DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, March 3, 2023

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.

12:55 LRL 2nd VINNY (#2, 15-1) was reclaimed by Carlos Mancilla after failing to rally over speed-friendly track in a race where they ran 1-2-3 all the way around. The runner-up from that race returned to win by 7 1/4 lengths in a nickel "beaten" with a 73 Beyer. The last time he raced for these connections, he shook loose around two turns to beat dime "beaten" claimers by 13 1/2 lengths. This distance might be a bit sharp as all three of his wins came in route races, but he has several back Beyers that would make him competitive at a solid price. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

1:08 GP 3rd MO RISSA (#4, 10-1) should improve off game showing debuting around two turns cutting back in distance, switching to Tapeta. Continues to work well off that effort. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

1:20 AQU 1st CONNECT THE BROCKS (#2, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race

1:30 TAM 3rd BOCA (#7, 8-1) was moving well through the late stages of that last race, which was her second start following a break; may be set for her best try yet today, which would make her very tough, as she has back turf figures that are plenty good enough to win this. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

1:50 AQU 2nd JOHN'S PROTEGE (#5, 5-1) ran well in each of his first two starts on dirt while coming away second-best both times; returned from a layoff in December to overpower a field with a slight new Beyer top, then was on relatively short rest in each of his next two starts; might be able to make the lead vs. this field as he adds blinkers off the claim. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

2:30 TAM 5th MAGICAL ADVENTURE (#5, 8-1) was caught on the first turn in his latest, and he had some early trouble that cost him position two back; prior Beyer gives him strong credibility, and he may be able to run them all down late given a clean trip and honest splits up front. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

2:51 LRL 6th THAT'S SOME KISS (#6, 4-1) bobbled slightly at the start, tracked the pace four wide, then made an early three-wide bid to the lead and the rail on the turn. Might have moved just a bit early, and tired in the stretch to finish second to favored Patty Cakes. Double class hike might be a bit steep, but she's in good form, and has the tactical speed to work out a nice trip from close to the pace. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

3:33 TAM 7th BOCA GUY (#8, 15-1) was against extreme speed-friendly race flows in each of his last two starts, and the race two back came up faster than par (winner posted a 76 Beyer, average winning figure is 60); lone turf win came over this course and he meets a seemingly typical field for the class level. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

3:47 OP 5th DANCIN N THEPULPIT (#4, 5-1) is a class play as one who has been lining up against steeper. She also has an age edge on some of these as she is 4, and she's making her third start since April. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

3:57 AQU 6th SICILIAN GRANDMA (#4, 6-1) ran better than it looks in her MSW debut over a sloppy track at Ellis Park, then shipped up to Saratoga to flat overpower maiden claimers in her second start; didn't run poorly in her next dirt start at Parx in a race that came back way too slow - runnerup Girl Trouble exiting that effort to win each of her next three starts sprinting with Beyers in the mid-70s, including a couple of stakes, and most recently was second in the Ruthless; might hace some pace to run at here after failing to get to front-running Curlins Choir last time. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

4:23 LRL 9th STEELE MONEY (#5, 6-1) repeats the "Lasix on" move that resulted in his lone victory last summer on turf. Bumped lightly leaving the gate in circuit debut, he stalked outside, was outpaced on the turn, swung widest in the stretch and passed some tired ones in the lane. Barn went 8 for the last 33 (24%, $2.12 ROI). -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

4:40 TAM 9th MONTANA JOYCE (#9, 5-1) may have finally found her best game in her latest, when she rallied nicely through the lane to get the place in a very good turf debut; clearly dangerous in this finale if she can run back to that effort, which was all the more impressive given the lack of speed in that field. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

5:54 OP 9th BARBER ROAD (#4, 4-1) is the class of the field as a Grade 1-placed runner who has earned nearly $700K. He shortens up to a mile and he was second at this distance in last year's Smarty Jones at Oaklawn. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

6:20 GG 5th DOS VICIOS (#3, 10-1) has improved in each of his three starts, and has every chance to spring a mild upset in this field, particularly if the pace is quick. Dos Vicios won an $8,000 claimer for maidens in his first start at a mile on Jan. 7, and closed well to finish second to PROSPECT OF RAIN in a $12,500 claimer at a mile on Feb. 7. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race

7:35 SA 9th This race was scheduled for turf, but will be run on the main track. ZIO JO (#4, 4-1) won a maiden-62.5k by only a nose last out; the margin is deceptive. It could have been more. The colt was difficult to handle (i.e., stay straight) in the stretch. And he also had an imperfect trip two back when he missed by a neck against starter allowance winners, including others in this field. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race

7:50 GG 8th A return to Northern California may boost CHARBONNEAU (#8, 6-1), who is winless in five starts. The colt has been soundly beaten in his last three races against much better competition in Southern California after finishing a respectable second at Los Al last July. Unraced since early January, Charbonneau has worked quickly at a half-mile twice in recent weeks and should get a favorable trip from an outside post. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race