DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, July 8, 2022
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.
2:55 GP 1st The first of 7 Tapeta races on today’s 9 race card. SKYWALKING (#7, 6-1) get shaky nod in wide open start to the week as usual for these type of category over the surface. Tapeta. Missed a nose two back against a tad lesser, has the right running style to fit profile of this one. – Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
2:56 MTH 3rd AEQUOR (#4, 5-1) should trip out nicely as the inside three all have zip. We know that this gelding likes this dirt and is in good form. This barn is 29% on the dirt and 28% in sprints. – Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
3:34 BEL 6th U SHOULD BE DANCING (#9, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race
3:45 WO 6th JACKIE’S PRIDE (#3, 8-1) fought for the lead last time before ending up third behind a wide/charging Grandson when going 7 ½ furlongs around two turns on the inner turf. Cutting back to three-quarters on the main course could be ideal for the steady son of Old Forester. – Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
4:08 BEL 7th GOLQUIST (#9, 12-1) made a second turf start here less than three weeks ago going seven and gave way without ever getting set down in that race; hasn’t improved on turf despite possessing some pedigree for that surface; appeared something was amiss 20 days ago but he ran well winning his debut. – Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
4:40 BEL 8th PARNAC (#4, 5-1) went 2 for 2 in a pair of closely spaced races in Germany as a 2yo and looked good winning both of those races from a handy position; Clement doesn’t have strong numbers with foreign imports, but this filly appears to have some talent as she makes her 3yo debut with Lasix on. – Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
4:59 GP 5th SPAN OF CONTROL (#3, 8-1) puts blinkers back on, returns to the synthetic and might prove controlling speed at a square price. – Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
5:29 GP 6th VAL’S GAL (#2, 6-1) ran debut in heavy rain storm, chased runaway winner early on while hung wide before fading late in perhaps a much needed try. Might not look back herself if able to get the early jump on a field of lesser experienced foes. – Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
7:15 YR (Harness) 2nd ITSMYCHECK GB (#8, 12-1) hasn’t picked up a penny in his last five starts but prior to this dry spell he was a two-time winner facing $50K claimers; Jordan is back driving for Cory facing a blank field and is worth a look despite the eight hole. – Matt Rose | Get PPs for this race
7:25 MED (Harness) 4th TAKEN CONTROL (#2, 3-1) raced very well from the back last time in her first start for this barn. Four-year-old moves to an inside post and I’m expecting a new lifetime mark. – Derick Giwner | Get PPs for this race
7:40 WBS (Harness) 3rd FREE TO BE ME (#1, 5-2) was moving fastest at the wire last week but she ran out of racetrack. I’ll give her the nod here in a race with no standouts. – Garnet Barnsdale | Get PPs for this race