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

12:25 LRL 1st It's a bit concerning that WINNERS LAUGH (#9, 6-1) added front wraps, was eased, and now drops back into a claimer for seasonal debut, but perhaps a return to the lawn will prop him up to better form. Ran well twice on Saratoga sod over the summer, including a third-place try against second-level state breds two back. -Dan Illman

12:50 GP 1st DREAM BELIEVER (#10, 10-1) was no factor in his debut here Sept. 16 but there are a few caveats. Not only was it his debut, he was asked to do so routing AND on the synthetic course vs. more expensive. With that under his belt he gets a drop, the addition of blinkers, shortens to a sprint and moves to dirt and maybe all that can get him headed the right way. -Michael Hammersly

1:00 KEE 1st LEVEE WAS DRY (#7, 12-1) is a brother to $1.3 million earning dirt horse Silver Prospector and offers other pedigree hints that he's not really bred like a turf horse. Thus, one wonders if the turf debut was more than anything a lead-in to this dirt start. -Marcus Hersh

1:15 WO 1st DIXIE GIANT (#2, 10-1) is taking a noteworthy drop from starter/optional-claiming company to this bottom $7.5K seller and could get back on the competitive track. Civaci takes over and the meet's second-leading rider is 6 for 15 at the meet for Doyle. -Ron Gierkink

2:12 BAQ 4th SOUZAK (#10, 6-1) kept solid form through a busy campaign as a 2yo in France and closed the season out with three straight wins; had no chance in the stateside debut when bumped back to last early in a race that was dominated on the lead, then ran on well in that Grade 3 when last seen while also trying to come from last in a race that wasn't coming back for him; like him sprinting in the return for an excellent layoff trainer. -Mike Beer

2:21 WO 3rd HANK OLLIE (#1, 6-1) won back-to-back main turf routes in September and could keep his rolling going in this NW3 tilt if it remains on the main course. The son of Congrats has worked well leading up to this engagement and leading rider Kimura inherits the mount from the injured Walcott. -Ron Gierkink

2:44 BAQ 5th ALLAMERICANBEAUTY (#3, 5-1) has concentrated mostly on turf, and has run some nice races on that surface while winning both non-stakes starts; think she has some talent =, and she also has a pedigree that is slanted toward routing on dirt. -Mike Beer

3:18 GP 6th HARD TO FATHOM (#1, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Michael Hammersly).

3:40 KEE 6th VIVA LA RED (#4, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh).

4:02 LRL 8th BETCHA BY GOLLY (#4, 30-1) won going turf to dirt here during the summer of 2022, and repeats the move after a couple of subpar grass tries. Ran well going two turns at Timonium three back, however, as she pressed the 9-1 pacesetter (finished last), set a three-ply pace from in between on the backstretch, made the lead and rail, then stayed for second behind the favorite. -Dan Illman

4:22 BAQ 8th PROVOCATEUR (#4, 8-1) showed the ability to rate and run in his two stakes wins as a 3yo for Pletcher, and that tractability could be key in this Bold Ruler, which is not short on early speed; earned a new top figure in his first start for Mott off the layoff, then got involved in a race that fell apart late here last month; willing to overlook that first start over a sloppy track last time. -Mike Beer

4:44 KEE 8th PRIDE OF THE NILE (#2, 8-1) did some good on dirt earlier in the year but at heart is a turf horse - 4-3-0-0 on grass, the loss coming with a tough trip in her debut. Would rather see Del Mar form than SA when it comes to SoCal turf horses trying KEE, and POTN has that. -Marcus Hersh

5:48 KEE 10th This is the second B Walsh-trained first-timer on top in a turf route this card, and the confidence level in LAURISTON (#9, 8-1) is higher than with the other horse. Irish-bred has gotten in a loonnng string of TP drills (I've seen none of them) for debut, capping off the pattern with a brisk half-mile gate work. Walsh has two debut winners this year with 2yos in turf route MSWs. -Marcus Hersh

9:31 RP 4th AIN'T THAT A KICK (#3, 20-1) has reason to move forward in his second start since December. JOHNNY APPLESEED has proven a strong fit at this level and seems like one who will make good use of the bit of added distance he picks up in this spot. -Mary Rampellini

10:55 RP 7th MENDI'S GIRL (#6, 6-1) has fired competitive races in each of her starts at the meet and could be sitting on a peak effort in her third start since June. -Mary Rampellini