DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, February 27, 2021

1:05 AQU 1st IMPRSSTHEPROFESSOR (#2, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race

2:03 AQU 3rd ALWAYSMINING (#5, 8-1) is going to need his very best as he ships in to take on MR. BUFF, but he showed that he can still run last time when carrying all the ground from just off the pace and staying gamely late; has speed to go along with the back races to factor here, and he will be a price. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

2:10 TAM 5th BETTERTHENYOURX (#5, 15-1) showed speed and faded in two routes off the layoff but she turns back for this and sprinting does appear to be her best game, as she has two wins and a close-up third in three starts under these conditions; that makes those last two tries easy to ignore, and she does figure to be a nice price despite her past success sprinting on the grass. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

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2:23 GP 7th SUPERFECTO (#2, 10-1) taking big step up in class for this one but continues to train like a future stakes winner and barn on a roll after winning three of three on Wednesday. Should sit a stalking trip off speed of Untitled. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

3:03 AQU 5th FORGOTTEN MISSION (#5, 8-1) never really got involved when let go at a big price in his debut, where he got bumped at the start to wind up off the pace and then raced greenly in what appeared to be a useful run; half to the speedy sprinter Forgotten Hero can benefit from that experience at a price. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

3:10 TAM 7th SHALL RETURN (#7, 7-2) impressed in defeat in each of her last two losses, showing some late foot and galloping out well past the wire in her first start off the short layoff and then closing ground to finish only behind the two speeds in her latest; she doesn’t get a whole lot more help in terms of race flow here but she should be able to threaten late given any kind of honest fractions. Also using FIFTYSHADESOGRAYCE (#6, 8-1), who might be able to shake loose in the opening stages, and with little speed in this field that would be a legit edge. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

3:18 LRL 7th GIRLS LOVE ME (#5, 10-1) scored the only previous time he went route to sprint and the consistent gelding might get some pace to run at turning all the way back to 5 1/2 furlongs. Pushed reasonable splits set by The Poser 22 days ago, seemed on his way to a win turning into the stretch, but just couldn’t seal the deal with the pacesetter in the final furlong. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

3:43 TAM 8th BLOODY MARY MORNIN (#12, 10-1) makes her first start off the claim for trainer Keith Nations, and while she drew widest of the 12 in the body of the field her early zip should mean she’s well positioned from the start; she has been coming from off the pace but wouldn’t be surprised to see her on or near the lead today given the pace composition of this field. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

3:48 LRL 8th KEEPING THE PEACE (#1, 6-1) didn’t have the easiest of trips when stretched out to a mile against starter allowance company. He went to his nose at the start and was steadied repeatedly along the inside on the backstretch, He altered course back to the rail in midstretch and was one-paced late on his left lead. All five of his wins have come sprinting. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

3:48 OP 6th AASR (#4, 5-2) owns the field’s best collection of Beyer Speed Figures and is a well-bred sort as a son of Into Mischief and the multiple Grade 2-winning mare Amen Hallelujah. He cuts back from a mile and an eighth for a mile race that ends at the sixteenth pole, but his maiden win came in a one-turn mile at Churchill. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

4:15 TAM 9th DOWNTOWNER (#3, 4-1) and TUDOX EXPECTATIONS (#8, 8-1) are two runners I’ll be using extensively, and equally, as they may be able to turn the tables on CENTRAL PARK after the latter defeated them last time. Today’s extra distance helps, as should an improved race flow, as the pace should be quick and contested, and CENTRAL PARK could have trouble running back to those last two seven furlong figures if pressing a quick tempo going two turns. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

4:42 AQU 8th O SHEA CAN U SEE (#5, 8-1) returned at this level from the layoff after having the $12.5k claim voided last August and may have needed that race after getting a rail run from the back and appearing to flatten out late; needs pace but might get some in this big field and he has the races to factor strongly here. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

5:25 OP 9th May foals NAME REJECTED (#10, 3-1) and STILLETO BOY (#9, 7-2) exit the same quick maiden allowance and the Beyer Figure of 77 that each earned is the highest career number in this field. NAME REJECTED is appealing for the foundation of four starts that he has and he also will be second Lasix. STILLETO BOY is a half-brother to stakes winner Roise My Rosie ($342K). -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race