DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, December 15, 2023

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.

12:10 GP 1st Trying SWAGGISH (#6, 6-1) as a bit of a pricier alternative than logical choice COURAGEOUS COPPER in the opener over a course that typically seems to favor speed when wet. Mid-west invader beat a pair of next out winners two back at Indiana, appeared to get over the synthetic track very nicely when blowing out for local bow last weekend. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

1:12 TAM 2nd SEVENTY SEVENTYCAT (#7, 20-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race

1:30 OP 1st PROFESSIONAL GRADE (#7, 6-1) is appealing as a January foal who has run well on dirt and turf. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:46 AQU 3rd NOVA RAGS (#3, 4-1) had an excuse off the layoff last month when getting away awkwardly from the gate, and then winding up in some traffic in the upper stretch; Grade 1-placed sprinter settled for second on four of five starts upon returning from a layoff last November, though he ran well in all of those races and dominated a field similar to this one when getting the right trip three starts back. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

2:03 WO 3rd ROYAL HUDSON (#5, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Get PPs for this race

2:48 LRL 6th SUNNY SUNSHINE (#7, 8-1) was stuck on the rail in both starts to date yet ran well in both. She didn't break sharp in either. Perhaps that is why the blinkers go ON today? This barn is 43% with first time blinkers and 21% with their maiden claimers. Regular rider tags along and is 32% for this barn locally. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

3:03 WO 5th PERFECT FOREST (#3, 8-1) is continuing his slide down the value ladder off another double-digit loss and could be a speed threat with the addition of blinkers and speed rider Vives. Some of Tiller's juveniles have improved with racing experience this year. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

3:22 OP 5th COROMANDEL (#12, 12-1) gets back to the statebred ranks with the meet now on at Oaklawn and like that she represented herself quite well against open foes earlier this year. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

3:40 AQU 7th BONNE CHANCE (#2, 15-1) had an excuse last time when losing position at the start to wind up last in a slow-paced stake behind several of these rivals last time; also faced stakes rivals in her prior two starts; which were both contested over wet tracks; in a tough race for the level and she looked good winning on debut and might simply be dirtied up; taking a shot at a price. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

3:43 LRL 8th TAUBER (#8, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race

4:02 GP 9th EUPHIMA (#7, 15-1) may offer some value and prove upset threat if able to rate off what figures to be a very honest pace scenario while making just her third start stateside and first for present connections. Second best behind Simply Stated who was in the midst of a four race win streak that included stakes victory at Penn Nat. when defeating this lass in her U.S. bow. Recent works say she might be ready for top performance yet. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

4:03 WO 7th THREE SONNY SIDEUP (#7, 10-1) had a wide trip after getting herded in at the break when fourth behind two next-out winners in his improved last race. He's moving back out to a distance that he can handle when he's on his game while shedding some weight with the hot bug Aebly getting the call. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

4:08 AQU 8th LONGLIVE THE QUEEN (#4, 8-1) has yet to run over dirt after three starts but she is bred for it and she looked good winning her career debut as a 2yo over the all-weather last December; did not run well in either start on turf earlier this year before going back to the sidelines; in the right kind of spot starting back from the layoff with a trainer change. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

4:28 LRC 3rd MEESH (#4, 6-1) didn't do much at this level at DMR last time out Nov. 18 but that came on turf and while he ran well on turf in his prior start that might not necessarily be his game. He's back to dirt with no drop and the fact Hernandez takes the call bodes well. -Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race

5:14 OP 9th WHELEN SPRINGS (#7, 5-1) is moving back to the mile and a sixteenth distance of his biggest win, the Grade 3 Phillip Iselin at Monmouth Park. He's now back at his home track and looking like the very early favorite for the $200,000 Arkansas Breeders Championship on May 4. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

5:28 LRC 5th KING ZOG (#8, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Michael Hammersly). | Get PPs for this race

7:56 RP 5th SWINGIN' OKIE (#1, 6-1) broke 9th of 12 in her debut but won nonetheless and did so at 17-1. Then she tried winners for the first time all while trying two turns for the first time. All she did was win again but this time as the big chalk. She caught the mud on the cut back last out and ran evenly. She has a recent work and goes for a barn that is 18% going sprint to route. There is good pace in this race and we think this gal can sit just off it and trip out well. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

9:25 RP 8th ANNIE'S SONG (#4, 15-1) was washed off the green two back yet won nicely as the big chalk. She ran a Beyer top only three back and it was her first start locally. She lands in a very good barn even if only 5% with their stakes runners. We think this filly is a horse for course before anyone knows it. We love this confident placement. Class jump helps the price while tactical speed helps the trip. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race