DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, February 17, 2024

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.

12:17 TAM 1st OSCAR GAZE (#3, 4-1) and MISS EASY were in the same sprint back on December 29th and they both ran well, as both showed late interest after behind a controlled pace and a two-speed exacta; the former gets the call since she was off slowly there, and she has room to improve with a clean getaway, but the latter had some trouble of her own there, running into traffic and steadying. -Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets

12:47 TAM 2nd SHAMU (#8, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:20 AQU 3rd MOULY (#4, 9-2) certainly found the right kind of field when returned to dirt three back but she won that race easily after a perfect trip; came right back with another good effort in her next start while up in class, and that trip wasn't as comfortable; owns easy speed and can rebound after weakening over a sloppy track last time. -Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:03 OP 2nd GETOUTOFMYKITCHEN (#5, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mary Rampellini). | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:07 GP 7th A very familiar bunch, a good many of whom exit similar conditioned dash won by Demurely on 1/20. Trip likely to decide outcome in rematch with AMERICAN GAMBLE (#9, 10-1) perhaps worth a look at the price after checking a couple of times in traffic in this group's previous meeting. -Mike Welsch | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:48 TAM 8th MEAN TWEETS (#9, 9-2) and ERLAN emerge from the same race, a sprint that came up quick (the winner posted a 74 Beyer where the average winning figure for the class and distance is 63), and that winner, Callihoo, was able to control the pace from the start; MEAN TWEETS was behind ERLAN in that race but both were closing well through the lane, making it easy to use them both in multi-race exotics. -Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:20 TAM 9th Thought ESTILO MAGICO (#10, 6-1) was impressive in that win over claiming non-winners of two, as that seemed to be a day when speed-types held the edge and he rallied late after racing outside; meets better here but capable of winning this with a short step forward. -Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:26 AQU 9th GOLDEN ROCKET (#1, 15-1) might be best on grass but she sure ran well on this surface in December when defeating a weaker field over a mile, and then coming right back to run well again over this distance; did not appear to care for that wet track last time when fading after getting bumped at the start and then staying wide; willing to give her a chance at a price against this field, which is full of questions. -Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:36 GP 10th MERLIN (#1, 30-1) finally gets back to what looks like his preferred surface off a career best Beyer on turf. Held own in company with stakes mate Octane prepping for this. Worth a flyer from advantageous inside post at big balloons. -Mike Welsch | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:46 OP 7th VICKI ROSE (#5, 10-1) is back on dirt, where she has run well in the past, and also owns a competitive collection of Beyer Speed Figures. -Mary Rampellini | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:57 AQU 10th ICE ROAD (#9, 5-1) has been a bit difficult to get a read on since arriving in NY, though he has run some races along the way that will make him tough in here, including a near-miss the last time he was on a fast track, and that 89 Beyer effort going a mile at Saratoga; needs fast dirt third off the claim. -Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:14 GG 2nd COUNTING CARDS (#3, 9-2) was a troubled fifth in a productive conditional $6,250 claimer on Dec. 30 in which the first three finishers returned to win. Counting Cards was beaten 7 1-4 lengths, and missed second by 2 1-4 lengths after Cowboy Charlie pulled away to win easily. This conditional $4,000 claimer at six furlongs is the lowest class level for Counting Cards in his 28-race career. He is likely to be near the front in a race that seems to lack speedy types. -Steve Andersen | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:59 SA 6th PAT'S PADDOCK PICK (#7, 4-1) can score a minor upset, first off the claim by trainer Steve Knapp. The colt finished fourth last out in a similar N2L claiming sprint, but the effort was better than it looks. He broke from an inside post, dueled inside while under pressure, dropped back but maintained position through the lane, and actually galloped out with run after the wire. He moves to an outside box (7 of 8), retains the same top rider, and can deliver with an up-front trip racing on or near the lead. -Brad Free | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:44 GG 7th PASS THE BATON (#7, 9-2) chased a slow pace in a starter allowance at 1 1-16 miles on Jan. 27 and closed steadily to finish second by a half-length to No Secret, who is part of this field. No Secret was allowed a slow pace in that race, and may not have that scenario in this starter allowance at a mile, which drew a field of eight. -Steve Andersen | Bet this race with DRF Bets