DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, March 27, 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.

12:45 TAM 1st PALACES DIAMOND (#3, 4-1) is out of a dam who was a minor stakes-winning sprinter and all four of her prior starters were winners, all sprinting; works suggest this filly has some run and the barn has solid stats with maiden claimers, albeit from a small sample (three-for-six overall). -Kenny Peck

1:00 GP 1st ALONZO MOSELY (#3, 10-1) had the outside gate in his TAM career debut & with nothing to his right he took a sharp turn at the start and lost several lengths before getting back onto the right part of the track. Traveled well from there while racing in tight quarters through most of the middle stages and to the furlong pole, finished with good energy when finally clear along the inside and quickly galloped out in front in a fine tune-up for this second start. – Marcus Hersh

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1:00 GP 1st COUNTERSTRIKE (#2, 5-2) turned in huge debut when out-game to wire by Fancy Liquor who subsequently returned to finish third in Jeff Ruby Stakes. Third place finisher Proven Strategies also flattered effort with an easy win over state bred maidens in his next start. Need only repeat that try to graduate. -Mike Welsch

1:48 TAM 3rd WEST BURKE (#4, 7-2) moves back out to a mile and a sixteenth and the last time she raced at the distance she just missed from a difficult post. She draws an improved post here and also returns to the maiden claiming ranks. -Mary Rampellini

2:05 GP 3rd YANKEE EMPIRE (#9, 6-1) ran well enough at two, especially off the bench in debut, to merit top billing returning as a first time gelding and better yet for a tag in 3yo bow. Well drawn outside. -Mike Welsch

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2:19 TAM 4th SNOW LION (#6, 9-2) rallied some in that last one, a deceptively good effort for the show considering the race flow, which favored speeds (note the bold “S” in his running line); there’s not a great deal of speed in this field, either, but if he can stay closer in the opening stages he may be able to run down the pacesetter(s). -Kenny Peck

2:19 TAM 4th DOPO LOVARO (#3, 5-1) is a consistent sort who owns some of the field’s best recent Beyer Figures. He also draws a better post than some of his chief rivals. -Mary Rampellini

2:50 TAM 5th LIL B QUICK (#1, 10-1) was behind several of these same runners as the 6/5 favorite in her latest but she had a pace excuse, as she was trying to rally in a race which favored the frontrunners thanks to a lack of speed in the field; she meets open claimers in her first start for trainer Tim Padilla but she didn’t run badly two back at this level and she does figure to get a better set up in terms of pace. -Kenny Peck

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3:26 OP 3rd TRUE CASTLE (#5, 2-1) has been facing steeper in each of her starts at the meet and note the winners of the two races she’s run in this season are returning in the featured eighth later on the card at Oaklawn. -Mary Rampellini

3:54 OP 4th MAYAN GHOST (#13, 8-1), who is on the also-eligible list, might be best served with a fast track as he put up his best dirt Beyer Figure over such footing two back at Oaklawn. He has an age edge on a number of these as he is 4. -Mary Rampellini

4:10 GP 7th TWO STEP SLEW (#4, 10-1) rushed, steadied along for a while during early going, did well to hold for third despite the trip when not badly beaten in yet another improved showing three weeks earlier. Obviously in career form now, might just spring the upset if rider can control his eagerness this time around. -Mike Welsch

4:23 OP 5th DOC CURLIN (#8, 5-2) is on top of his game right now as a winner of three of his last five starts. He changes circuits here and looks well-spotted. -Mary Rampellini

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5:12 GP 9th SPRAWL (#8, 15-1), the day’s best, has both a tactical and perhaps stamina edge over many of the other key contenders in this extremely tough N1X spot. Stretch running sort should get plenty of pace to run at, already proven at this distance and beyond and going turf to dirt for the occasion. -Mike Welsch

6:14 GP 11th OFF THE MEDS (#8, 20-1) was only beaten five lengths in a race at this level Feb. 9 that he might’ve “needed” for fitness following a layoff. Adds blinkers & has pedigree to improve at this longer distance. Slop third out, wide draw going two turns on turf in career debut, so there’s potentially hidden talent here. – Marcus Hersh

6:14 GP 11th MYSTIC LANCELOT (#7, 6-1) back to his preferred surface and appears to be training forwardly for first career start on grass vs. allowance types. Classes up nicely in finale. -Mike Welsch

6:19 OP 9th DIGITAL STAR (#1, 2-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mary Rampellini).

6:19 OP 9th ROYAL COMMISSION (#3, 8-1) a homebred by a $2.5K stallion, making him potentially very well-meant debuting for a $50K tag. Suggestive work pattern & barn much more capable with firsters than the limited recent stats suggest. – Marcus Hersh