DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, April 22, 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.
1:20 AQU 1st DANCE WITH ME BABE (#3, 6-1) got some experience in that MSW debut late last year while outrun after having to steady at the start, before making a bit of a run along the rail; eligible to improve quickly as she starts back on the drop with Lasix on. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
1:52 AQU 2nd PIONEERING SPIRIT (#5, 8-1) dropped for his return from the long layoff, where he put in a strong finish too late from the back; didn't improve off the claim last time, though he was bumped between at the start to wind up last, after which he could not gain significant ground in a pace-dominated race; stretches back out and can easily improve enough to be tough in here. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
2:04 KEE 3rd COUTH (#6, 10-1) showed nothing last summer facing turf-route MSW foes at Saratoga. Fine - that's poor showing will boost his price, and this is a complete restart for the horse. First Lasix and tries a dirt sprint with a long work pattern capped by a fast one over the CD dirt. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race
2:29 TAM 5th EXACTING (#2, 6-1) has tried turfing only once, and though he was off the board in that race he didn't run badly at all, pressing a quick pace and weakening only late; meets a seemingly average field for the class level and looms the controlling speed in a race that's light on early zip. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
2:36 KEE 4th I'll guess they rip along at a strong clip up front and set this race for a closer. GREENER PASTURES's (#6, 12-1) is better on dirt than synthetic and might be just good enough to come along late at a square number. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race
3:10 GP 6th TACTICAL PAJAMAS (#3, 15-1) was in against a deep group on the turf last time and she now moves over to the synthetic strip, which she may well prefer; has high speed and sports some nice works in preparation for her return. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
3:33 TAM 7th WICKLOW GAL (#8, 20-1) was blanked in her first 11 career starts but only two were on the grass, and the efforts she turned in there suggest this may be her preferred surface; upgrade candidate after racing against the flow in both of those turf tries. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
3:43 GP 7th BOLDNESS (#8, 8-1) makes his third start since October and may be set for his best yet; makes his first start off the claim and has the speed to get position despite his outer post. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
4:00 AQU 6th VOLCKER RULES (#7, 12-1) debuted for this rag on dirt and made some late ground on the front-running winner after a green start, before continuing on past the wire; looking for prices in a wide-open race and this colt has some turf in his pedigree. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
4:06 TAM 8th EIGHT WEEKS LONG (#7, 12-1) was well behind the leaders but he made a sustained bid down the backstretch to reach contention before he gave way in the late stages; prior starts were on the turf, where he is 0-for-16, and he had race flow issues in his previous starts on the main track, at Finger Lakes. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
4:22 OP 7th FLYIN BESSIE (#11, 6-1) brings good racing experience to the table and earlier in the meet she was just edged by eventual stakes winner Klassy Bridgette, who runs later on the card in the Valley of the Vapors Stakes. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race
4:34 AQU 7th FIRE KING (#5, 15-1) made his first two career starts vs. better on turf last year and took money in both of those races; never improved on dirt despite getting the maiden victory on that surface shortly after joining this barn; will be a price and can improve back on turf while stretching out again, though he will have to. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
4:39 TAM 9th REBEL EMPIRE (#5, 15-1) checked out of a tight spot as the field entered the far turn in that turf debut last time, and he never threatened thereafter after racing down inside for much of the lane; deserves another shot, and he should offer some value despite the lighter price tag today. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
4:44 KEE 8th RISING EMPIRE (#3, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Get PPs for this race
4:49 GP 9th NATURE BOY (#7, 15-1) was caught up in a duel the last time he sprinted, and he was against the race flow in other tries; latest is easy to forgive, as he got away slowly, and his early speed is a big part of his game. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
5:23 TUP 4th THIRSTY TIGER (#4, 5-1) showed better front speed in his most recent and that is often the sign of an improving runner. This guy is often a good price and Zunino knows this gelding well. There isn't much pace in this race but the full furlong cut back might force a stalking trip. What would help the most is a good break something you can't say for this guy two and three back. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
5:48 KEE 10th Can't see how ANGASTON (#7, 10-1) is anywhere near as high as the listed odds. Was second to a well-meant horse who got the run of the race in the $100K Colonel Power. The horse has been through a lot and is lucky to be alive after being in a serious horse van accident, but really, he looked as good as anyone could have hoped coming back from a 20-month layoff in New Orleans. Been working right along since then and in early days showed he handles this course with strong performances in the Shakertown and Woodford facing tougher foes than these. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race
6:33 SA 6th Gate to wire for PRINCESS ADALEIGH (#5, 5-1)? The lightly raced front-runner is first-time turf in this N2X downhill sprint; she does have turf influence in her pedigree and could be loose on the lead. The N1X dirt sprint she won last out was validated when runner-up Kristi's Tiger returned to win by more than four lengths. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race
6:51 GG 5th ANNA'S MUSIC (#3, 6-1) has been knocking on the door of late and may be ready to break through. Her last 2 starts, easily her best, were her first 2 starts on this track so she's obviously comfortable with the ground. Her speed can have her in it from the bell. -Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race
6:57 TUP 7th MR LOVE MUFFIN (#5, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race
7:36 SA 8th Despite a seven-month layoff, M IS FOR MAGIC (#7, 4-1) gets the call in this starter allowance turf sprint. She won this condition last summer as a maiden, therefore retains "never won two races" eligibility. Proven on the SA turf with five runner-up finishes from eight tries, the comeback mare has run well fresh and employs a pressing style that should lead to a good trip chasing a distance-vulnerable likely pacesetter. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race