DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, February 25, 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 GP 2^nd VELOCISSIMA (#2, 15-1) showed little trying this kind for first time last month but switches to more experienced pilot, goes back on Lasix and coming off very fast Tapeta drill. Perhaps a morning glory but deserving of at least a look at a square price. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

1:38 GP 4^th HOTTER THAN JULY (#6, 8-1) strictly a pace play stepping up off the maiden win. Looks loose as can be on front end in a field lacking much in the way of any early speed. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

1:45 TAM 3^rdWhile it's true that the late run was enhanced by the race flow, HONDO GUSTO (#4, 20-1) was in fact rallying well through the back of the field in that last one, and he galloped out nicely past the wire; will be overlooked in the wagering once again, facing several of the same rivals he was behind in that race, but if he can take a step forward he might be able to pull off the upset. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

2:03 OP 3^rd MAX PLAYER (#8, 5-1) is the class of the field as a Grade 1 winner of $1.3 million. He's also won a Grade 2 race and a Grade 3 race and was third in the Belmont Stakes and Travers. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

2:15 TAM 4^th KOBLA MAS (#7, 2-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race

3:22 AQU 6^th AIR SHOW (#3, 12-1) got in too tough two starts back when trying to stretch out and was eased; gave way again last time when dropped back to this level, but he might have had an excuse there while getting caught contesting the pace in a race that went to closers; might be dirtied up and has races that will give him a chance here. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

3:35 OP 6^th FLYIN BESSIE (#2, 6-1) is a consistent sort who has represented herself well against some fellow quality fillies. She missed by a neck to Klassy Bridgette, who has since become a stakes winner at the meet. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

3:48 TAM 7^th INANNA'S QUEST (#6, 6-1) chased a controlled pace and did well to rally for the place behind the wire-to-wire winner two back, and though she was off the board last time she lost her best chance when she went extremely wide on the far turn after a seemingly menacing move; expecting a move forward today given more racing luck. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

4:32 LRL 9^th Want to give BROBRO CORMAN (#6, 10-1) one more chance adding Lasix and getting back around two turns. Bobbled at the start of local debut, tracked a fast pace from in between horses, dropped down into a loose pocket on the turn, was soon outpaced, and failed to threaten. Earned a solid Beyer after receiving an easy front-running trip at Penn National two back, and might try to make the front for barn that is 3 for the last 9 (33%, $2.22 ROI) with horses going second after a two- to four-month layoff. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

4:38 GP 10^th GOGO SHOES (#5, 12-1) stretches out around two turns for just the 3rd time in her career, ran bang up second at a mile and one sixteenth behind Group 1 Argentina winner Didia who was in the midst of a 5 race win streak when running this gal down last summer at Colonial Downs. Repeat of that kind of effort could be good enough in this total head scratcher. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

4:57 AQU 9^th DOWNTOWN CONNECTOR (#9, 6-1) was returning from a long layoff last time when winding up back off the pace and failing to challenge late; showed enough in his three starts last year to be given another chance as he comes right back at the same level. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

5:07 GP 11^th GIANT GAME (#4, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Welsch). | Get PPs for this race

7:05 GG 6^th BLOSSOMING (#6, 10-1) won a maiden race at a mile in her lone start on the synthetic track last May, closing from fifth to lead late. Since then, she has lost four races, including her comeback from a five-month layoff when she was last of six in a six-furlong turf race for $28,000 claimers at Santa Anita on Feb. 3. Blossoming is back at a mile in this race and starts for a lower claiming price in a race in which she should have a pace to follow. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race