DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Monday, December 26, 2022
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.
1:10 GP 3rd NO DECAF (#1, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Welsch). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:43 GP 6th KHOZEIRESS (#4, 9-2) has shown promise in the a.m. and is a half to $145K earner Heiressindy by top debut sire Khozan. Might be good enough to spring the upset off bench. – Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:54 TUP 2nd CAUSE AND EFFECT (#4, 5-1) is feeling great. This gelding can pass runners and cuts back a half furlong. For the second race in a row, connections find a spot where this gelding can't be claimed. Plenty of zip to chase in this spot. – Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:52 TUP 4th GOLDEN RACHEL (#3, 6-1) is one of two Vann Belvoir first time starters and we think both have a shot. Edge to GOLDEN RACHEL who is a February bred hence an age advantage over many. Sire is 1 for 8 with 2YO first time starters. Her dam went 15-2-0-3 and earned 70K. Both sibs beat winners (50K and 49K). Works are well spaced. | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:02 SA 5th HAWKER (#2, 3-1) was unlucky last out, finishing fifth in a similar maiden turf mile. The well-bred 2-year-old was blocked while full of run the final quarter-mile, finished well along the inside, and ran much better than the slow time or margin of defeat. With a clean trip second time long, he can upset DANDY MAN SHINES. – Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:22 TUP 5th MACEDONIAN RULER (#5, 5-1) has done all of his winning on this sod. It has been a while since his last win and he is a 7YO so the class drop is fine with us. Plenty of pace in this race so this guy gets good race flow. If he brings his A game he won't need it but it can't hurt either. – Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:32 SA 6th If he runs like he works, turf-to-dirt surface-switcher HUDSON RIDGE (#4, 6-1) can upset stablemate COUNTRY GRAMMER in this G2 route. The recent comeback by HUDSON RIDGE was better than it looks. Making his first start since he was gelded, he lagged and finished willingly in a turf race that was only a prep. He trains exceptionally well over the main track, and is worth a gamble to upset comeback favorite COUNTRY GRAMMER. – Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
6:08 SA 9th BATYAH (#6, 5-1) switches to jockey John Velazquez following a tough-trip fifth in a similar N1X turf route. She missed by less than four lengths, she ran her final five-sixteenths in a creditable :29.13. – Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets