DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, August 25, 2023
?q=100)
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.
1:10 SAR 1st VERACRUZIN (#8, 8-1) is by underrated turf influence Summer Front (12% with 2yo first-time starters, 13% with turf routers) and a half to three turf winners (one debut winner) from this unraced dam (second dam won on turf and was a Grade 2 winner routing on dirt); McPeek 19% with a $2.25 ROI with all juvenile starters at Saratoga over the past five years, and already has a 2yo debut winner at this meet at a price. -Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:18 GP 2nd RED DOG (#6, 7-2) faded in his debut in a race like this here last Nov. 12 and wasn't seen until July 28. However, when he returned that day, albeit for a tag, he ran on smartly for 3rd, beaten just a neck showing no ill effects from what sent him away for so long. He's back up in class here with a solid work since. Three of his 4 sibs are winners including Indigo Gin (7-3-1-0, $97K, 1 SW). -Michael Hammersly | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:52 SAR 4th TOMMY BEE (#6, 5-1) didn't have a real excuse when finishing behind a few of these same rivals last time, though he did move outside to start chasing just as the pace was picking up around the final turn, and he was slightly bothered as the eventual first place-finisher switched off the inside late; overachieved as a 3yo while winning twice and placing in four stakes, despite breaking his maiden for a tag; Irad returns for the third start off the layoff after getting claimed out of that last one. -Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:56 MTH 3rd GOLDEN EIB MICRPHN (#3, 5-1) has the tactical speed to get position from the start and she has fairly steady Beyers, and those figures are good enough to win this if she can run back to them; as a four-time winner with victories in June and early February she fits these conditions beautifully, as she meets non-winners of four or non-winners of two since February 25th. -Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:24 MTH 4th M B'S MUNNING (#8, 8-1) was well off the board in his first and only try on the main track but a slow start cost him immediate position, and the sloppy track provides a convenient excuse; flashed speed in her local debut last time, on the turf, and she should be a threat from the start for trainer Wayne Potts, who has won with his last two runners making their second starts following a long break. -Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:26 SAR 5th HELDISH (#10, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:06 WO 7th READY FOR A FIGHT (#2, 8-1) came along the inside from seventh to finish third behind two of his current rivals in the previous leg of the Woodbine Turf Sprint Series. The handsome bay could collar all the speed this time with King's Plate-winning rider Husbands retaining the mount. -Ron Gierkink | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:20 MTH 6th OSCAR GAZE (#6, 12-1) never had a chance to get into the game in her latest thanks to a rough start, and she also got away slowly in her prior start; this is her first start for a tag since the score against maiden claimers and she has lots of room to improve if she can just get away with the field. -Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:39 WO 8th BAIT N SWITCH (#5, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Bet this race with DRF Bets
6:18 SAR 10th RIVIERE (#4, 5-1) gets a pass for that last one when rained off; debut over this surface was solid while rushing after failing to break sharply and winding up contesting the pace four-wide around the turn; dangerous if stepping forward at all back on the grass. -Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets
9:29 DMR 8thFirst-time starter SATELLITE HEART (#3, 5-1) has trained like a filly ready to fire in this Cal-bred maiden-50 for 2yo fillies. She looked good Aug. 12 in a team work (viewed online); she broke off behind a workmate and collared that one at the wire. Although 2yo progeny of Accelerate are not known for winning first out (6 percent), 'HEART has trained like the exception. -Brad Free | Bet this race with DRF Bets