DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, December 17, 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.

11:50 AQU 1^st SEAN THE HAMMER (#9, 8-1) dropped for his first start off the long layoff and first dirt start for Rudy back in April, and he ran very well in that spot while just getting nailed on the line; missed more time after that promising run and has not been able to make the lead in his first two starts back, including that last one when out running from the rail vs. a stronger field for the level; has to get the mile while back on short rest but might be tough to catch if he makes the lead. - Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

12:56 LRL 2^nd AMPERSAND (#4, 3-1) makes first start for owner-trainer combination that is 4 for the last 10 (40%) with newly-claimed horses shipping up from Kentucky. Form looks eerily similar to that of Oro de Moro Moro, who was taken for $20,000 by these connections at Keeneland, and promptly won here for $40,000 at 7-2 odds. He isn't the best gate horse in the world and can't afford a stutter-step start against this bunch. Broke poorly last time, then commenced a long, wide rally from the back. Swung five deep into the stretch and got up for second in the final furlong. If he does break cleanly, he can get close to the lead. - Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:09 GP 3^rd ADIOS YOUR HONOR (#1, 4-1) hard used contesting pace in more recent outing but perhaps able to get loose if away clean from rail returning with same kind here. - Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:25 LRL 3^rd ISLAND D'LITE (#2, 6-1) shrugged off a bump at the start to clear off and set easy fractions over a speed-friendly Charles Town track. We'll learn more about his overall quality as it's unlikely he'll get that same trip here, but he's earned competitive Beyers for barn that is 4 for the last 12 (33%, $4.58 ROI) with last-out maiden winners. - Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:02 TAM 2^nd DREAMS OF TOMORROW (#5, 9-2) might be able to beat likely heavy favorite Never Surprised with the right kind of trip, and he does figure to be well spotted behind a contentious pace, involving that runner; he ran a deceptively good race in defeat in his latest when stuck behind slow early fractions and he could be in line to take a big step forward here if he gets a much better set up, as expected. - Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:10 AQU 6^th SLIP MAHONEY (#6, 7-2) looked very green while getting outrun from the start in his sprint debut last month, and he continued to show signs of inexperience while racing on and gaining ground in the late stages of that race; bred to stretch out as a son of Arrogate out of a Spinster winner and he might really improve with that needed debut experience behind him. - Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:26 OP 3^rd LEADER OF MEN (#4, 5-2) has moved forward with each of his starts of late and could be sitting on a peak effort in the third race of his form cycle. He's also a well-bred sort. - Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:37 AQU 7^th CENTRAL SPEED (#8, 12-1) ran a lot better than it may appear in that debut while showing signs of inexperience early, before making a long, wide run to contention and only flattening out late; showed speed in the second start but wound up contesting it and couldn't hold on; has some improving to do but the potential is there if he can get the right trip this time. - Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:39 GP 6^th VIBURNUM (#7, 5-1) has a win over the course and distance, lures Irad, can be along with a little help up front. - Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:41 GP 8^th INFINITE SERIES (#8, 5-2) debuts off sharp looking series of works including gate run on 10/29 when holding own with runaway debut winners Lord Miles and Forces Sweetheart. - Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:57 LRC 2^nd BABY KRISTEN (#4, 3-1) has loads of speed and 3 of her 4 career wins came on this track, 2 on this 'bigger' layout. She set a hot pace on turf at SA vs. similar Oct. 30 before tiring to 4th. But she wasn't disgraced and returns to what is surely better footing. That Oct. 30 turf run also shows she's a solid fit at this level. - Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:11 GP 9^th PLEASECALLMEBACK (#1, 15-1) has run exclusively over hurdles this year but showed much promise on the flat earlier in career and distance should not be an issue. - Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:18 OP 7^th CARRIBEAN CAPER (#2, 5-2) returns to racing with fillies and mares for the Poinsettia, the first of the card's two stakes. She ran a credible fourth last out in the Thanksgiving Classic at FG and note the third-place finisher from the race returned in his next start to place in a stakes at Oaklawn. CARRIBEAN CAPER might get an ideal trip just off the speed. - Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:25 TAM 9^th FREE DATA (#2, 4-1) has shown the versatility to lead or rate but given the expected pace scenario she can be expected to rate off the leaders and try to run them all down in the lane; easy to like based on those recent grass figures. - Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:15 LRC 7^th KAELY'S CANDY (#2, 6-1) was gone 2 years but has come back sharp with 2 big wins on the 'shorter' course here. That shows there are no ill effects from whatever sent her away for so long and that she's doing well. And while those last 2 came on the 'shorter' course note her debut win here in June 2020 came on this 'bigger' course. Her speed can have her in it from the start. - Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:20 WBS (Harness) 2^nd STYLE FOR A MILE (#8, 4-1) is an interesting shipper moving into the hot Moreau barn and getting the top driver. She should get a good setup here with a one-dimensional front end type lined up on the inside and she gets the nod. – Garnet Barnsdale | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:39 LRC 10^th FINNEUS (#5, 5-1) just missed when 2nd in a race like this at DMR Dec. 3, stamping himself a proven commodity at this trip at this level. He has some tactical speed and versatility and his only prior start here saw him finish 2nd in a stakes a year ago so he's handled this place. - Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

9:23 RP 8^th BECKETT'S LUCKYDAY (#5, 3-1) returns to state-breds and has the best figs. A 25% stakes barn calls the shots and Hamilton knows this gelding well. Race flow is acceptable if all stay in. - Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

11:19 RP 12^th AMERICAN OUTLAW (#6, 15-1) goes for a high percentage barn and just ran great in his route debut. The blinkers come OFF and that is a 50% move for this barn. We spy a recent work and Alvarez keeps the mount. This colt is a February bred so he has an age advantage over many of these. - Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets