DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, December 2, 2022
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.
12:32 LRL 2nd GREAT DAYS AHEAD (#3, 5-1) needs a Beyer boost, but did some good things graduating for $12,500 over a sloppy track. Bumped leaving the gate, he rushed up and was placed on a hard chase to go after the two pacesetters through a quick opening quarter. Angled three wide, made the front and was geared down through the final sixteenth. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
12:37 GP 2nd PERFECT PICTURE (#4, 10-1) ran well again same kind last time now shortens up to perhaps a bit more effective distance and looking loose on the lead once again. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
12:59 LRL 3rd Not sure THEA'S THEME (#6, 15-1) is at her best over the bullring, and she only gave an even performance when wired over a speed-friendly Charles Town surface last month. The third-finisher from that race returned to run third in a nickel "four-life" seller there with a 48 Beyer. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:35 GP 4th CLASSIC CAR WASH (#5, 9-2) a new gelding and did catch decent bunch in debut, a race from which a couple of also-rans graduated at next asking for mid to high tags. Held own with more experienced and talented mate On Thin Ice in recent drill. A half to $245K earner Trevess. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:55 LRL 5th LOVE NOTION (#5, 8-1) is a half-brother to stakes-winning dirt router Celtic Katie (84 Beyer top) by a prolific debut sire (18% with juvenile first-time starters). The dam was a stakes-winning dirt router (89 Beyer top), and is a half to Grade 2-placed dirt router Vee Vee Star, stakes-winning dirt router Sabovee (77 Beyer) and juvenile stakes-placed dirt router Of Eagles (88 Beyer). -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:24 LRL 6th HOT LOOKIN ROYAL (#2, 5-1) looked good returning to the main track. Raced midpack in between, made a smooth three-wide bid, and got away from that group while on the rail. Lightly-raced filly still has upside. Barn went 4 for 14 (29%, $4.74 ROI) on dirt between Oct. 13 and Nov. 27. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:14 AQU 7th SCOOTSCOOT (#6, 8-1) faced tougher in his first two starts and wasn't around at the end, though he flashed some early speed in those races; went to Parx on the drop last time and lost his chance at the start while being declared a non-starter; expecting him to come out running for a hot barn. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:23 WO 5th IVICTORY (#4, 12-1) broke slowly before mounting a mild wide bid for sixth over a rail-biased track when dropping to $7.5K a month ago. He could make some noise as a longshot in this $15K maiden route under the bug Amanda V, who won a race last weekend. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:24 TAM 7th BASSANIO (#3, 4-1) doesn't boast a lot of pedigree power, as the dam was winless in six starts and she produced only one minor winner from three prior starters, but trainer Arnaud Delacour has four wins with MSW turf firsters over the past year (25%), with a $4.41 ROI; working steadily toward his debut. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:52 WO 6th ERNIE'S MARTINI (#4, 12-1) worked decently from the gate Nov. 19 for a trainer who can have one ready. The son of 14% 2yo debut sire Sky Mesa is the second foal from a stakes-placed turf sprinter with earnings of $369K. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:12 AQU 9th DOUBLE SHOT (#5, 8-1) won twice for this tag earlier this year from off the pace; didn't appear to have a real excuse three back when defeated for half this price as the favorite, though he had to be taken out of his game that day to keep close to a rated pace; can sit back and make one run this time while landing in a race that appears to have plenty of pace signed on. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:50 WO 8th STORMY SOUL (#8, 8-1) was along for third last time behind a winner who came back to double up vs. $25K claimers with an 80 Beyer. He's back in another starter/optional claimer here with the capable Campos back in the saddle. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:00 DMR 8th IN VRONSKY STYLE (#9, 5-1) can win this wide-open Cal-bred allowance despite off-the-board finishes three previous DMR turf starts when he was a victim of circumstance (layoff, comeback, pace). The 5yo improved this fall, runner-up both recent Cal-bred N1X turf sprints at SA. He should be able to ration his speed and work out a trip from the outside post. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:15 GG 8th BOB'S VAI (#4, 9-2) is due for a clean trip. In four starts, the filly has had trouble at the start, raced wide, or raced in traffic. Her best finish was a third in her last start in a $25,000 claimer for maidens on Nov. 11 in which she stumbled at the start and recovered to lead before losing by a length. With a trouble-free race, Bob's Vai should be able to beat this sort of field. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
8:20 WBS (Harness) 5th KARMA SEELSTER (#5, 5-2) paced a :54 1/5 middle half last week which doomed her late but should have her nicely tightened up for a big mile in this third start back; top call. – Garnet Barnsdale | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
10:00 YR (Harness) 10th TERRITORY (#1, 5-1) hasn't won in a while but has gotten checks in all of his recent starts. Jordan Stratton is back driving for his brother and figures to be on or near the lead. – Matt Rose | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
11:23 RP 8th THAT'S SOMETHING (#1, 5-1) figures to make good use of the bit of added ground he picks up in this spot. Earlier in the meet, he won the richest Oklahoma-bred race on offer with his victory in the $175K Oklahoma Classics Cup. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
11:51 RP 9th CANDY'S A DANDY (#4, 5-1) gives up recency to these, but owns the field's best last-race Beyer Speed Figure. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets