DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, April 24, 2020
With most other North American sports being shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, we hope the sport of horse racing can entertain you during these trying times. 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.
12:24 TAM 1st HONEST GINGER (#2, 4-1) makes her third start off the layoff and stretches out from a sprint to a route for her local debut, luring leading rider Gallardo; figures to be prominent from the start from her inside post, and given the uncertain race flow in this opener. -Kenny Peck
12:52 TAM 2nd CPL. DIONICIO (#4, 3-1) disappointed at a short price in his latest but he didn’t run a bad race at all, making a premature move due to a controlled pace and flattening out late; he’s better than that running line might indicate and he’ll be able to prove it given a better pace scenario this afternoon. -Kenny Peck
1:21 TAM 3rd SILENT MISCHIEF (#9, 7-2) was 9th, beaten over 21 lengths against lesser, and while that doesn’t endear him to handicappers it’s the trip that tells the story, as he was caught wide early before making a middle move to contend for the lead, understandably faltering late; prior try was solid, as he closed to finish 2nd to the lone speed in a paceless race, and he also ran well in his local bow three back. -Kenny Peck
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2:35 OP 2nd RANSOMED (#5, 3-1) is appealing as an eight-time winner facing some lessexperienced rivals, while another of interest is the same race is the multiple stakesplaced JOSIE THE E F FIVE (#7, 10-1). -Mary Rampellini
2:35 OP 2nd JOSIE THE E F FIVE (#7, 10-1) merits a close look in this starter sprint for fillies and mares who have started for $12,500 claiming or less in their last three starts. She won by 5+ lengths for $12,500 when dropped 50 percent in price two back. She was outgunned last time when bumped back up to $25,000. Her trainer, Kim Puhl, won two races last Sunday, both with horses dropping significantly – Mia Promessa ($42) and Sing Him a Song ($14.80). – Jim Dunleavy
2:55 TAM 6th UKNOWTHEDRILL (#7, 8-1) makes his debut in a seemingly soft spot, as this appears to be an average field for the class level; unraced dam’s lone starter posted her lone win on the grass but gelding has been training well on the main track, showing speed in a few of those breezes. -Kenny Peck
3:07 GP 3rd GRAN MICHELLE (#5, 7-2) one of a pair of new faces in this lineup along with Gran Etiqueta and seemingly the better of the Barboza duo. Wouldn’t have to be much to win at first asking here. -Mike Welsch
3:35 OP 4th BLUNT FORCE (#2, 6-1) claimed last fall and caught three wet tracks in a row before winning her most recent start, a Delta allowance. She got a two-turn 7f there and suppose there’s some question if she really wants 1 1/16 miles here, but price should be right to find out. She’s the “other” Amoss and could drift up. Three OP works sparkle – went back to start of career and she’d never come close to working that fast in her life. – Marcus Hersh
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3:43 GP 6th THE GOSPEL OF JOHN (#1 10-1) shows up for straight tag for first time off series of dullish efforts but with a new set of blinkers and a couple of decent works under her belt since latest try. Might have found the right niche today to get back on winning track for first time since graduation day. -Mike Welsch
4:06 OP 5th GANGLY (#8, 5-1) gets the nod in a competitive field for his effort against a sharp older horse two back at Oaklawn. He was second to Sonny Smack, a multiple winner at the meet, in a starter allowance over this mile and a sixteenth distance. -Mary Rampellini
4:15 GP 7th KRAMMY BOY (#1, 10-1) has held his form extremely well save for aberration due to early trouble at a mile two back and might just handle the jump to this level in his current form. -Mike Welsch
4:46 GP 8th SKYE SNOW (#5, 6-1) continues to improve, might just be good enough to take another in current form. -Mike Welsch
5:06 OP 7th GOLDEN NOTION (#4, 4-1) was third last out in a key maiden race, as both the runner-up and eighth-place finisher returned in their next starts to win local maiden allowances with Beyer Speed Figures in the mid-80s. -Mary Rampellini
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5:06 OP 7th BACKSHOT (#1, 8-1), a $350K 2-year-old buy at the Santa Anita sale last June, weakened in his lone start after getting hooked up in a four-horse pace battle in a race won by American Theorem, who came back to finish second in the Grade 1 American Pharoah. He has since joined the barn of Peter Miller, who has worked him weekly 13 times since Jan. 30, including a noteworthy pair of “breezing” moves this month. Expect Backshot to come out running against this not-so-tough group. – Jim Dunleavy
5:38 OP 8th JULIUS (#8, 5-1) was a close-up fourth in a quick race last out and the start was his first since September. He’s since worked a sharp half-mile at Oaklawn. -Mary Rampellini
6:09 OP 9th HOT SHOT KID (#6, 8-1) is a nine-time stakes winner making his first start since September and drills for his return include six furlongs from the gate in a bullet 1:11.60 . -Mary Rampellini
6:38 OP 10th LIAM’S PRIDE (#5, 6-1) may not relish mud as he weakened in goo last time out. He moves off the inside and could fall into a great trip sitting off what figures to be a strong, contested pace. A super work here April 15 is a thumbs-up. – Michael Hammersly
6:38 OP 10th NO PAROLE (#1, 3-1) is plenty fast to make the front and take full advantage of his rail draw. Keep in mind those early speed figures were earned in races where he essentially galloped across the finish. Hoping there’s some skepticism now based on the two lesser performances and fact his wins came in La-bred competition. – Marcus Hersh