DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, February 23, 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.

12:20 TAM 1st JUICY JUSTICE (#4, 10-1) and CHILLING FACTOR (#3, 6-1) exit the same race and both should appreciate the class relief; the former was three lengths in front of the latter, and thus posted a better figure, but it may be wise to use both equally in multi-race exotics, especially considering they should get an honest pace up front after chasing a two-speed exacta in that last one. -Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets

12:39 GP 2nd LOOKINFORBARGAINS (#3, 6-1) showed improving when switching to turf at second asking, been away, but looked good prepping for this over Payson main. -Mike Welsch | Bet this race with DRF Bets

12:50 TAM 2nd BAHAMIAN NATIVE (#2, 8-1) sat off a quicker foe nicely in the opening stages of his latest before making a strong bid and drawing off nicely to earn his diploma in professional fashion; may get a similar trip here, and he could in fact be in position to take advantage of a race-long duel if MY NAME IS JEFF and ROCKET DRAGON, and perhaps others, were to engage in a duel from the start. -Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:39 GP 4th DAVID'S ROSE (#2, 9-2) returns to what appears her preferred surface after being over-matched last time on turf. Beat this same kind on 9/17. -Mike Welsch | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:20 AQU 3rd Don't think seven is a good distance for LOCKBOX (#3, 12-1) and his rider did not take the opportunity to secure the rail in that last one, after which she chased a solid pace to no avail; was also on the chase after a good pace for the level two back while staying determinedly for third; fits here at a price if she can pull a better trip. -Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:25 TAM 5th LUCKY LUCKY LUKE (#10, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:56 TAM 6th HOLLYWOOD CLOSEUP (#4, 6-1) was moving well enough through the lane in his most recent, when behind a gate-to-wire winner in Hello Sucker, and he had excuses in his prior pair, both sprints, against the race flow two back and against a speed bias in his prior try; his lack of positional speed does him no favors but if the fractions are quick enough he may be able to make the last run. -Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:02 LRL 6th TWEET AWAY ROBIN (#5, 5-1) bobbled at the start, then rushed up through a quick opening quarter to press the favored winner from the inside. Couldn't keep pace on the turn, then finished evenly inside to best four of these. Don't mind her getting back to seven furlongs, and she can work out a good pace-prompting trip. -Dan Illman | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:22 AQU 5th STOLEN BASE (#4, 10-1) has so far had his best results on turf, though he was an impressive debut winner on dirt way back when, and his only other start over fast dirt came in a Grade 2 as a juvenile; cuts back after catching wet tracks in each of his first two starts for this trainer. -Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:41 OP 5th A competitive group has come together for mile race that ends at the sixteenth pole. AIN'T THAT A KICK (#4, 20-1) is moving back to the distance of his maiden win. -Mary Rampellini | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:03 LRL 8th HOLY SYNCHRONICITY (#2, 15-1) didn't have an easy trip the last time he raced with Lasix. Broke well despite a tiny bobble, tracked five wide/seven path, eased in to track three wide entering the turn, swung widest and stayed on for fourth against three next-out winners (seventh-finisher won a third-level allowance at Penn National with a 93 Beyer). -Dan Illman | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:46 OP 7th ULTIMATE (#11, 10-1) is a class play as one who has seen steeper. As for the winner of the race he exits, he goes later on the card, searching for his fifth straight win. -Mary Rampellini | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:17 OP 8th B SUDD (#6, 6-1) might get the right kind of setup as there is a nice amount of speed breaking to his inside. -Mary Rampellini | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:14 GG 6th AMERICAN FARMER (#1, 8-1), a two-time stakes winner in 42 starts, can be a factor as a stalker from the inside post. He was a troubled fourth in a similar race on Jan. 7, and unlucky to finish second by a head to the red-hot Bletchley Park on Feb. 3. -Steve Andersen | Bet this race with DRF Bets