DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, March 24, 2023
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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.
12:25 LRL 1st THE THINKER (#3, 12-1) saved ground at the back, swung three wide, then grinded down the leaders to graduate in first start following 139 days away. The second-finisher returned to run third in a dime maiden claimer with a 46 Beyer at Charles Town. His lack of speed is a concern, but he might have more upside than the rest as his form looks dirtied up due to several turf losses last year. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race
1:27 TAM 3rd IRISH VICTORY (#10, 10-1) is out of a dam who won seven races, five of them on the grass, including her debut on the surface; her first foal to start, My Alimony, hasn't tried the turf but this filly has been training well and could be overlooked some in the wagering despite the dam's success on this surface. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
2:20 AQU 3rd GEORGIE'S LADIES (#6, 20-1) was first back from an extended layoff last time and appeared to need that race while rating wide early and weakening late after making a mild move on the turn, though she never looked to be hard-ridden at any point; class drop might be even bigger than it appears after facing a solid field for that level last time and she needs only slight improvement. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
2:24 LRL 5th Multiple stakes-placed TIMELY TRADITION (#2, 6-1) is a 14-time winner with back class, and seems well-entered after trying second-level optional claimers at Penn National. Tracked a moderate pace outside earlier in the month, came with a three-wide bid, but flattened out pretty badly in the stretch to finish behind the three favorites. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race
2:27 TAM 5th LOVE ME NOT (#1, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race
2:38 GP 5th LENDHERCREDIT (#4, 12-1) caught a pretty strong field while showing speed debuting on dirt for Pletcher barn. Switched hands since that outing now stretches out, moves to grass, bred for the surface being a half to graded SP Miss Chatelaine and Taralena. Might not look back if getting loose as expected. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
3:00 TAM 6th CEDAR BEACH (#4, 10-1) seemed to be trying to rate in that last one, as he was allowed to settle off the pace and make one run, but he moved prematurely and gave way late; should be expected to revert to his front-running ways in this race, which is light on speed, and if he can back down the fractions sufficiently perhaps he can take these gate-to-wire. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
3:21 LRL 7th OROCOVIX (#2, 8-1) faced some older horses in recent Charles Town allowance including seven-time winner Jungle Beast. Outrun through a quick opening quarter, he made up some late ground in the short stretch with a solid bid. Perhaps he didn't care for a wet track when beaten by a couple of these two starts back. Can kick on late for barn that went 11 for 37 (30%, $3.69 ROI) between 2/24 and 3/19. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race
3:25 AQU 5th HOW LUCKY (#3, 6-1) shipped in here to win a two-life claimer for this tag last March right off her maiden win and went forward from there before enduring a layoff; back to NY making her third start back while dropping back down in class. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
3:30 TAM 7th SALIT (#7, 6-1) was no threat to win that last one but she did show deceptive late interest in the back of the field, and the resulting Beyer was an improvement over the figure she posted in that maiden-breaking score in her prior try; could be set for her another move forward in her third start off the layoff, especially given a fast, pressured pace up front. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
3:38 GP 7th KNOX (#7, 6-1) comes up tagged for first time after chasing home much better in 2023 bow. Should catch legit pace to run at in this spot. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
4:18 OP 6th DARK TIMBER (#3, 7-2) has won two of his three starts at the meet and might benefit if he gets a fast track this time around. His lone loss this season came on a wet surface. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race
4:36 GP 9th REBELDE (#3, 20-1) back to level at which he's proven successful in the past and a closer in a field that should yield a legitimate pace. Shaky call in full and wide open lineup. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
4:50 OP 7th PISTOL (#3, 5-2) has fired competitive races in each of her starts at the meet and could be sitting on her best effort yet in this, her third race since November. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race
5:00 AQU 8th FLUTIE FLAKES (#6, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race
5:50 GG 4th The six-time winner GET'EM TIGER (#6, 4-1) has the best record in this field of six even though she has not won since November. In her last three starts, Get'em Tiger has finished third in optional claimers-starter allowance races and now runs in a conditional $12,500 claimer. Get'em Tiger breaks from the outside, and can stalk what should be a good pace. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race
6:22 GG 5th The first three finishers of a conditional $20,000 claimer at a mile on Feb. 25 meet again in this field with a different result possible. STOIC LUNA (#1, 9-2) was beaten a nose on Feb. 25 after a wide trip and can win for the first time since July with better racing luck. Irving Orozco takes the mount in place of Alexander Chavez, who is suspended for a riding infraction through March 31. Stoic Luna breaks from the rail. She was helped by a quick pace on Feb. 25 and may have the same conditions in this field. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race
6:52 GG 6thThere are several reasons UNION STREET CAT (#2, 10-1) can produce a minor upset in this $12,500 claimer for maidens. She overcame a troubled start to close with some interest to be fourth in her debut at 5 1-2 furlongs on March 4. This race is slightly longer, at six furlongs. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race