DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Monday, September 4, 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.

1:13 SAR 2nd TONED UP (#1, 10-1) was MTO off the claim last time when clearly second-best behind a front-running winner going longer; wins infrequently, but has held her own vs. some solid competition along the way and this is a better distance for her. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

1:35 MTH 3rd BYRD OF EDEN (#7, 6-1) was well off the board in her first try around two turns but that was a better effort than the running line might indicate, as she was away slowly before rushing up quickly mid-race, tiring only late; improvement likely given a clean start. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

2:33 MTH 5th JIMMY DAN (#8, 6-1) rallied nicely in the late stages of his most recent and he galloped out well past the wire; needs pace but given an honest tempo up front he has license to make the last run. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

2:40 WO 4th HUNGRY WOLF (#4, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Get PPs for this race

3:02 MTH 6th SMITHWICK'S SPICE (#5, 5-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race

3:26 SAR 6th AZ U CHASE ME (#3, 12-1) only went 10.4 in May prior to selling for $55k, but he looked quick in that breeze and he has a win-early pedigree as a half-brother to three debut winners from a dam who was second to an entry-mate in her debut, before winning her second start by ten at Saratoga with an 86 Beyer; sharpened up with a three-furlong bullet last week. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

3:44 WO 6th The Norseman Racing Stable runners HOT CARGO (#1, 6-1) and CARA CARA could run one-two in this NW3 OS/$40K sprint. They both possess speed, and HOT CARGO figures to lead the way along the inside with CARA CARA taking up the chase in a stalking position. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

3:59 MTH 8th OSCAR GAZE (#1, 15-1) is down in class for this and is worth a shot at a price, as there are several speed signed up to his outside and she will be looking to close; inside draw may not be ideal given her problems getting away from the gate but if she can just break with the field she could make an impact late. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

4:00 SAR 7th SALS DREAM GIRL (#5, 8-1) posted her lone turf win vs. maiden claimers, but did so in a nice performance over this inner turf course last summer, and she had gotten better since then; thought she ran deceptively well two back, and she did not get a particularly good trip when behind a couple of these same rivals in that last one. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

4:05 CBY 5th LYRICAL (#5, 4-1) just ran a Beyer top and did so while stuck on the rail. She draws better today and once again gets in light. She has some tactual speed and finds a race lacking in pace. Last chance for a good price? -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

5:23 WO 9th MIDWAY MISCHIEF (#5, 6-1) went four-wide on the first turn and three-wide on the far bend before finishing four lengths in arrears against tougher July 30. He's worked twice since and seems made-to-order for this $25K NW2 Tapeta route with Fukumoto aboard for the first time. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

6:01 LAD 3rd MALORIE'S BIG BOY (#4, 6-1) is by a 5% debut turf sire. His dam never tried the green. One of two sibs won on the grass and is a multiple grass winner of 66K (full sister). The layoff isn't very long and this guy worked a bullet on the 28th. Current form is solid and this guy brings some speed to the party. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

6:18 SAR 11th KID KREESA (#7, 12-1) has had his first two starts rained off the turf; was bumped at the start of his short debut, then ran an improved race going longer last time; bred for this. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

6:57 LAD 5th FRONT AND SILVER (#10, 5-1) is by a 33% debut sire (2YO's only) and a 1 for 1 debut turf sire. Her dam went 8-3-1-0 and earned 163K (1-0-0-0 on the turf). This is her first foal. Two turns on the turf in your debut is tough but this barn is very capable with their turf stock. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

7:40 DMR 7th DE JORIA (#1, 5-1) meets easier for her second start of the meet, dropping from an okay sixth in a starter allowance to $25k claiming N2L. She missed by less than four lengths last time while racing for the first time in more than three months. Easier foes, prep under her belt, logical choice. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race