DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, December 10, 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.

12:30 GP 1st MOUNT SINAI (#3, 9-2) did not have the best of trips when disappointing after being heavily back for debut. In new hands, tries Tapeta, worth another look. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:19 AQU 2nd POLISHED GEM (#5, 6-1) faced a much stronger field off the claim when last seen at Saratoga, where she showed good early speed before tiring; prior dirt form was solid, including a pair of seven-furlong efforts in Kentucky prior to arriving on this circuit; drops to the lowest level yet while taking the blinkers right off. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:11 AQU 4th MERCHANTS OF COOL (#4, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:38 AQU 5th KOOSMAN took some money vs. a solid field in his Saratoga debut and had enough trouble in the running that day after taking a bump at the start to think that he might deserve another chance; didn't run as well last time while chasing wide; drops as a new gelding looking to rebound at a price. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:45 TAM 5th SHINBORO (#4, 8-1) is out of a dam who earned over $373K sprinting on the main track, including a victory in a small stakes race, and both of her starters were minor winners; this colt shows a couple of works that hint at speed and trainer Benny Feliciano has won with a couple of firsters from eight tries going back five years, both well bet (6/5 and 7/5). -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:15 TAM 6th CECI'SAPRILHOTTIE (#2, 8-1) may have been prepping for this turf route in that extended sprint try on the main track last time, which marked her first start off a short layoff. She was well off the board there but a slow start cost her position, and she was moving well late, indicating she has more run than the running line might indicate; drop in class adds to the appeal. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:21 OP 5th CATCH A WHIFF (#3, 5-1) worked a sharp half-mile from the gate in her final prep for her debut. She is from a mare who has been a 100 percent producer, with four winners from four foals to race. No pressure. DERONDA has racing experience on all of these, and will be first Lasix. She's also moving into the Arkansas-bred ranks after launching her career in Kentucky. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:36 AQU 7th SIBELIUS (#4, 10-1) ran well first time out while trying to overcome a slow start, then took a nice step forward to break his maiden second time out with a big 88 Beyer; three starts since have all come vs. stakes rivals, including that late one when winding up outside at Charles Town on a day when the rail seemed to be carrying horses; cuts back with upside while returning to his available condition. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:58 LRC 2nd The runaway $10k claiming-level win last out by DESTINY'S JOURNEY (#5, 9-2) was validated when third-place Chollima and fifth-place Operatic returned to win. 'JOURNEY gets an optimistic class hike to $16k claiming; his up-front running style matches the speed-friendly opening-week track profile around two turns. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:45 TAM 9th GLITTER BAY (#7, 15-1) faded only late after setting a pressured pace in an abbreviated sprint in her first start off the layoff, a race that should serve as a nice prep for this turf route; if her speed figures are the barometer this is her best game, and she does land in a fairly paceless field, making her a real threat to steal this if she can back down the fractions on a loose lead. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:58 LRC 6th Foiled by a fast pace racing six and one-half furlongs in his comeback last month, SAFE COMBINATION (#8, 4-1) faces less heat in this five-furlong maiden-20. He gets the call to win with a front-running/pace-pressing trip from the outside. The race he exits produced two next-out winners. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:28 LRC 7th First-time starter POLLO D'ORO (#2, 5-1) gets the nod over possible favorite KING APOLLO in this maiden-50 for 2yos. POLLO D'ORO appears to have trained well for his debut; he is a sibling to two debut winners (Sir Oliver, Meadow Blossom). Maidens from this stable typically race into condition rather than fire first out, but this field did not come up particularly strong. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:58 LRC 8th Debut winner PROFESSORS' PRIDE (#4, 5-1) can win this stake for Cal-bred 2yo fillies, though it is not easy to win a stakes race second time out stretching from a sprint to a route. But her debut was better than the one-length margin. She was confidently ridden throughout, and won with consummate ease. She is bred for two turns, sired by a Breeders' Cup Classic winner and produced by a mare who won at a mile and three-eighths. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

9:59 RP 5th TARUCA (#6, 5-1) seems to like his new barn and routing of late. He has some tactical speed and in a race that is pace-less that is even more important. This guy has been huge odds in his last four starts and that should carry over some today. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

11:23 RP 8th ENDLESS ROMANCE (#5, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

11:51 RP 9th VIENNA PRIZE (#12, 8-1) is by a 14% debut sire. His dam went 24-4-4-4 and earned 138K (won 2YO debut). Homebred is a March foal so he has an age advantage over many of these. Seven panels is tough for a debut but this guy draws best. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets