DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, July 22, 2023
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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 DUBBY DUBBIE (#11, 8-1) has consistent figures and the tactical speed to work out a favorable trip behind a contested pace, as there is a fair amount of early zip in this field; may be good enough with the right set up, and he should be a decent price. -Kenny Peck
1:05 WO 1st LAST MONARCH (#6, 6-1) finished a clear second vs. $25K maidens when returning from an extended layoff second time out July 8. The 4yo could mow down the speed in this higher Tapeta sprint if he continues to improve. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
1:35 WO 2nd MIAH SAID (#2, 6-1) raced quite wide throughout when sixth behind two next-out winners last time vs. OS/$40K maidens. The son of millionaire grasser Mr Speaker is the first foal from a turf router who banked $355K. He could wake up in this experiment on the inner turf vs. $25K maidens. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
1:46 GP 3rd TIK TOKABLE (#4, 5-1) has caught wet tracks in both of his starts and suspect he might be effective on a fast track based on some of his works. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race
2:29 LRL 5th Not sure ICE COLD FROSTY (#2, 10-1) got a true chance to show his turf potential when facing a very tough first-level allowance group on Black-Eyed Susan Friday. Raced three wide in midpack, dropped inside when outpaced on the second turn, then never got involved against two next-out 78-Beyer winners. Lone win came sprinting without blinkers, and he'll remove them today while cutting back in distance in first off the Mancilla claim. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race
3:00 LRL 6th DANCINONTHEBEACH (#8, 10-1) is out of a half-sister to She Be Wild, who was named champion 2-year-old filly of 2009 after winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on synthetic. Barn went 3 for the last 11 (27%, $3.45 ROI) with older debut runners on dirt, and they often use one-mile breezes to get them ready. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race
3:07 GP 6th MAGICSHADOW (#6, 6-1) has moved forward with each of his starts and is returning to the statebred ranks. He also seems like one who will make good use of the bit of added real estate he picks up in this spot. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race
3:41 WO 6th PLEASURE'S GOLD (#3, 8-1) blew away NW3 OS allowance stock with a big 85 Beyer in her comeback, before coming up empty in the restricted Ballade Stakes. The addition of Lasix probably explains that last debacle, and she could rebound in this seven-furlong N2X, even though she's skipping a condition. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
4:05 MTH 9th ALOGON (#3, 10-1) impressed in that last one, a third-place finish in the Get Serious Stakes, closing ground through the lane while down inside; he goes an extra sixteenth here, which is new to him, but if he can relax in the opening stages he should fall into a good trip behind a lively pace in the Wolf Hill, which features several speeds drawn to his outside. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
5:17 SAC 2nd The first-time starter GORM (#1, 6-1) drew the rail against a weak field in this $5,000 claimer at five furlongs. Trained by Jamey Thomas, who does well with debut runners, Gorm had a quick half-mile workout in 48 seconds from the gate at Pleasanton on July 15, not the first time the gelding has worked quickly. The fast work suggests that Gorm can be prominent early, and perhaps grab the lead in this small field of five. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race
5:33 LAD 2nd RED RAIDER XPRESS (#6, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race
6:01 LAD 3rd GUITARTUITION PLZZ (#9, 15-1) has won twice on this sod and goes for the top barn. He drops in class and is an incredible 15-1 on the morning line. His last race came back key when 3 of 8 returned to win with figs of 83, 77, and 67. That 73 Beyer on the green at FG only four back simply wins this if duplicated. Any chance this guy just hates Evangeline? First call rider in Guerrero gets a leg up. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
6:07 CBY 1st NORTHERN COCKTAIL (#4, 8-1) didn't care for the turf two back and hopped at the start in his most recent. Those Turf Paradise tries 3 and 4 back fit here while two tries just before those were versus better. He has a recent work and cuts back a full furlong today. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
6:49 MTH 14th PENZANCE (#7, 4-1) stretches out and adds blinkers for her second career start, and those are all strong angles for trainer Mike Stidham; this colt was off the board in his latest but he was moving well through the lane while not being pushed hard once clearly off the board, and his dam was a graded stakes winner who was at her best going long on the main track. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
6:57 LAD 5th ORDER OF MERIT (#11, 15-1) is by a 8% debut turf sire. His dam never tried the grass. One of three sibs won on the grass with another having hit the board. Current form is very sharp and not even an off track could slow this guy down in his most recent. Turf and distance breeding are solid with his Tomlinsons of 306/368. Suarez keeps the faith. If this comes off then chances improve. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
7:07 CBY 3rd JOSE PATIO (#2, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race
7:50 SAC 7th DANCE TO THE MUSIC (#5, 8-1) won the G3 Desert Stormer Stakes for fillies and mares at six furlongs at Santa Anita in March and should get a favorable stalking trip in this $75,000 stakes for fillies and mares at six furlongs. This is a rapid turnaround for Dance to the Music, who finished fourth after a wide trip in the G2 Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 1-2 furlongs at Los Al on July 4 in her only start since the Desert Stormer. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race
7:53 LAD 7th C. C. HARBOR (#6, 20-1) was running at Oaklawn before coming here and maybe she needed her most recent at least to some extent. She might actually be better on the dirt in case this comes off. We like the jock switch to Nieves and this 20-1 morning line. This filly has worked twice since her most recent. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race