DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Monday, July 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.

1:05 BEL 1st: MAIL ORDER’s (#1, 3-1) two best races came at this 6f trip, which she seems to prefer over shorter, and one of those was run over the BEL course. Off Lasix in last start of 2022 form cycle, back on now, FWIW. Also like the blinkers off move from Mott coming back from the layoff. Lighting up the work tab for return. Can lead from rail or come around to press Sister Annie if that horse is intent on getting to the front. – Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race

3:10 BEL 5th: SHELLY (#4, 4-1) the fourth foal to race out of Testa Rossi, a G3 middle-distance turf winner trained after her importation from France by Chad Brown, who also trains Shelly, the first Testa Rossi foal he’s had in his barn. The mare’s best horse so far, Grape Nuts Warrior, won his career debut going one mile on turf in a NY-bred maiden-special - this race without the sex restriction. The MTH work pattern got a little spotty - will live with it. Wonder if the bullet drills over the Payson main track hint she’s stay in if this comes off turf. – Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race

4:00 LRC 1st: MOR TEQUILA (#2, 7-2) looked super blasting maidens at SA May 20, an effort that hints the light has gone on for him. He was risked for a tag in his 3 career starts but it’s encouraging he is not again risked for a tag here. – Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race

5:20 BEL 9th: SOCIAL SIDEKICK (#15-1) wasn’t terrible but mainly just went evenly in his two turf races, one last fall against NY-bred MSWs and in an open $50K claimer at GP. Get the sense there’s something more to him than those races denote, in part because his work pattern for this return race and class drop is quite encouraging. – Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race

7:00 LRC 7th: ROCK N ROLL SONG (#5, 8-1) has done plenty of good work on the short course here and her solid current form may be enough to have her carry the day. She has speed and versatility. – Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race