DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, July 2, 2021

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.

2:12 PIM 4th CARK (#6, 9-2) returns to the circuit after a useful effort in the faster division of “two-life” claimers at Gulfstream last month. Lost early position after being caught in tight in between horses during the opening furlong, he dropped inside to save ground from midpack on the backstretch. Altered course sharply to the outside in the stretch, he flattened out just a bit late. He’ll try to repeat the “third off the layoff” angle that resulted in his lone victory and should get some pace to attack here. Perez lands here instead of Stringfella. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:34 BEL 6th LA VICTORIA (#8, 7-2) cost $800K so you know there are some expectations here (by one of the game’s top sires, out of a G1 SW mare). Her dirt debut at AQU Feb. 15 wasn’t bad as she pressed the issue before finishing 5th. She then gave way here May 31 but caught mud that day. She’s worked well since, including a couple times on turf, is bred for turf and is sent out by a trainer who does well with the move to this footing. -Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:03 LS 2nd SOLAR CITY (#3, 4-1) moves back to dirt and he’s been effective on the main track in the past. In fact, he rarely fails to bring home a check. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:08 BEL 7th LIAM’S FIRE (#4, 8-1) looked like a new horse here June 10 when blasting $20K N3L foes by 6 at a hefty 30-1. Hernandez was aboard that day and stays with him. It’s most encouraging that while they risked him for a tag last time (and in her 9 prior starts) they take no such risk here. The question is, do you believe that last big Beyer is a true bill or was that big effort an aberration? The feeling here leans toward the former. -Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:18 PIM 8th There isn’t a ton of turf and distance in PAPA LEW’s (#4, 12-1) pedigree as the sire only connects with 7% of first-grass performers and the dam has foaled one turf winner from four to try the surface. That being said, he looks to be racing back into shape for his third start off the layoff and can get close to the pace stretching out in distance. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:28 LRC 2nd LUCKY RYAN SEVEN (#5, 7-2) stretches to 1,100 yards (five furlongs) following a pair of sharp efforts at 1,000 yards: maiden win and allowance runner-up. The horse he finished second behind last out returned to win again. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:18 WO 4th WHITE WEDDING (#8, 10-1) was steadied on the turn while in tight along the rail and was blocked in mid-stretch during his frustrating comeback going five-eighths. The almost white 5yo could put it all together at a square price in this longer inner turf tilt if things go his way. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:30 MTH 4th ASHLEY’S HOPE (#5, 8-1) almost certainly wants more ground than this but she didn’t run all that badly two back in her last try at six panels, closing with interest after racing behind a slow early pace, and she also ran well in her latest when stuck behind tepid splits again, in a route; absolutely needs pace help, but if she gets it perhaps she can make the last run under new rider Ferrin Peterson. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:50 WO 5th NEVAEH’S VALENTINE (#5, 12-1) won by a nose over Guitar George first-time out last year for $40K, albeit on the Tapeta. The veteran is almost as good on the grass as he is on the main track, and can obviously fire big when fresh. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:00 MTH 5th SAND DUNE (#1, 5-1) faded after setting the pace in a route in his first start off the layoff but his best efforts have come in sprints, especially on the turf, and it is over this course where he registered his only win to date; meets a soft field today, even by claiming non-winners of two standards, and he may be able to steal this if he can get away alertly from the hedge. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:19 WO 6th HIATUS (#3, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

8:17 WO 8th LETTING LOOSE (#1, 15-1) has worked well for a low-percentage debut trainer, who recently sent out a longshot first-timer to finish second on the grass. His dam dropped three turf winners, and his second-year sire Ami’s Holiday won the Breeders’ Stakes. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets