DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, April 18, 2025
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Daily Racing Form has served as the most trusted source of news and information about the sport since 1894, and moving forward we have decided to provide a free daily playbook – something that both hardcore horseplayers and casual observers can reference to get informed of each day’s action.
2:48 AQU 4th MOMMASGOTTAGUN (#1, 4-1) was noticeably green in her sprint debut last April, before immediately improving in her next two starts - both over wet tracks; got wired off the layoff, then took a nice step forward when carrying a long, wide run to victory going this distance last time; still has room to improve, which she will likely have to do as she steps up in class. – Mike Beer
">:: Get DRF Kentucky Oaks & Derby Betting Strategies by Marcus Hersh and David Aragona. Full analysis and wager recommendations!2:58 OP 4th There are a number of capable options in this spot. AIN'T THAT A KICK (#5, 15-1) shortens up a tad to one of his best distances. – Mary Rampellini
3:08 KEE 5th SANCTIFY (#3, 30-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh).
3:12 GP 5th GENUINE GOMO (#2, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Welsch).
3:43 GP 6th R FIREBIRD (#5, 8-1) received a very questionable ride in her last when breaking well then hauled far behind field before finding best stride too late with same bunch on 3/22. Speedy sort might wake up at a square price if allowed to show her best early foot with red hot Morelos taking the reins. – Mike Welsch
4:00 SA 1st LET SEAMUS GO (#3, 5-1) drops to maiden-50 for his eighth start, and benefits by a return to turf after finishing last in an experimental try on dirt. The MSW-to-MCL colt has run relatively fast against better rivals; he has enough speed to set or press the pace in a field light on real speed. If he can stay a mile and one-eighth, it's his race to win. – Brad Free
4:36 OP 7th BANG BANG FURY (#7, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mary Rampellini).
4:50 TAM 9th DEAR SANTA (#6, 20-1) was caught too far off the early pace and then floated wide on the turn in is latest, a disappointing race for him but one that can be overlooked some given the strong back Beyers; one more shot, as he can compete with these given his best effort and he should once again be a very nice price. – Scott Ehlers
4:54 AQU 8th FULL POUR (#6, 12-1) was away last from the gate and raced very greenly while outrun early in her sprint debut behind a blowout, odds-on winner; appeared to need that experience, and she stretches out right away with the pedigree to handle added distance. – Mike Beer
5:16 KEE 9th OCCULT (#7, 7-2) could offer a somewhat better win price than the published odds, as I suspect both Just F Y I and Tarifa could take more action than forecast. Seven-race losing streak dating to 2023 but get the feeling age 5 could be her time - despite the December defeat at odds-on. Handled well in lone start over KEE dirt for distant second behind champion Idiomatic in Spinster last fall, and that 9f trip might stretch her a bit. Was quite taken with what looked like a very strong work outside G1 winner Raging Sea on March 16. – Marcus Hersh
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