DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, February 19, 2021
12:25 LRL 1st GOODLUCKCHUCK (#4, 6-1) has won three of his last four on dirt and looked good stretching out around multiple turns for the first time when wiring them at Charles Town. Forged to the front along the inside, took pressure from 9 to 1 shot Itgot Grandma, put that one away on the third bend, then rebuffed the stretch challenge from odds-on favorite V.I.P. Ticket. Doesn't need the lead to win and is proven over the course. Note he was listed as a vet scratch here on February 7. Marquez lands here instead of Team Effort. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:39 GP 2nd AWESOME BEACH (#3, 7-2) jumped up with far and away a career best showing when getting Lasix for first time in 3yo bow, continues to work forwardly for return. May stand some catching if able to secure the early lead again. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:48 LRL 4th FIVE CARD DRAW (#7, 5-1) pushed very hot fractions along the inside and was the only part of the pace still standing at the end of recent 6 1/2-furlong affair (Big Boots and Ticker Tape Parade came from sixth and last, respectively, after the first call). Trainer John Robb is 13 for the last 47 (28%, $2.57 ROI) with older low-level claimers in dirt sprints. Think he can get close to the pace while in the clear. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:21 TAM 7th ELUSIVE RYDER (#9, 8-1) seemed to be making a threatening move in that last one but he got caught in tight while down inside a rival as they headed into the turn and she checked, losing any chance; she closed with interest to get the show behind ANTALYA in her prior try and she can surprise today if she gets a clean trip and an honest pace to chase. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:25 AQU 5th LEFT LEANING LUCY (#7, 9-2) may have done more racing that it appears when wiring two-life rivals two starts back, as she was pressed on the lead for a long way before finally shaking free and winning clear; lost all chance when getting put in tight after the start of that last one and plummeting to the back of the field; has speed from the outside and is a threat to rebound with a better trip. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:51 TAM 8th HACHACHA (#3, 8-1) may have needed a race off the layoff, and though he faded there after stalking the leaders he stands to benefit from that try; he makes his second start with Lasix and he drops in half for trainer Kathleen O'Connell, who sports a positive ROI with horses making their second starts off a layoff. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:55 AQU 6th GUN HILL GIRL (#7, 6-1) only earned a Beyer of 53 en route to winner her dirt debut last month but the figure does not tell the story of that race, as she was bumped and shut off to the back of that field early, before moving wide and carrying a long run around the outside to take over and then draw clear; has more speed than she was able to show last time based in her career debut and might be tough right back for a trainer who makes all the right moves. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:03 SA 2nd Veteran MADAME BARBARIAN (#2, 10-1) faces tougher in this starter allowance than the claiming sprinters she defeated last out, but the honest 8yo can handle the hike. Her win last out was the 13th of a 76-start career that began five years ago in Florida. The late-runner won 3 of 6 sprints since arriving in California, and gets a seven-pound apprentice allowance. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:12 GP 7th PEARLESCENT (#8, 8-1) an improving sort who won despite losing considerable ground last time. Figures to offer some value on the class hike, might be able to spring the upset with another forward move. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:21 TAM 9th SACRAMENTO Q (#8, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:25 AQU 7th MAGNETRON (#8, 5-1) improved first time for Atras two back while unable to overcome a speed-favoring track, then returned from the layoff last time to dominate weaker with a big new top figure; steps up to face tougher but is competitive if able to reproduce that last one for a trainer who tends to keep them going the right way - Atras, winner last out, dirt: 27 for his last 82, 33%, $2.40 ROI. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:44 GP 8th SHACKLETTE (#8, 10-1) getting plenty of class relief off the bench and a series of non-threatening efforts vs. much better. Eligible to wake back up with this company. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:16 GP 9th SONG RIVER (#5, 9-2) chased wire to wire winner Angelcents gate to wire after an unlucky start last time. Deserves another chance wheeling right back with same kind. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets