Turfway Park: Betting the early Pick 3 on Dec. 17

Another day, another enticing evening of racing at Turfway Park.

Eight races are slated to take place over Turfway’s synthetic Tapeta track Thursday, and as usual, the fields are deep and competitive. Overflow entries are the norm rather than the exception. On Thursday, 95 horses are entered across eight races, an average of 11.9 per field.

Want to join in on the action? First post time is 6:15 p.m. ET, and we’ve got a $20 Pick 3 play to get you started.

Race 1: $18,000 claiming (6 furlongs, 6:15 p.m. ET)

In a race that contains little pace on paper, #5 Tiz Red Wine (5-1) is appealing. The 5-year-old mare has flashed meaningful speed over the Tapeta track at Presque Isle Downs and should handle the shift to Turfway just fine.

For good measure, we’ll toss in #7 Summer’s Indy (8-1), who could show improved tactical speed in her first start on synthetic.

Race 2: $15,000 maiden claiming (1 1/16 miles, 6:46 p.m. ET)

#6 Conoloway (3-1) has faced tougher company at Churchill Downs and most notably finishing third for a $50,000 claiming tag two starts back. With hot jockey Gerardo Corrales aboard, Conoloway is an obvious win threat on the drop down the class ladder.

But watch out for #7 Dolci (7-2), who has shipped in from California, after she finished fifth for a $20,000 tag at Del Mar. The daughter of Quality Road has been freshened since the summer and will add blinkers for her local debut.

Race 3: $15,000 claiming (6 furlongs, 7:15 p.m. ET)

We’ll take a stand in the finale, with #3 Cardiac Kitten (5-2), who ran well over the old Turfway Park Polyrack course two winters back.

The son of Kitten’s Joy was last seen when he finished seventh for a $30,000 tag over the Keeneland dirt, but he figures to improve against easier company and with the switch to Tapeta. Keep in mind, trainer Wesley Ward wins at a 41% rate when he drops horses two or more levels down the class ladder.

With Corrales in the saddle, Cardiac Kitten is a logical single to end the Pick 3.

The ticket

Race 1, $5 Pick 3: 5,7 with 6,7 with 3 ($20)

Good luck!