DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, December 22, 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.

12:25 LRL 1st BACALL (#10, 5-1) is a DR Best Bet (Dan Illman). | Bet this race with DRF Bets

12:52 LRL 2nd IN GOOD TROUBLE (#1, 10-1) only beat two foes at Penn National, but one of them returned to capture a nickel beaten claimer there with a 68 Beyer. Set a pressured pace inside that rival, worked hard through a quick second quarter to get clear, came off the rail, then always found a bit more to fend off the rallying rail-skimming runner-up. Showed some versatility winning from just off the pace two back, and might opt for those tactics here for barn that went 4 for 12 (33%, $3.08 ROI) on dirt between 10/11 and 12/13. -Dan Illman | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:06 GP 5th SALS DREAM GIRL (#4, 5-1) has been running evenly of late in New York but what if she really prefers this sod in South Florida? When last seen on this green, way back in January, this filly ran a Beyer top of 78 when a close second at 4-1. Guess what? Those were better than these. We love the fact that she has a slew of works at Palm Meadows. Trainer stats are good across the board including 16% on the turf. -Scott Ehlers | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:49 LRL 6th GOODBYE KYLE (#3, 20-1) ships down from Finger Lakes after being wired by odds-on P. J's Rider. Saved ground in midpack, was held up briefly behind a dullard on the turn, then rallied evenly on the fence with a solid gallop-out. The third-finisher returned to hit the board in her next three with a 38 Beyer top. Late-kicker might get pace help for new barn that went 3 for the last 12 (25%, $3.98 ROI) following a trainer switch. -Dan Illman | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:36 GP 8th MO VANISHING (#3, 20-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:49 LRL 8th FORCE OF JUSTICE (#8, 8-1), the field's lone two-time winner, broke sharp at Charles Town to set a pressured pace outside of odds-on Hey Boots (finished last). Inherited the lead and the rail when that green rival checked entering the turn, then widened under a steady drive. Both wins came over bullrings, but he ran pretty well here two back when rallying for third behind the two pacesetters over a speed-friendly track. Figures close to the pace while outside and clear of traffic. Briceno lands here instead of Street Tough. -Dan Illman | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:53 TAM 7th TAP IT UP (#9, 6-1) ships down from New York and makes her local debut for her third start off the layoff, but what makes her most appealing is the fact that her running style perfectly fits the likely race flow, as there's speed to her inside and out and she will be looking to make the last run; should be in position to run them all down late if the race flow plays out as expected. -Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:06 GP 9th DREAM TRAP (#10, 12-1) tried this synth surface for the first time last out and ran a Beyer top of 60. Now she goes second out for this barn and second time here so her chances of improving are better than not. -Scott Ehlers | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:23 TAM 8th RAINBOW'S PRIDE (#1, 30-1) didn't run badly on the turf last time but he is proven on the main track and he's also shown he's versatile, as he has shown early zip in the past but he can also rate off the speeds and make a run in the lane; that's an important consideration, as there's a good amount of established speed to his outside, and he could fall into a perfect trip. -Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:53 TAM 9th BUSTIN UP (#10, 15-1) goes longer than usual here but if he can shake loose in the opening stages and back down the fractions on a loose lead he may be able to steal this; he was off the board in his seasonal debut but he was caught up in a race-long duel there and that cost him his best shot. -Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets