DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, March 22, 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.

12:19 TAM 1st ROUGH AND ROWDY (#6, 5-1) broke his maiden in an off-the-turf race last time out but he ran well in both of his two grass tries to date, to start his career; stone closer needs pace but there does seem to be enough speed in this field to set him up. -Kenny Peck

12:25 LRL 1st CLUBMAN (#2, 10-1) tracked a lonely leader from a loose pocket, might have moved just a bit early to grab the lead on the turn, cruised into the long stretch with a clear advantage, then was kicked down inside the final sixteenth. Eighteen-time winner drew well for this assignment, and can work out a pace-tracking, ground-saving trip. -Dan Illman

12:49 TAM 2nd QUEEN AIKO (#4, 20-1) likes to be close-up from the start but she showed in her maiden score three back that she can sit off the pace and make one run; that versatility should come in handy against this group, which features mostly stretch-out sprinters who will probably be forwardly placed from the break. -Kenny Peck

12:56 LRL 2nd EVENT PARTY (#5, 15-1) had no shot returning from 399-day layoff when the rider lost her iron, then was outrun early in a race where the pace held up at Penn National last Friday. Saved ground on the second turn, then never factored along the rail. He won third off the layoff in 2022, and might be racing himself back into shape for barn that went 4 for the last 14 (29%, $2.30 ROI) removing blinkers. -Dan Illman

1:50 AQU 2nd MISCHIEF MOTION (#6, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).

2:06 OP 2nd KID SHELLEEN (#4, 7-2) was third against steeper last out, in his first race since December. -Mary Rampellini

2:10 GP 3rd MAKIZAN (#3, 9-2) tried a mile for the first time last month and came up just a bit short as tepid favorite, gets another chance with same kind here. -Mike Welsch

2:29 LRL 5th DIAMOND HEIST (#3, 6-1) broke outward at Penn National, tracked three wide, advanced from that path on the turn, then finished evenly behind odds-on Sheriff Ronnie, who returned to win his third straight in a quarter starter at Parx by 7 1/4 lengths with an 81 Beyer. Figures close to the pace here. -Dan Illman

2:51 TAM 6th MR. SWAGGER (#5, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck).

3:10 GP 5th SPECTACULAR FORCE (#9, 12-1) expected to improve off that first effort when hung wide much of the way against MSW opposition on Tapeta. Kin to two time grass winner Boston Tea Party who returns on Lasix for first time with Saez in the saddle. Might be worth a look at square price for this tag as should MY HAPPY HOLIDAY. -Mike Welsch

3:22 TAM 7th EMBER (#6, 9-2) goes back to the level of the Lynn Rarick claim two back, and he's an upgrade candidate after racing against the race flow in each of his last two starts, closing some in a race lacking speed two back (note the "S" symbol in DRF pp's) and racing close up in a closer-friendly race last time, marked by the bold "C"; should be running late. -Kenny Peck

4:00 AQU 6th VEGAS WEEKEND (#8, 9-2) had an excuse last time when bumped into a stumble at the start to wind up last vs. a tougher field; thought she ran well in the slop two back when electing to rate early, before proving to be no match for favored Halo City; might finally be n the right spot as she moves outside and drops in class. -Mike Beer

4:50 OP 7th GOLD LUCK (#5, 5-1) returns to the conditioned claiming ranks after facing starter foes. -Mary Rampellini

5:02 AQU 8th AUNT YOLA (#8, 8-1) faced a few of these same rivals on debut last month, where she got away last and was forced to make a long run before winding up clear in fourth;well-bred filly can do a lot better with that experience behind her for De Paz, who has good numbers with maidens after a start. -Mike Beer

6:36 SA 6th PROFESSORS' PRIDE (#5, 4-1) could make the lead in this small-field N1X route. Based on her most-recent dirt route (runner-up at Del Mar last fall) she could be long gone. 'PRIDE is stretching out from a fast-pace sprint, she can wire the field. -Brad Free