DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, December 16, 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.

12:45 TAM 2nd SUMMER GOLD (#12, 10-1) is the first starter out of the dam, who won eight races, seven of them sprints on the main track, and her sire was a stakes winner as a 2-year-old; she's been training steadily toward her debut and she meets a seemingly average field. -Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:58 OP 2nd WILDWOOD MINISTRY (#6, 8-1) is back at six furlongs and he's had the bulk of his success at the distance. -Mary Rampellini | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:03 WO 3rd BIRCH BARK (#8, 8-1) missed the break by about five lengths and never reached contention when debuting over a speed-favoring track in a maiden special. She's bred for speed and should be better for the experience in this $25K seller. -Ron Gierkink | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:05 GP 5th BELLY OF JELLY (#2, 4-1) a consistent sort from a Beyer standpoint and getting some class relief after being a bit over-matched vs. $35K opposition in last several tries. Might have found right spot to get back on winning track. -Mike Welsch | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:41 AQU 7th SHIPSATIONAL's (#3, 15-1) time might be up as he returns from another layoff in search of his first win since going back-to-back in stakes races as a 2yo; has spent much of the last two years going longer, and has run well at times, but prefer him sprinting; threat if ready off the bench. -Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:45 TAM 6th HIGH BROW (#2, 6-1) didn't break all that well in that last one but he was moving well late despite the fact that he was off the board, a solid try considering he was behind a controlled pace and the two speeds finished 1st and 2nd; he's never tried this distance but he has experience in longer and shorter races and his running style could be ideal for seven panels. -Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:52 LRL 6th VAIL OF HONOR (#4, 8-1) ran just fine two back at Mahoning Valley. He jumped in class in his most recent and was sent off as the chalk but was slow early. That race did come back key when 3 of 4 returned to win with figs of 67, 59, and 63. He drops into restricted foes which can only help. His lone local start came three back and this guy was 20 lengths back at the first call but didn't spit the bit and actually beat half the field home. He is deserving of another shot locally. -Scott Ehlers | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:03 WO 5th WAR IN CHARGE (#5, 6-1) battled three-wide for the lead until the far turn over an inside-biased track before tiring in the stretch when going from a maiden special to OS/$40K company in his latest. He's continuing his slide down the value ladder to $25K and could put it all together with the addition of blinkers and the leading bug Vives. -Ron Gierkink | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:04 GP 7th With so many question marks regarding some of the logical players in here and a lively pace scenario expected, will try to upset the apple cart with AUSTONIAN (#1, 5-1) who comes off easy maiden win against a much weaker bunch last month at Tampa and who'll have to raise his game to make it two straight for this tag. Does look like a late threat in a race that could tie up at the end. -Mike Welsch | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:10 AQU 8th BOOK OF WISDOM (#7, 6-1) is still a maiden after four starts but she has run well in all of her starts to date while continuing to bump into sharp, well-meant winners; concerned about the slightly longer distance of this race but she fits right in here and won't be the favorite this time. -Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:33 WO 6th ARCTIC BLONDE (#3, 15-1) is by the leading juvenile sire in Canada, Frac Daddy, who's had 10 2yo winners this year and has sired 14% first-out 2yo winners. She worked well in company last Saturday for a trainer who can have one ready. -Ron Gierkink | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:45 TAM 8th SILVER STYLE (#10, 12-1) was caught very wide on the turn and closed well enough in an effort that was better than it may look on paper; he's widest but he has the tactical speed to get position but also has a good late kick, and he figures to be rolling late. -Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:04 AQU 10th KHALI'S STORM (#10, 12-1) chased and tired in her off-turf debut at Saratoga, which was dominated by MTO entrant Soloshot on the lead; full-sister to six-time dirt sprint winner Khali Magic drops with blinkers on after regrouping. -Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:18 OP 7th PINELAND (#9, 4-1) has fired competitive races in both of his starts, earning competitive Beyer Speed Figures. The outside draw here might give Arrieta options. -Mary Rampellini | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:26 RP 3rd MYSTICAL CODE (#5, 8-1) ran well in her first two starts and beat over half the field home in both. After a medium layoff, she returned to finish 5th but did make a middle move into contention before faltering. It was still a Beyer top. She has worked twice since. Race flow is fine and we bet this filly improves second off the layoff. -Scott Ehlers | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:46 OP 8th STAYED IN FOR HALF (#8, 4-1) is back on dirt after a successful run on turf. He earned his highest Beyer Speed Figure on the main track. -Mary Rampellini | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:22 RP 5th SHAGGY EDGE (#8, 15-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:28 LRC 5th CATBERNAY (#4, 6-1) considers this home and the gelding's speed should have him in it from the start. He was no threat on the short course here Dec. 2 but that came vs. more expensive, was his first start in 5 months and he didn't break all that well. With that under his belt and today's drop he can do better. -Michael Hammersly | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:37 WO 10th JILL (#5, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:42 RP 10th LAKE BEE (#8, 6-1) didn't do much in his debut but has run quite well in every start since. He draws outside which we always like going one turn. He cuts back a full furlong and his best starts to date came going five furlongs which is only a half furlong from this. -Scott Ehlers | Bet this race with DRF Bets