DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, July 24, 2020
With most other North American sports being shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, we hope the sport of horse racing can entertain you during these trying times. 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.
1:14 LRL 2nd Been waiting for RUMSON RALLY (#6, 8-1) to get back to the turf following difficult trip back on October 12. In a race where they ran 1-2-3 around the track, this gelding ended up mid-pack and on the rail turning for home and never had clear sailing while in heavy traffic. Looked good winning maiden on grass during the spring of 2019 at Gulfstream when making a four-wide bid turning for home and overcoming a stretch bump to prevail. Washed off the grass in recent return and should benefit from a fitness standpoint from that race. Note that Lasix goes back on today. -Dan Illman
1:30 GP 4th In a virtual replay of the 8th race on July 3, VERDICT IS IN (#4, 9-2) will be looking to turn the tables on KEEPSAKEKITTEN simply by finding a length here, there, or maybe somewhere in the couch cushions; that was a noticeably improved try in his 2nd crack off the DiBona claim; hardly an implausible turnabout being proposed here. -Marty McGee
2:02 GP 5th PRIVATE MESSAGE (#4, 5-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Marty McGee).
2:47 LRL 5th Want to give MOLLY BOLTS (#8, 5-1) another chance as she stumbled leaving the gate over a wet track in her debut and was simply outpaced behind some quick fractions. With an alert break, she can get closer to the pace here. -Dan Illman
:: To stay up to date, follow DRF on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
3:18 WO 5th AM PREPARED (#8, 8-1) lagged behind the field after a tardy start before making up some ground for fifth when coming off the sidelines in a similar inner turf tilt. He got the job done in his only other inner turf excursion, and his trainer scored with a longshot here the other day. -Ron Gierkink
3:40 GP 8th Not expecting much price on R U LUCKY (#7, 2-1), given how he’s been favored in all four of his starts for Frank and Saffie, especially now that he comes cozily drawn in the open-air outer box from where Zayas can measure up the competition for as long as he wants; stalks ‘em into submission as a confident single on many a Rainbow ticket. -Marty McGee
4:04 SAR 6th ELLE M’A SOURI (#1, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).
4:24 WO 7th LOOKOUT LOUIE (#1, 7-2) had significant early trouble before ending up sixth at 3-1 in his latest, after a solid second at first asking in another $25K maiden sprint. The 4yo is a half-brother to a route winner, and could find his niche around two turns. -Ron Gierkink
:: Bet the races online with DRF Bets. New members get $250 bonus
4:40 SAR 7th MAGNOLIA’S LADY (#7, 9-2) ran better than it looks first time out when failing to break sharply and then getting into some traffic in the stretch, before shaking free and putting in a good finish without threat; didn’t run as well last time but thought she might have benefitted from a more aggressive ride in that spot after breaking toward the lead and the rail; one more chance. -Mike Beer
5:14 SAR 8th STRIKE THAT (#9, 3-1) lands in a race here where six of his eight rivals have earned a figure that eclipses his career top, but he has more upside than most and has looked good while finishing in the exacta in each of his first five starts; won easily two back while having no trouble going shorter and he actually gets some class relief for this after bumping into graded stakes-bound Volatile last time. -Mike Beer
5:30 MTH 2nd MASTERIO (#7, 5-1) was no threat in his local debut but he did rally mildly through the lane after racing well off a slow opening half mile; eligible to move way up given a better set up today. -Kenny Peck
5:30 DMR 2nd It might be folly to prefer BURN ME TWICE (#6, 9-2) over PAPA TURF, who finished in front of ‘TWICE the last six times they met. But there are reasons the order can flip. BURN ME TWICE won twice at Del Mar; his main rival is 0-for-14 here. ‘TWICE drew a comfortable post near the outside; his main rival is stuck on the rail. ‘TWICE figures for a pressing trip outside his pace rivals. Perhaps he can turn the tables. -Brad Free
:: Get the DRF GamePlan Playbook each day with a DRF+ Pro subscription. Purchase here.
6:00 DMR 3rd BORDER TOWN (#3, 3-1) was favored last week in a N2X turf mile that was cancelled; he might be favored in this N2X turf marathon though the extra distance poses a challenge. ‘TOWN was in steep in a Grade 3 last out; he finished sixth. In addition to the tougher company, he also expended much energy pre-race. He became agitated on his way to the paddock, kicking and acting silly, and ran accordingly. The race was a toss. -Brad Free
6:00 MTH 3rd In his first start of 2020, VICTORY CHIMES (#3, 6-1) had traffic trouble on the turn and was forced to steady while awaiting room, then checked again in the lane when lacking room down inside; he galloped out with interest and figures to improve here with a forward trip in his return to dirt, as the lack of speed in this field works to his advantage. -Kenny Peck
6:18 SAR 10th OPERATIVE (#5, 6-1) was bothered early and then a bit conservatively ridden when finishing behind AINTITFUNKYNOW on debut in a race featured no closing, then was rated after a better start second time out and failed to make an impact; faced maiden claimers for the first time on turf and gets a positive rider change. -Mike Beer
6:30 MTH 4th WILDCATTIN (#4, 8-1) lost all chance at the start in his first start of the year, breaking behind the field and then steadying, but he showed some late foot once the issue was decided, indicating she would have contended with an alert beginning; has speed but can also rate, and that should translate to a favorable trip. -Kenny Peck
:: Want to get your Past Performances for free? Click to learn more.