DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, February 26, 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.

12:13 TAM 1st TALE OF V K (#2, 8-1) caught the eye with a late run three back, and though she was off the board in her next start at this distance she was caught too close to the pace, as she's at her best when she can take back and make one run; she showed late interest last time but that was too short for her and she may be able to make the last run here given some pace help up front. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

12:29 GP 2nd MOONROCK (#1, 8-1) strictly a price and pace play to complete the early double. Walked out of gate, rushed up, raced wide, tired badly when favored for twice the tag last time. Drops to bottom, might get brave if bug girl can get her clear and to relax on the lead. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

12:43 TAM 2nd RANSOMS REWARD (#5, 5-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race

12:58 GP 3rd HOLY BERRIES (#1, 9-2) broke slow, showed some late run debuting in a race that produced trio of next out maiden winners. Been freshened, showsup for a tag, adds Lasix, might just fit with these. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

1:24 LRL 3rd SUSPIROS (#7, 6-1) an interesting invader from Charles Town after being beaten at odds-on nine days ago. Turned all the way back to a short sprint, he was hustled up to stalk a slow pace from the five path, made a four-wide bid on the turn and was up for second. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

1:45 TAM 4th CAUGHT UP IN YOU (#4, 5-1) will be looking to close but there is some speed in this field to her inside and outside and she may be the best closer in this race; off the board in her latest but she was against a speed-friendly race flow in that sprint (note the inverted "S" in DRF pp's), and if she can run to her prior Beyer she figures tough to stave off. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

1:50 AQU 3rd A LONGLONGTIMEAGO (#2, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race

2:10 OP 3rd PARLANCE (#7, 5-1) is a January foal who has speed and a post that might give Gaffalione options. She also owns the field's best career Beyer Speed Figure. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

2:18 AQU 4th BELLS ON HER TOES (#2, 6-1) bumped at the start and then worked hard chasing the pace over a wet track sprinting two back; stretched out to this distance last time and wound up on a contested pace, before tiring in the stretch; might prefer a fast track and there doesn't appear to be as much pace in this race. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

3:48 TAM 8th THE JOKES ON ME (#5, 5-1) really didn't break all that well in her first start off the layoff, which may be what's prompting the removal of blinkers today; she also made a little middle move in that race before she flattened out, and given a better trip today she may be good enough against this field. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

3:55 LRL 8th Hard-trying CLICK TO CONFIRM (#6, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Dan Illman). | Get PPs for this race

3:57 AQU 7th SECRET RULES (#12, 10-1) was first off the long layoff last time when taking a shot at Wudda U Think Now on the lead and ultimately proving to be no match - Wudda U Think Now returned to win the Hollie Hughes with paired-up 104 Beyers; has settled for second six times already but has more than held his own vs. some tough competition and don't think the mile is beyond his scope. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

5:01 AQU 9th SWINTON (#9, 5-1) ran well while flashing goof speed in his debut then stepped up in class and wired MSW rivals off the claim in his second start; has faced much tougher rivals in his last two and he faltered after contesting the pace going a mile when last seen; drops back down with speed. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

5:10 GP 11th HIERRO (#3, 9-2) broke slow, never got un-tracked whiel finishing far back dropping for this tag last time. In very dangerous hands off the claim, has some back races that would make him major player here especially if able to clear off to an easy lead as expected. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

5:43 GP 12th LA MAQUINA (#1, 5-1) turned in huge turf bow from tough post when out-gamed to wire by ultimate winner after stirring stretch duel. Better drawn on the rail, might not look back in finale if not too drained by that hard effort. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

5:49 OP 10th SLIM MAN (#13, 5-1) is on the also-eligible list but would be a chief player were he to draw into the body of the race. In his last start he ran second to Favorite Outlaw, who popped a Beyer Figure of 95. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

6:52 OP 12th NAVY SEAL (#10, 6-1) was second last out in a quick race and it's become a key one. The winner returned in his next start to account for an Arkansas-bred allowance at OP with a Beyer of 87 and the 10th-place finisher, Rubiginous, a $10K claimer at OP, with a Beyer of 63. This one is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Weast Hill ($499K). -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

8:40 WBS (Harness) 6th REAGAN BLUE CHIP (#6, 2-1) is in much easier tonight and Christoforou should be blasting with him looking to lead these all the way; top call. – Garnet Barnsdale | Get PPs for this race

10:00 MED (Harness) 11th MISTER HAT (#4, 15-1) should continue to offer plenty of value and has some decent form, having finished second against TrackMaster 80's or Less two back and then gaining spots and ground in the last quarter a week ago. – Greg Reinhart | Get PPs for this race