DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, August 5, 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.

12:40 MTH 1st NICKYS NOTION (#4, 6-1) is a new turf horse that has improved her Beyer in every grass start. She just missed in her most recent and did so at 12-1. She returns to maiden claimers and catches an average pace for the level and that should make for a good trip. Yes, she settles for less quite often but perhaps not as much as on the sod. – Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

2:04 MTH 4th WEST STAR (#4, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race

2:33 LAD 2nd ZYDECO MUSIC (#6, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race

3:28 MTH 7th AFY KID (#11, 8-1) draws outside but there ends the knocks. We love how he has at least six local works. This colt is bred to like the grass and his only turf start had him running evenly versus better down at GP. This barn is 19% off a long layoff. We like that they want the grass off said layoff. This horse pulled in his turf debut yet still ran OK and we bet we see a more relaxed runner today. – Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

3:38 WO 6th After breaking slowly, NIKITA'S GEM (#10, 6-1) saved ground on the turn before closing wide for second over an inside-preferred track at first asking in a shorter OS/$40K sprint. – Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

3:57 LAD 5th ONEFORVIVI (#3, 12-1) is a horse for course that has never missed the exacta on this sod in four starts. He was washed off the green in his return try but still ran OK on the dirt. We like how he puts races together. His turf breeding is fine and he draws fine all while getting good race flow. A new jockey is noted. – Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

4:53 LAD 7th HALF AGAIN (#3, 20-1) is bred to love the grass with his 340 turf Tomlinson. Yet he has tried the green only three times. His Beyer top on the turf is 70 but that race and all other turf tries have fallen off his current PPs. We say he is much better now. He has some speed on the stretch-out and could hold the rail at a huge price. New barn is 29% off the claim and they show a flat bet profit. He is cross entered in the next race which is a sprint but we actually think this is the easier spot. – Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

6:27 WO 11th BRIEF (#7, 6-1) began slowly before rallying for third among three next-out winners at first asking in a 7 1/2-furlong inner turf tilt around two turns. A one-turn sprint on the main course should be suitable for the 4yo daughter of elite sire Quality Road. – Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race