DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, July 20, 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.

12:54 MTH 3rd VENEZUELAN TRIUMPH (#7, 12-1) was forced to steady at the outset last time out, and that cost him, as he was then caught well off the pacesetters and left with a lot to do, but he closed with good interest late; his prior try was also deceptively good, as he rallied through traffic to finish just three lengths off the winner, and he can win this given a clean trip behind a lively tempo. -Kenny Peck

1:52 MTH 5th SACRED WISH (#6, 5-1) was off the board in the Eatontown Stakes but she lost her best chance when she ran into traffic at a key point in the stretch, and she effectively lost all chance; jockey Luis Saez can solve that problem before it develops in this Matchmaker Stakes by putting her on the lead, as this race lacks obvious pace and she can steal it given aggressive handling from this outside post. -Kenny Peck

2:05 LRL 4th THATAWAY (#5, 6-1) must improve after finishing behind a couple of these last month, but the lightly-raced gelding might have more upside than some of these. Got away with an easy opening quarter in most recent start, had to speed it up on the backstretch and into the second turn, then faltered along the inside. He figures close to the pace again, but wonder if he'll be more effective if he has a target or two to track. -Dan Illman

2:31 GP 4th FLASHOVER (#6, 15-1) ends up in a 21% barn that is 17% with new runners. This colt ran a Beyer top in his debut and was claimed from that effort. His follow up tries were just OK and include a pair of route tries. We think this colt is actually better going short. Works are well spaced and that July 6th drill was 3rd best of 47 and might tip hand. -Scott Ehlers

2:56 MTH 7th LADY MADONNA (#5, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck).

3:09 LRL 6th FLASHY DUDE (#7, 6-1) is out of a full sister to Grade 3-winning dirt sprinter Comedero and stakes-winning dirt sprinter Awesome Gent (100 dirt Beyer). The second dam was a stakes-placed dirt sprinter (83 dirt Beyer). July 15 workout matches barn's 5-year-old mare Beneath the Stars (entered in today's eighth race). Perhaps they breezed in company for barn that went 3 for the last 10 (30%, $2.62 ROI) with juvenile debut runners on dirt in Maryland. -Dan Illman

3:41 LRL 7th CONGRESS HALL (#2, 20-1) settled in midpack behind quick fractions last month, advanced along the inside turning into the stretch, was forced to alter course sharply to the far outside, then gave an even finish behind Diva Ready, who then placed for the $20,000 starter-option with a 74. Don't think she wins that day with a clean trip, but might have been a bit closer on the wire. She'll be her usual good price on the tote and would appreciate a little bit of pace and race luck. Rosado departs for Catch the Kitten (997 lbs. on 6/29). -Dan Illman

4:06 GP 7th ARISTOTLE (#5, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers).

4:19 WO 7th FOREVER DIXIE (#8, 10-1) is eligible to put her best hoof forward in her fourth start off the sidelines in this G3 if she gets an honest pace to chase. Husbands/Casse is the leading stakes combo at the meet by a large margin. -Ron Gierkink

5:09 GP 9th UNCLE B (#9, 10-1) is good on any surface so a return to the turf is fine as is synth if this is rained off. We really like Reyes up as this gelding responds best to him. This 10YO returns off a layoff but it just isn't very taxing returning in a shortened sprint like this even for a horse this age. Class drop is fine and we like this outside post. -Scott Ehlers

5:38 GP 10th GOLDEN GLIDER (#1, 8-1) tried the local dirt for the first time in his most recent and won at 5/2. Now connections find a spot where he can't be claimed. This barn is a solid 19% with horses that won their last race. This closer draws the rail where he can save all the ground and gets a solid pace to chase. Gonzalez leaves for the Joseph horse but that is to be expected. Jaramillo gets to be the hero today and is 16% for this barn locally. -Scott Ehlers

6:08 WO 10th LIVIN ON LUV (#1, 8-1) could mow down all the speed in this field after coming from an inside stalking position. She rarely runs a bad one and can handle either surface. -Ron Gierkink

6:08 GP 11th NIGHT JUMPER (#9, 10-1) ran well two, three, and four back and is now reunited with that rider in Perez. This horse has some tactical speed to help with this post and puts the blinkers ON. A recent work can only help. -Scott Ehlers

6:42 WO 11th HOULIHAN (#6, 12-1) is plunging from the maiden special ranks to a spot where her speed could carry her to victory. -Ron Gierkink

6:49 MTH 14th ABBY THE BULL DAWG (#6, 10-1) was unable to catch up with the winner on the wire but she may have been moving best of all in that sprint last time, and she also ran well in defeat two back, when she broke slowly but closed well after racing far back early; her lack of tactical speed is a concern but given a little help and some racing luck she may be good enough to run them all down late. -Kenny Peck