DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, April 9, 2021
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.
12:40 LRL 1st COMMANDING GENERAL (#2, 5-1) benefited from a clever Sheldon Russell ride when winning here last month. Russell realized there was no pace in the race and sent the gelding to the front to control slow splits. Farrior-trained runner takes next logical step up the ladder and is proven from off the pace as well. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
12:47 TAM 2nd SECRET LIFE STYLE (#4, 10-1) may be the right value play in this field, as his recent form is muddied a bit after a slow start cost him last time and he was against the race flow two back; has speed but can also rate, and given a favorable set up he may be able to run to his best recent figures, which are surely good enough. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:17 TAM 3rd PASSIONFORTREASURE (#4, 8-1) was behind a couple of these same rivals last time out but she was at a tactical disadvantage as a closers, with a lack of pace in the race giving the edge to the speeds; better pace scenario can help her turn the tables in this rematch. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:20 AQU 1st LEMON DROP ROAD (#1, 9-2) raced greenly while getting outpaced in a tough spot on debut - Crowded Trade returned to just miss in the Gotham with a 95 Beyer, and has since finished 3rd in the Wood Memorial - before putting in a run for third in what appeared to be a useful effort; went a mile over a wet track last time and chased a strong pace in a race that went to closers; cuts back. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:12 KEE 3rd EL KABONG (#4, 6-1) lacked early speed, dropped to the tail of the field and still was last at the three-furlong pole but came with a good, steady run thereafter to get into the mix and post an encouraging final quarter-mile fraction. The rally came inside and after threading some rivals he wound up in a tight spot along the fence, perhaps a little hesitant to go through. Think the 9f will suit and he could be poised for significant second-start improvement. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:17 TAM 5th OL GREY GHOST (#7, 6-1) sprinted on the dirt last time out but he does seem to be at his best going long on the turf, if his recent figures are any indication; note trainer Anthony Granitz’s record with runners moving from sprints to routes, which is the barn’s best angle. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:20 AQU 3rd DREAMPOINT (#2, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:45 KEE 4th No winners but the last six KEE maiden-claiming starters for trainer P Sims have finished 2nd, 3rd, and 4th ie they were live enough. MSW dropper SWEET QUEEN BEE (#8, 10-1) got racing experience over the Turfway Tapeta and worked a near-bullet half-mile on a busy breeze morning April 3 at KEE. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:14 GP 5th SAMARONTI (#5, 7-2) back in familiar hands re-joining Walsh barn with whom he’s spent nearly his entire career. Drops to winning spot off disappointing turf try off the claim. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:18 KEE 5th LIJANA (#3, 6-1) did not come close to showing her best when shipped from FG to GP for a stakes try last out. She’s worked three times since and should be set to rebound with a favorable draw. White Frost has gone onto the shelf but is a very nice filly and Lijana made a good run at her after breaking from post 12 in debut, and she dominated that FG maiden race. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:26 AQU 5th FUTURE VICTORY (#4, 10-1) dropped in class last month at Gulfstream and dominated maiden claimers while making a wide run around the turn; lightly-raced 3yo has the pedigree to go on improving and faces a field full of underachievers in his NY debut for Pletcher - 28 for his last 122 with last-out maiden winners in turf routes, 23%, $2.07 ROI. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:56 TAM 8th SHE DAZZLE (#9, 8-1) impressed in that maiden score three back, and though she failed in her first start vs. winners she had some trouble there, and she was trying to overcome the race flow; well up the course in her first try on the turf last time but that was no easy trip, and she probably prefers sprinting on the main track anyway. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:34 AQU 7th BODECREAM (#5, 5-1) was up against it last time when settling back as Sayyaaf controlled the running in front, and he was racing on gamely in the late stages along with everyone else; thought he ran an excellent race in the Woodchopper two back while aggressively ridden, and he just missed in the Gio Ponti over course and distance prior to that. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:45 LRL 8th EVEN THUNDER (#6, 6-1) turns back in distance seeking hat trick in first start off Gorham claim. Broke slow around two turns last time out, made a three-wide bid to the front outside the quarter pole and was game to put away a stubborn Colonel Juan. While it’s possible he’s more comfortable at longer distances, it’s worth noting he was a multiple stakes-winner going three-quarters earlier in his career. Capable of solid midpack trip if away well from the stalls. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
6:03 KEE 10th $450K auction buy FINE COTTON (#4, 12-1) has an appealing mix of speed and stamina in pedigree and has been pointed to this debut spot all winter while training right along at FG. Likely double digit odds. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets