DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, November 17, 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.

12:10 AQU 1st FULIGNI (#5, 8-1) was improving up to that overdue maiden win early last year despite still lacking figure power; had excuses in her first two starts vs other winners, then jumped up to a new Beyer top when winning at Saratoga last August, after which she had trouble staying on the track; contested the pace in a closers race two back, then chased to no avail over a speed-favoring surface last time; might be better than she looks and will be a fair price. – Mike Beer

1:18 GP 3rd DIMANCHE GRAS (#8, 6-1) could benefit from a couple of previous two turn outings to launch career making third start of his form cycle while back to Tapeta for the occasion. Should offer some value in pretty wide open mix. – Mike Welsch

1:20 WO 2nd I'M A BOURBON GIRL (#10, 8-1) faded in the drive after surprisingly dueling for the lead last time for $25K. She's meeting much easier NW3 opponents in this $10K seller and should be dangerous coming from a stalking position. – Ron Gierkink

1:40 AQU 4th KAATERSKILL (#4, 8-1) is the lone MSW dropper and this drop might be even bigger than it looks as everyone else in the body of the race is moving up in class; was off the layoff making her turf debut last month where she faced a much tougher field and chased the favorite on a solid pace before tiring in the final furlong; appears to be well-spotted for an underrated trainer. – Mike Beer

2:20 WO 4th ECHO WITH LAUGHTER (#6, 4-1) has been competitive at this starter/optional-claiming class since the spring and should take some beating if he stays in the zone. – Ron Gierkink

3:16 GP 7th GRAND DANIEL (#6, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Welsch).

3:40 AQU 8th SHE'S ALL CHARM (#5, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).

5:18 WO 10th LITTLE TEDDY (#3, 6-1) placed in each of the first three legs of this OS series and was a close second two back in an OS stakes, all sprints. The daughter of Frac Daddy is bred to go long, top and bottom, and could track the speed drawn to her inside en route to another high placing. – Ron Gierkink

6:30 DMR 7th PACKS A WAHLOP (#5, 8-1) returns to allowance/optional claiming after he was overmatched and finished last in a G2 turf mile. Both starts this summer at DMR, second and third by a length in N3Xs, stamp him the proper choice in this N2X. 'WAHLOP runs for the $100k optional claim price and should get as cozy trip positioned right behind the speed. – Brad Free