DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, August 19, 2022
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 FROG PRINCE (#11, 6-1) dropped in to race midpack and in between after breaking from the far outside, raced behind a sharp pace, then rallied in between for a minor award. Must deal with another wide berth, but seems to be improving. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:00 WO 1st BABY DRIVER (#3, 10-1) had worked well prior to her comeback, during which she closed to finish on the edges, and has since worked nicely. She could do some damage at a square price with the capable Nicholls picking up the mount. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:05 SAR 1st CHEEKY TICO's (#6, 5-1) lone dirt start vs. maiden claimers came two back for a slightly higher tag, where he came away second-best with a co-field-best 71 Beyer; drops back down after contesting the pace vs. a much stronger field going longer last time. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:37 LRL 3rd Trainer Michael Pino went 2 for 3 (67%, $13 ROI) in 2021 with dirt-to-turf runners adding Lasix following layoffs of 214-days or greater, and will repeat that pattern with BATON (#1, 8-1). Claimed for $50,000 two back, he finished ahead of two next-out winners in first for this barn (sixth-finisher returned to graduate for $40,000 on dirt at Parx with a 79 Beyer). The dam won on turf and has already foaled a turf winner. July 22 and July 30 works match up with Pino's Tasweya, a stakes-placed turf performer. Perhaps they breezed in company. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:39 SAR 2nd LADY FIREFOOT (#8, 10-1) debuted sprinting for a lower tag and ran better than it looks while enduring trouble early and late in the running; bred to stretch out but has her work cut out for her here with a few class-droppers to deal with. GATHER THE FACTS and BEACHFRONT BID both drop in to face maiden claimers for the first time for Chad Brown - past five years, MSW-to-maiden claiming drop, turf, route, Saratoga: 7 for 16, 44%, $2.79 ROI. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:55 GP 1st First of nine has the Nicks beginner IMEXQUISITE (#6, 5-1) in what seems like a soft spot; may be worth noting Ralph won one Sunday with a first-timing mdn.-claimer (not to mention one Saturday with a long-layoff runner); this Point of Entry filly probably hasn't shown much in the morning, but you wouldn't have to be much to prevail in this lineup. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:15 LRL 6th CAGED PIXIE (#10, 10-1) graduated gamely last month and seems well-spotted for first try against winners. Tracked five wide on the backstretch after breaking from the far outside post, made a four-wide bid on the turn, and wore down the leader in the last jump. Demand value on the tote as she drew outside again, and might face a stronger pace scenario here. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:48 LRL 7th BROKER'S REWARD (#4, 6-1) didn't run very well here 19 days ago, but gets a five-pound weight break with capable apprentice named to ride. Broke just a beat slow, tracked the pace from the outside and couldn't finish with them in the stretch. He has some back races that would make him competitive and might opt for more patient tactics here. Barbosa lands here instead of Soulmate. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:52 MTH 5th LOOK OUT LAMBO (#1, 10-1) failed another turf test in his latest and he was in against some sharp runners two and three back but he seems to be a decent fit with this group, especially in terms of race flow, as he's a closer and there's a good amount of speed in here; note trainer Greg Sacco's record with horses making this surface switch (24%, $3.93 ROI). -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:20 MTH 6th JOHN JAY (#5, 10-1) adds blinkers and stretches out from sprints, which should mean he shows more speed in this route, and the fact that this race is light on proven speed only adds to his appeal; has a shot at stealing this if he can get clear in the opening stages and back down the fractions. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:29 SAR 7th FREEDOM SPEAKS (#1, 10-1) debuted going short over the all-weather at Gulfstream and looked good winning that race with a solid figure; made her next start in a stakes race on dirt and had early trouble in that spot, before chasing the streaking Last Leaf (that was her first of three straight stakes wins) to no avail; threat at a price if she can transfer her form to turf. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:42 WO 8th EXECUTIVE GIANT (#5, 8-1) has worked fast for his first appearance since the fall, and could pop on the sharp drop to the lower maiden ranks. His trainer has excellent stats with six-month-plus comebackers from a small sample since the beginning of 2021. ULTIMATE ANSWER came from off a slow pace to lose by a neck in a similar spot in his latest. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:48 MTH 7th AEQUOR (#8, 12-1) exits three straight races which featured race flows that were kind to speed and he now faces a lineup that figures to produce a quick, contested pace; that's the recipe for improvement for a closer, and this gelding is at his best when able to take back off the pace and make one run. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:12 GP 5th We'll give THE MRS (#4, 6-1) as good a chance as any to emerge best from this oversubscribed lineup; the Stonehedge/Yates axis has proven itself over and over in these baby races, particularly when a win-early pedigree and a solid work slate is in evidence; tote probably has some clues for you. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:16 MTH 8th SHIMMERING LIGHT (#3, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:46 GP 6th Refreshed and regrouped into the Saffie fold, TOWSER (#6, 4-1) returns full of vim and vigor after losing her way last fall at Kee; homebred daughter of the great Into Mischief gets first Lasix and the outer box after having posted a couple of Boynton bullets when exercising her way back into peak shape; wouldn't be unreasonable at all to expect her to run absolutely huge. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
6:18 GP 7th The south branch of Dwyer Inc. has had minimal success this meet, but TOO MUCH ACTION (#4, 6-1) might be the answer to all those disappointments as he returns from a year-plus layoff with first Lasix and a nice-looking PmM work slate; gray colt hinted of his ability in his lone prior; doesn't seem to face an overly demanding task upon returning here. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
8:40 WBS (Harness) 6th WHAT A RUSH (#7, 10-1) has improving form, picks up the leading driver James MacDonald and he will likely get a setup for his late kick tonight; top call. – Garnet Barnsdale | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
8:30 DMR 6th Despite a next-to-last finish last out, HORN OF PLENTY (#8, 5-1) gets the call based on sharp Midwest form and apparently strong works since raced. 'PLENTY did not have a published work over the Del Mar track prior to his first start here, but he posted two sharp works since being claimed by Mike Maker. Tab for a return to form, dropping from $20k claiming to $16k. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets