DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026
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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.
12:20 GP 1st NICE TRY RILEY (#5, 5-1) is feeling great. He has yet to miss the exacta going this flat mile distance. Class jump is a good sign and it sure looks like this gelding loves his new barn. Versatile style is a plus and the price might entice. – Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race
12:30 SAR 1st ANTIETAM (#5, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get Past Performances for this race
1:00 WO 2nd BOLD RELOAD (#5, 6-1) is reacquiring blinkers off two straight fading fifths to begin his campaign and could get back on the beam in his third start back. The addition of Longshot Leo might be a plus. – Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race
2:03 WO 4th BOUNCE BACK (#4, 8-1) has worked quickly on turf and the Tapeta for leading trainer Casse. Her dam was a grass winner who produced G3-winning turf miler winner Pounce. – Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race
2:26 MTH 4th NO DENYING (#2, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Michael Hammersly). | Get Past Performances for this race
2:33 GP 5th JALAPENO (#9, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race
2:36 WO 5th ASHLEE B (#3, 10-1) went three-wide on both turns while rallying from left field for second in a recent turf experiment going a mile around two turns on the inner course. She has some speed to chase with the rail in the closer-friendly lane 1. – Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race
3:05 CNL 6th NEXT LEVEL (#13, 4-1) will have to draw into this field, but the gelding would be a dangerous presence if he gets in for McMahon. He ran a massive race at Fair Grounds in March but did not run again until June, when he reappeared for Camejo at Presque Isle and then went back to Desormeaux for a peculiar claiming try at Colonial last month. McMahon snatched him up that day, when he suffered a bad trip but still rallied for fourth with a 73 Beyer. He could be capable of much more. – Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race
3:46 WO 7th G T FIVE HUNDRED (#5, 6-1) is cross-entered in the G2 King Edward on the grass, but I believe the versatile 6yo will end up in this G3 on the Tapeta, a surface over which he's 6 for 9, which included a local stakes win. -Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race
3:53 SAR 7th BITE AND STRIKE (#2, 6-1) recovered from a slow start to post an impressive win when sprinting for the first time on turf off the Rice claim in May. He ran an even better race last time when handy from the start, before once again powering away from the field to make it 2 for 2 for this trainer. This will be tougher, but he is going good now. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
5:16 GP 10th MEGACLES (#7, 8-1) has some speed to help his trip. His most recent was solid and he could improve second time on this sod. Class jump helps the price. This guy draws fine and could find the front end where anything can happen. – Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race
5:34 DMR 2nd A trio of second-time starters top this turf mile for 2yo maidens. The call is WHISKEY BRIDGE (#3, 4-1), sibling to two-turn graded stakes-placed Robusta. 'BRIDGE' ran okay first out in a dirt sprint; he basically split the field. Turf is an uncertainty, but two turns should be up his alley. – Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race
5:44 SAR 10th EPIC LADY LUCK's (#2, 12-1) lone win to date came on the all-weather, though she has run very well in all three starts on this surface, including that last one when blocked with run until it was too late. The 79 Beyer she earned for that effort does not leave her with much to find against this field, and that was seven months ago. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
6:52 SAR 12th OSIRIS LAW (#4, 8-1) gained some late ground from last in the debut when facing open maiden claimers over synthetic. He hips up switching to turf for the second start, and he is bred for this as a half to three turf winners, including Big Screen (stakes win and Grade 3-placed on the surface, 99 Beyer top). – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
7:40 CBY 4th BELLS OF LIAISON (#5, 6-1) is by a 9% debut sire (all sire stats are for 2YO's only). Her dam went 73-12-18-10 and earned $286K (won 2YO debut). All 4 sibs beat winners (41K, 22K, 37K, and 20K). Works are solid. – Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race
8:10 CBY 5th SOUP THERE IT IS (#8, 8-1) did little in her first two starts, yet Americano stays put. This horse was denied a clean trip in her most recent. Added distance is what we like best along with 378 distance Tomlinson. Maybe blinkers will help also. Not that often that we get a good price for this barn and don't forget that this horse cost $210K. – Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race
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