DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, August 28, 2020
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.
12:00 GP 1stThe 6-plus weeks since SHAKEM (#9, 6-1) was claimed by Bobby DiBona might well have done the filly good; she's had four local works and gets a new set of blinkers since finishing ahead of just one opponent when coming unveiled by Saffie; now the slight class raise seems rather encouraging when switching to a turf route, where the barn tends to get its best results; wide-open field invites a filly such as this to the top. -Marty McGee
1:44 SAR 2nd HURRICANE BREEZE (#5, 7-2) finished behind a couple of these same rivals last time as the favorite, but he didn't get the greatest ride in the world that day while rating right from the start and giving away all early position in the race; raced on gamely late in that spot with little chance and has proven to be more tactical in the past. -Mike Beer
1:46 LRL 3rd BOLD QUEST (#2, 6-1) ran well in lone turf start over this circuit and returns to Laurel as a new gelding after setting fast splits at Keeneland. That was a pretty good maiden special weight in Kentucky as the runner-up returned to place at Ellis Park with an 80 Beyer while the fourth-place finisher came back to run a close third in a $75,000 maiden seller at Saratoga with a 76. Expect him to revert to late-running tactics. -Dan Illman
2:20 SAR 3rd PRINCIPAL DANCER (#6, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).
2:34 GP 6th Interested to see how ROYAL DUKE (#8, 3-1) does over a fast track and with benefit of a load-n-go strategy from his open-air outer box; been a long time since he's raced over a glib surface; gray dude exits a more demanding starter-hybrid race for this 'beaten' spot; can do. -Marty McGee
3:06 GP 7th Allowance with a bunch of main-track-only designates mixed in with the sprinters whose connections would prefer this 5-furlong race remains on the turf makes for a bit of cut-and-paste handicapping here. Siding with CABLE CHANNEL (#9, 3-1) off the much-needed start 3 Fridays ago; seems plenty of speed will remain in here, even after all the scratches, to facilitate a decent kick that didn't show itself last out partially because of the rustiness; Ralph with some live ones today. -Marty McGee
4:32 LRL 8th CANNON'S ROAR (#2, 4-1) worked out a lovely trip en route to beating open entry-level allowance horses last month. He sat just off 87 to 1 shot Bickley (eventually finished fourth), took over at will when produced and held gamely along the inside. That race has not come back strong at all, but he has come back firing as a 6-year-old, and figures to sit another tactical trip just off likely pacesetters Can He Shine and Dundalk. -Dan Illman
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4:40 SAR 7th MATTA (#3, 10-1) is facing some heavy-hitters in his NY debut but he has shown some talent while remaining lightly-raced and he has also proven to be very handy while bringing good speed out there with him; was defeated as the favorite when back to turf last time but he ran well that day while having no chance with a front-running winner (98 Beyer for Fiya in that spot) and leaving the rest of that field well behind. -Mike Beer
4:57 WO 8th GIVE ME AN EYE (#1, 10-1) rallied for third at first asking on the Tapeta, and a slow start before a troubled trip led to his downfall last time on the grass. He could rebound off the claim here with blinkers off and Hoyte taking over. -Ron Gierkink
5:07 LRL 9th PERFECT KIND (#9, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Dan Illman).
5:25 MTH 2nd THREATLEVELMIDNITE (#6, 4-1) is out of an unraced dam, and her lone sibling to start thus far raced only twice, but sire Dandy Man was a successful sprinter on the grass in Ireland and this filly debuts for a barn which excels with turf sprinters; note the win rate when jockey Nik Juarez and trainer Jonathan Thomas have teamed up at Monmouth since last year (70%). -Kenny Peck
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6:20 MTH 4th PLAN OF ATTACK (#3, 15-1) seemed to have some traffic trouble in that first start against winners two back, also his last try on the turf; well off the board last time, which merely proved that he's not a dirt horse, and he can be expected to rebound today with a clean trip, as he does fit well enough with these in terms of his turf Beyers. -Kenny Peck
8:09 DMR 7th MISS COSTA RICA (#1, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Brad Free).
8:39 DMR 8th PROUD EMMA (#4, 3-1) wheels back in 12 days and stretches to two turns after a promising runner-up sprint comeback. Three of her four career wins were two turns, she won a starter allowance over the Del Mar track in fall 2018. She can win if she catches likely pacesetter MESSAGE. -Brad Free
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