the outside in the contest. #11 Red Hot Babe (5-1) showed some early life in a sprint at Churchill Downs on debut and will take a big step forward on Thursday. Distorted Humor filly is out of 2014 American Oaks (G1) heroine Room Service, who was also trained by Catalano, and her last two morning drills indicate that she is ready to deliver.

Race 9

Dash for 2-year-olds fillies attracted a baker’s dozen, and #12 Mollys Flying High (5-2) looks imposing for Faucheux. Custom for Carlos filly has flashed potential from a pair of tries with special weight foes, and she looks like a potential single to close out the card on the class drop beneath Murray.

Turfway Park

Race 5

The Neil Howard-trained #8 Regal Song (9-2) has flashed speed in two turf races to kick start her career for a conditioner who doesn’t crank them up early on. Noble Mission filly did rate while on the lead in a turf event at Churchill Downs most recently, and I think that she will love the surface change, as well as the post while outside of much of the other speed in the cast.

Race 6

#5 Madame Overserved (4-1) looks like lone speed on the stretch out from six furlongs under Talamo. Morey trainee has some positive experience from two All-Weather outings to date, and this barn wins at a high rate when moving from the dirt to the synthetic, overall. Curlin filly gets the nod in a well-matched field.