DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, September 15, 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.
1:15 WO 1st RAT PORTAGE (#4, 9-2) awaited room along the inside in the stretch last out before surging late to land his second race in a row on the Tapeta vs. NW2 stock with a 78 Beyer. He could keep his roll going in this NW3 turf sprint with Hoyte back in the saddle. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:47 WO 2nd HEEZESPEEDY (#5, 10-1) could be the speed of this paceless $15K maiden sprint, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him wire this field as he descends to a new low from $25K. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:20 GP 4th PRAISEWORTHY (#7, 5-1) was very good 2nd on this track vs. tougher straight maidens May 26, showing he likes the footing. After that came a dud in slop here June 17 when he obviously disliked the footing. He's been freshened since and returns with the most important drop in the game. -Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:32 PIM 5th RUNNING RIVER (#7, 8-1) pressed the 7-1 winner three wide at Colonial last month, went after that one in earnest on the turn, then tired pretty badly. That looked like a pretty good group as the runner-up returned to finish third in an open first-level allowance there with a 79 Beyer. This speedster cuts back to three-quarters and might not have a problem making the early lead. Barn has a couple of winners since 8/25. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:51 WO 4th STRIKE THE POSE (#8, 10-1) finished on the fringes in her last few starts and is dropping back down to the level at which she finished a wide third two back. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:43 BAQ 6th LA GIRVINA (#6, 9-2) took some money in the Saratoga debut but appeared to need that experience while failing to break sharply from the gate, and then not rushing in the early stages while saving ground; wound up coming very wide to the stretch and putting in a game run for second in a useful run; threat if able to build on that effort. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:17 BAQ 7th SHERIFF BIANCO (#4, 6-1) posted his most recent win back in April when MTO in a race rained off the grass, but he has continued to race in excellent form since then and exits one of the better efforts of his career when cutting a solid pace and just getting run down late over a distance that is beyond his best; cuts back facing another strong field for the level. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:49 BAQ 8th JUNIPERMARSHMALLOW (#9, 20-1) was placed in a tough spot first back from the layoff at Saratoga, where she wound up in a wide trip from the start and tired, with her rider just letting her finish on her own; has a big pedigree behind her and she flashed some real talent while winning her first two starts as a juvenile before missing time; has a chance to be pretty good and might be ready to do a lot better in the second start back. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:59 WO 8th ACADIA (#5, 20-1) is by the decent young sire Sharp Azteca. His dam has been a prolific producer, with three stakes winners to her credit and four turf winners, including Awesome Fire and Anne of Cleves. He's debuting with blinkers and Lasix and has some quick works on his tab. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:21 BAQ 9th SUN AND WIND (#4, 6-1) ran okay first time out when surging late to just fall short; has shown speed to no avail in both starts since while gradually stretching out in distance; has a turf pedigree and might be set to finally improve making the surface switch. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:00 MED 1st LADY TRIXMEISTER (#8, 8-1) was off the board and behind a couple of these same runners in her first try going long on turf but she was closing with some interest along the rail late in the slow-paced race; dangerous with another move forward in only her third start on the grass. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:28 MED 2nd BETTER CALL MAMA (#2, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
8:35 RP 2nd PRETTY IN PINK (#1, 5-1) has class appeal as one who has lined up against some notable rivals. She is looking for her first win on dirt. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
9:20 MED 6th NEVERTOOMUCHELVIS (#7, 8-1) didn't take much money in that debut but she ran a very good race despite finishing off the board, as she had traffic trouble on a couple of occasions yet was still showing interest through much of the race; will be a threat here if he gets a clean trip for trainer Dawn Skelton, who does her best work with turf horses. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
9:59 RP 5th SPIRIT OF SPOATIE (#2, 6-1) was third last out in a quick race. It marked his turf debut and the Beyer Speed Figure of 77 that he earned was both a career-best number and it ranks as the co-highest last-race turf Beyer in this spot. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
10:27 RP 6th GRACE THE LADY (#2, 12-1) is appealing on class as she has seen steeper. She also can be closer to the pace than she found herself in her most recent start. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets