DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, August 20, 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.
12:15 MTH 1st VICTOR'S DYNASTY (#2, 8-1) didn't have much chance to close in that paceless turf sprint at Delaware in his latest, and he was also against the race flow in his prior try, on the main track; can make the last run here given a better set up. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:28 GP 3rd No doubt this same kind of mdn.-$16k synth route run here four Saturdays ago is the barometer by which this race will be wagered; looking for improvement from a couple who showed speed before fading that day, starting with MY BROTHER MIKE (#5, 6-1), who stands to benefit after getting a race following the 10-week layoff; surely was too keen in his return and now can revert to more favorable stalking tactics in realizing a better result. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:03 MTH 5th EMPIRE G (#4, 6-1) was off the board in her latest but that was no easy trip, as she pressed the pace from the start before tiring in a race which set up well for the closers (note the inverted "C" in DRF pp's); perhaps capable of shaking loose in the early stages under new jockey Ramon Moya. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:03 GP 6th Rather uninspiring group of N2Lers with plenty of 1-for-too-many records clash at 7 furlongs here, with maybe MR MAC QUHAE (#6, 8-1) ready to come alive on the surface switch for the prodigal Moubarak; a winner on the turf on closing day of the championship meet, this 6-time runner-up probably needed his latest and stands to fare better moving back to one turn on the dirt. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:37 WO 6th HELLUVA HOLIDAY (#7, 12-1) blew away OS/$40K maidens second time out on the Tapeta while earning one of the highest Beyers in this field. The daughter of Firing Line doesn't possess much turf breeding, but she worked nicely the other day and could make the board at a square price. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:03 LRL 7th LIQUIDATOR (#3, 10-1) is a half-sister to stakes-placed dirt sprinter Secret Rules by precocious sire Divining Rod (9-45, 20% with juvenile debut runners). The dam was a multiple stakes-winning dirt sprinter that won her career debut at two, and she is a half-sister to Grade 2-winning dirt sprinter Umpateedle and juvenile stakes-placed dirt miler Missy's Advantage (won debut). Bred for speed on both sides of the pedigree. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:05 LAD 1st SUPER WISE (#2, 5-1) is in fine form and now goes second time on the local sod which is often a good thing. We like that Lozada keeps the call and he is riding in fine fashion. Why can't this gelding find the front end and laugh all the way to the bank? -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:22 MTH 10th KITTEN STREET (#9, 6-1) was behind three of these same rivals in their last meeting but he may have run the best race of them all, as he was pushing the pace from the start and that was a speed-filled race that set up very well for the closers (note inverted "C" in DRF pp's, indicating an extreme Closers' Edge); there's not all that much pace in this field and this gelding should be able to get clear in the early stages. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:36 LRL 8th FERMAT (#7, 12-1) is a bit of a reach, but he didn't have much chance last time out at Colonial in a slow-paced raced dominated by the early leaders. Kicked on pretty nicely in his last three starts over the circuit and can make some late noise at a price. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:42 WO 8th PHILIP MY DEAR (#7, 6-1) overcame an awkward start to close stoutly and break his maiden by daylight when debuting in a six-furlong maiden special on the main turf. The son of Silent Name has ample speed to chase in this longer sprint, which is a prep for the G1 Summer. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:15 WO 9th LESLIE CHOW (#3, 12-1) finished up the track after a wide journey in his local bow, but has since worked impressively for his new trainer Minshall and could get back on track with the addition of blinkers and Wilson. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:51 GP 11th Three-time winner DIGNIFIED (#8, 5-1) is in good form these days while getting to keep playing in these N2L ranks via the 3yo exemption, and she certainly fits when taking another crack at the level; steady rally under the ever-capable Perez is on order. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:12 CBY 3rd SLIME QUEEN (#5, 10-1) should love the class drop as she goes third off the layoff and second out for new barn. This mare is only a 5YO and is proven on the grass where she has hit the exacta in 10 of 17 starts. That makes perfect sense as she is bred to love two turns on the green (355 and 401 Tomlinsons). The glass is half full crowd will point out winless barn on the green and at the meet. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
8:12 CBY 5th ALICE JOSEPHINE (#2, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
8:20 WBS (Harness) 5th CONTROL HEAVEN (#7, 7-2) comes off a good third-place effort from the 10 hole and now he faces several Sires Stakes types racing between Gold events. I’ll call him to upset here. – Garnet Barnsdale | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
8:42 CBY 6th THICK HAZE (#9, 8-1) is the value at 8-1 on the morning line. We thought those turf tries 2 and 3 back were encouraging. This gelding is bred to like the turf and even more so two turns. Win rider returns in Fuentes and this gelding figures a great trip. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets