DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, July 3, 2021

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.

12:50 GP 2nd BLAKENSTEIN (#3, 8-1) got hung wide chasing fast ones dropping to this level last time. Stretches out, has the speed to lead these a merry chase if put right on front end as expected. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:49 GP 4th SWEET ACTRESS (#8, 9-2) tries dirt for the first time off a couple of useful turf runs. Third could prove the charm. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:04 MTH 5th MAC’S REVOLUTION (#4, 5-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:42 PIM 5th It’s possible that A GREAT AFFAIR’s (#8, 8-1) pedigree is geared more to dirt success as the sire connects with 17% of debut runners with only 7% first-turf winners. Also, the debut-winning dam was multiple stakes-placed on dirt with an 0 for 3 record on the weeds. Some quick works at Timonium leading up to the debut, however, and trainer Robby Bailes has sent out some live runners in recent weeks including turf sprint winner Tea in China. Bailes is also 4 for the last 16 (25% winners, $3.18 ROI) with first-time starters. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:47 WO 4th BORN TO BE GOOD (#7, 8-1) raced wide over an inside-favoring track while making a bid and then tiring in the final sixteenth when a close fifth in her return to action. She should be more effective with that prep out of the way. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:22 WO 5th SUGAR IS GOLDEN (#6, 5-1) is by the good speed/debut sire Goldencents, and is bred to be quite precocious on the dam’s side. Trainer Barb Minshall has excellent starts with first-timers and has already won a baby race at the meet. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:23 GP 7th DAHLONEGA (#5, 9-2) as good as any in this extremely tough turf sprint after chasing home only wire to wire winner R Next Roll(75 Beyer) when dropping back for this tag a month earlier. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:44 PIM 7th BATTLEBUS (#5, 6-1) makes his second start of the year after finishing ahead of a couple of these. Saved ground behind a hot pace, altered course twice to get outside and rallied nicely for the place. That race hasn’t come back strong just yet (five next-out runners, none hit the board, best Beyer of 79). Gomez lands here instead of John the Bear. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:45 LAD 1st OGRE’S LION KING (#5, 10-1) tried the turf and two turns for the first time previously and it was only his third career start. He beat over half the field home even though he was stuck in the outside post. Turf breeding is good and this horse has every right to improve second time turf and two turns. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:51 WO 6th UMNEYAAT (#4, 20-1) is by the successful sprinter/miler sire Street Boss, who’s gotten nearly 14% first-out winners. She’s out of a debut winner at 2, who’s produced two $100K+ winners, and is commencing her career with blinkers and some quick works on her tab. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:53 MTH 9th HONEY I’M GOOD (#4, 3-1) faded badly in the lane in the Politely after pressing the pace with two other rivals and that was a rare situation in that it was a five furlong race that set up nicely for the closers, thanks to the early duel involving this mare; this Regret Stakes seems to present a much different race flow, as there’s not nearly as much speed signed on, and she figures to rebound nicely and run to her better figures if she’s able to dictate the tempo on a loose lead. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:21 MTH 10th TAKAFUMI (#1, 3-1) was forced wide on the turn when a rival was stricken and went down, and was not asked once it was clear he wasn’t going to threaten, but he showed interest through the lane and he galloped out nicely after the wire; back in a claimer today and with a clean trip he has license to run to that 81 Beyer he posted in his only other turf/sprint try. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:37 LAD 3rd SMART PEGASUS (#6, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:03 LAD 4th VALADON (#7, 20-1) goes second time everything: racing, turf, and two turns. This barn shows a flat bet profit on the grass. We even like the jock switch to Guzman. Has the best Beyer speed figures and just ran well on this sod. She is the big chalk but also a horse that has lost her last three races as the favorite. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:29 LAD 5th JR’S SAUVAGE (#7, 8-1) gets an upgrade in the jockey department and returns to routing. Current form is better and we think this is a good time for the added distance. That and a good price of course. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:40 CBY 2nd PILOT PRINCE (#1, 9-2) exits a key race where 2 of 4 returned to win with figs of 54 and 65. Diodoro barn is on fire. Last race was very poor but also an excuse to ship here and steal a purse (in the black with a win and a claim). Owners Empire Racing are having a great meet. Negron gets a leg up and is 83% for team Diodoro. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:53 WO 10th EASY WEEKEND (#6, 10-1) closed for third behind two next-out winners the last time he went postward in an identical spot Nov. 20. The nicely-bred Curlin gelding is sent out by a capable layoff trainer. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:08 GP 12th CAMPEADOR (#10, 9-2) gets slight nod if final stays on the lawn dropping to bottom off big try vs. better when not badly beaten despite forcing extremely fast pace. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:45 CBY 6th DIGITAL STAR (#8, 5-1) was solid in 2020 and did break his maiden at CD. A few good tries in his return and we have pocket excuses for some of the other ones. One of three sibs is a multiple winner on the green. Turf tomlinson is a very good 339 so this guy could love the local green. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

8:52 CBY 8th SUPERIOR’S BOY (#8, 5-1) gets class relief and goes third off the layoff. We like the jock switch to Negron. Race flow is only average so no help there. A better price than some and don’t forget that these turf horses often take turns beating each other. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

9:26 CBY 9th UNDECIDEDCERTAINTY (#7, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Matt Dunn). -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets