DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, July 13, 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.

12:55 GP 1st QUEEN HONESTY (#8, 20-1) is by a 8% debut turf sire. Her dam was un-raced. Of 3 sibs to try the turf, 2 won and both beat winners (68K and 93K). This barn is 15% on the grass and 16% with their routers. This filly puts two races together and has an even running style that might work better going two turns. -Scott Ehlers

1:01 LRL 2nd BIG WANDA (#1, 6-1) is out of a synthetic sprint-winning half-sister to multiple stakes-winning (turf and synthetic) router Hollinger (won first four starts; Canadian 2-year-old champion; 96 turf Beyer top), Grade 3-winning turf router Rinadi and stakes-placed synthetic router Hot and Spicy (won debut; 83 turf and synthetic Beyer). Mendelssohn - Speightstown "nick" produced stakes-placed turf sprinter Golden Nugget (75 turf Beyer). -Dan Illman

3:34 GP 6th SIR BANANA BRIAN (#3, 20-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers).

3:39 LRL 7th POGGIBONSI (#2, 10-1) ran well in lone prior start on turf last year. Took a light bump at the start, pressed a 7-1 shot (finished sixth) through a quick opening quarter, attacked in between rivals on the turn, then held the place behind a sharp New York shipper. Curious to see how she'll perform following 203-day layoff with other speed entered to her outside. Barbosa lands here instead of Bitty Boss. -Dan Illman

3:40 WO 6th CRY FREEDOM (#10, 6-1) made a three-wide bid into contention on the turn before flattening out to fourth in her one-mile comeback, a race she seemingly needed. Miss Roberts exited that event to run big and Cry Freedom switches to the inner turf here with Hernandez back riding for CDP, a good combo. -Ron Gierkink

4:13 MTH 8th Thought MAX'S GLORY (#5, 9-2) was game in defeat in that first start against winners, as he battled on the lead from the start before giving way to the closers, and though he failed to run to his maiden-breaking Beyer he has license to do just that today, as he looms the controlling speed; can steal this if able to shake loose in the opening stages. -Kenny Peck

4:42 MTH 9th DISCREET OPS (#7, 6-1) turned in a pretty good effort in her turf debut last time, in the Stormy Blues Stakes, closing willingly late despite running into some traffic trouble in the lane; she should get ample pace to chase in this Blue Sparkler Stakes and she can run them all down late if she can work out a trouble-free trip. -Kenny Peck

4:48 WO 8th BOUND TO BE TRUE (#4, 8-1) romped from off the pace when debuting in a June 8 maiden special that contained two next-out maiden special weight winners. The daughter of Cairo Prince has worked thrice in the interim and could mow down all the speed in this first 2yo stakes of the meet. -Ron Gierkink

5:09 GP 9th BIG BAND LUZZIANN (#9, 12-1) ran better in three of her last four starts and that includes a local turf try three back. She didn't get a clean trip two back. She got a nice confidence boost last out but it is the return to the green that we like best. Some horses are slow to develop or simply get good later in life and maybe this 6YO is a good example of that. Her Tomlinsons of 444 and 391 are about as good as it gets. This barn is 15% with horses that won their last race. -Scott Ehlers

5:12 MTH 10th THREETHIRTYTHREE (#7, 9-2) turns back from a turf route for this sprint and that's a strong angle for trainer Jose Hernandez (21%, $2.89 ROI); he was off the board when last at this distance, two back, but that was against better, and his prior Beyers give him strong credibility in this nightcap. -Kenny Peck

5:38 GP 10th MARSHMALLOW QUEEN (#6, 6-1) has tactical speed and draws well in this elongated sprint. She just ran a Beyer top and might actually be better going this distance if those efforts 3 and 4 back are any indication. She has stakes experience and has done all of her winning on this dirt. -Scott Ehlers

7:10 CBY 3rd FREEZE 'EM (#8, 10-1) tried tougher in his lone turf start and it came versus first time winners. Connections wanted a turf stakes in his most recent but it was washed off. This gelding has a recent work and figures a solid price. -Scott Ehlers

8:10 CBY 7th SAVONA (#6, 10-1) is a turf sprint specialist that returns to a turf sprint. She has good speed and puts three races together. There is other speed in this race but this mare can stalk if needed. She even draws nicely and keeps her regular rider while second out for new barn. -Scott Ehlers

8:40 CBY 6th HALF BROTHER (#7, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers).

9:24 SAC 4th STONE'S RIVER (#4, 9-2) makes his third start off the layoff for a barn that has clicked at 37% at Sacramento over the last five years after battling early and tiring late in a $16k open claimer that fell apart late. The Acclamation gelding not only gets some class relief here but finds a field void of serious early speed. The Hat Trick Racing runner should make the lead without having to work much early and have plenty left late to hold off this group of $8k claimers. -Scott Shapiro

9:52 SAC 5th YODERANDO (#3, 9-2) makes her second start off the claim for trainer Gary Greiner after failing to get out of the gate as well as she normally does against better on June 23. The Tamarando filly failed to make much of an impression that day at Pleasanton but should find a perfect stalking position off the likely pacesetters to her inside. All five of her victories have come over the all-weather at Golden Gate but I will take my chances she fires on the main track despite failing to hit the board in her first try over dirt last month. -Scott Shapiro