DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, February 18, 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.
12:50 AQU 1st SORPRESO (#7, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:08 GP 3rd All the speed signed on her could help IRONY (#2, 10-1) get along in time returning to perhaps her favorite surface and turning back in distance. Second best behind SP and allowance winner Vai Via here over the Tapeta during the fall. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:01 OP 2nd BETCHA (#2, 5-1) split a field of steeper rivals last out in her first start since June. She would seem poised to move forward. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:15 TAM 4th There's a fair amount of speed in this sprint, and that should work to the advantage of a horse like CAMINO DE SANTIAGO (#4, 12-1), who has a decent late kick; away since October but training steadily toward his return. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:20 AQU 4th MERAVIGLIOSO (#6, 8-1) made her debut on this track and prevailed in the slower division of $40k maiden claimers, after which her next three starts came either vs. stakes rivals or on turf; has been racing in good form out of town and has the tactical speed to land a trip here as she makes her return to this circuit at the right level. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:46 TAM 5th HEAVENS EXPRESS (#4, 8-1) gets Lasix for her first start of 2023, and she has been training well for her first start since December; she's a closer in need of pace but if she gets it she will be tough to stave off late. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:05 LRL 6th SHAKE EM LOOSE (#6, 10-1) likely gained needed fitness in return from 239-day layoff. Settled outside, advanced four wide to track on the backstretch, was placed on a hard chase to go after odds-on Zabracadabra, then bravely held second over American d'Oro (next-out allowance winner with 92 Beyer). Showed some quality here last year winning the Heft and Private Terms for barn that went 6 for 20 (30%, $4.20 ROI) between 2/3 and 2/12. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:08 GP 7th EYES OF CHAMPION (#10, 20-1) suffered through a nightmarish trip last time now getting a set of shades and new rider for the occasion. Could spring the upset with a cleaner run. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:45 GG 1st RIVER AVENUE (#5, 8-1) had an eventful debut when she finished eighth in a $5,000 claimer for maidens on Dec. 30. She unseated jockey Cristobal Herrera before the start and was loose for approximately 10 minutes before she was caught, approved to run and loaded in the gate. River Avenue broke slowly and trailed the field before closing with a five-wide move to pass a few rivals. She deserves another chance in this very modest field of $5,000 maiden claimers going a mile. Apprentice Adrian Escobedo takes the mount. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:08 GP 9th CARROTHERS (#1, 8-1) unfavorably drawn on rail over the Tapeta but getting another chance after encountering much trouble, holding own with much better last month on the turf. Back on what appears to be favorite surface today. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:15 GG 2nd DR. FLASH DANCER (#7, 6-1) needed seven races to beat maidens, finally doing so in an easy manner in a $5,000 claimer at five furlongs on Jan. 29. This is his debut against winners in a logical spot, a $6,250 claimer for non-winners of two. Dr. Flash Dancer is probably not quick enough to set the pace, but he can be prominent from an outside post. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:17 TAM 8th TREVESS (#2, 10-1) comes off a win at Gulfstream Park against lesser, which marked her first score on the turf, and that was a game try, where she rated just off the leader and pushed home late; she has an inside post and enough speed to stay close, which could be an edge given the relative lack of pace in this Lightning City Stakes. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:26 AQU 8th KAZ'S BEACH (#5, 15-1) is off a long layoff here but has so far fired fresh without fail in his career, including an upset win off a break in late 2021 with a new top figure; ran well off the bench in his first start last year when making an early move from off the pace and winding up between horses in the stretch, only to flatten out late, after which he managed only one additional start; threat at a price if he can come back with one of his good races. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:37 GP 10th NIC'S BRO (#8, 10-1) a question mark on grass but ran well enough two back after slow start with same kind on Tapeta to get a look at what figures to be honest price. Working well on main for this. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:44 GG 3rd PORT O' CALL (#1, 8-1) did not have a good trip when third in a race at this level on Jan. 28, a $4,000 claimer for non-winners of two. He raced between rivals in traffic in the stretch, losing by 1 1-2 lengths. With a clean trip, he would have been closer and possibly could have won. In this field of eight, Port o' Call is a threat from off the pace. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:48 TAM 9th WIN OR CELLAR (#6, 8-1) rallied mildly behind the runaway winner in that last sprint, which came up fast (the winner posted a 59 Beyer where the average winning figure is 50), and if she can sit off the pace and make one run here she should fall into a favorable trip; prior sprint came up much faster than par. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:10 OP 8th GREAT ESCAPE (#8, 5-1) is a Grade 3 winner coming off a runner-up finish to Keystone Field, who goes later on the card in the Razorback Handicap. The Beyer of 102 that Keystone Field earned for his win over GREAT ESCAPE is one of the top route numbers of the year. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
6:02 SA 6th HYDRO FROST (#5, 4-1) is quick enough to make the lead dropping from maiden-40 to rock-bottom maiden-20. He can be gone racing five and one-half furlongs. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
6:28 TUP 8th LOUDMOUTHSOUP (#4, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets