DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, December 13, 2024

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.

11:40 AQU 1st POLITICAL SPIN (#4, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).

12:39 AQU 3rd MIDNIGHT TROUBLE (#3, 6-1) was racing out of this barn earlier in the year when competitive in the claiming ranks, including back-to-back wins over this track and trip, the second of those with a 90 Beyer; ran an underrated race off the re-claim last time when rated back and wide. before finishing a game second to front-running chalk FLOKI'S FLIGHT; has that rival to deal with again. – Mike Beer

1:52 GP 4th MONET NEVER (#6, 6-1) intriguing off the layoff. Gets plenty of class relief, adds blinkers and Irad hops aboard. Beat a pretty good one on graduation day a ways back at the Spa, City Fever, who recently became a stakes winner and Beyered in triple digits in his most recent try. – Mike Welsch

3:02 GP 6th WITH KINDNESS (#7, 6-1) a beaten favorite in both previous tries, hopefully can avoid the hat trick, should be able to control this one on the front end from outset stretching to a mile while exiting a key race that produced next out MSW winner Just a Philly. – Mike Welsch

3:06 AQU 8th UNCLE GEORGE (#2, 3-1) was racing competitively with tougher horses earlier this year when switched to dirt; finally got a couple of wins when taken to Finger Lakes off the claim, and he ran well in his return to Aqueduct last time when caught wide contesting the pace; threat right back in current form. – Mike Beer

4:06 GP 8th LILY BIRD (#11, 6-1) drops once again, returns to Tapeta, adds blinkers. Looks ready to graduate if able to leave running from tough outside post. – Mike Welsch

4:30 LRC 3rd RESEMBLANCE (#5, 6-1) drops and returns to dirt, which may be a crucial combination. He's handled routing, albeit on turf, but note two solid races here in the summer so he handles this footing. – Michael Hammersly

5:40 OP 10th AHEADOFTHEGAME (#10, 8-1) must overcome the wide post, but he's a fresh horse with speed and his quickness could help him secure position into the first turn. – Mary Rempellini

6:30 LRC 7th SUPER ENTICING (#3, 4-1) was no factor at DMR last time out Nov. 17 but that came routing, on turf, vs. tougher. She drops and gets back to dirt here and that can surely help. Remember, her only prior local try was a smashing maiden win so you know this place suits. – Michael Hammersly