DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, March 21, 2020

With most other North American sports being shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, we hope the sport of horse racing can entertain you during these trying times. 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.

1:05 TAM 2nd SIR HIGGINS (#2, 2-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck).

1:35 TAM 3rd IVORYSGOLDTREASURE (#1, 4-1) had a bit of trouble at the start in her latest when a rival came over on her, and that cost her position, and though she was no threat in the lane she wasn't pushed hard when it was clear she wouldn't threaten for a large share; she galloped out well, too, indicating she has more ability than she showed there. -Kenny Peck

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2:05 TAM 4th CARAMELITO (#2, 5-2) seemed to be a possible pace candidate in that paceless race last time but he was caught well off the pace in the opening stages and that left him with too much to do; now drops in for a tag for the first time and takes the blinkers off while switching to Camacho and he can be expected to improve, especially given a forward trip from his inside post. -Kenny Peck

2:05 OP 1st ROAD GAME (#3, 2-1) ran well on the cutback from two turns to one last out and could be even sharper here, in his second straight sprint start. He also adds blinkers. -Mary Rampellini

2:15 GP 4th CONSILIUM (#2, 9-2) back to more suitable spot after being over-matched last time. Near miss vs same kind on 1/16 points him out one to beat if able to repeat the try. -Mike Welsch

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2:35 OP 2nd ZEROED IN (#8, 2-1) has speed and a post that might give De La Cruz options. He also owns the field's best last-race Beyer Figure. -Mary Rampellini

3:06 FG 7th MYSTIC GUIDE (#7, 7-2) might've won debut over sprint distance shorter than he wants with a better start, and as it was he finished fastest and quickly galloped out far in front in an encouraging unveiling. Very likely to move forward here at two turns. - Marcus Hersh

3:35 TAM 7th TEMPLE MOUNT (#11, 5-1) has had her chances at that elusive 2nd career win but he makes his first start off the claim and first as a gelding, and the lone work he turned in for this suggests he'll come back running for trainer Gary Johnson; needs pace, but should get it, as there are several speeds to his inside and out. -Kenny Peck

3:47 GP 7th GOLDEN TAPIT (#5, 5-1) ran to breeding and promising ork tab in local and turf bow at a square price on graduation day. Half brother to G1 winners Paddy O'Prado and Untapable might just be good enough to handle jump to next level. -Mike Welsch

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4:00 SA 3rd This Cal-bred turf route is a spot to take a shot with likely pacesetter FLYING TO THE LINE (#7, 6-1). She was chewed up chasing fast fractions both recent starts, but now figures for the same type trip that produced a 25-1 upset three starts back. That was a loose-on-the-lead wire job at one mile. 'LINE faces less speed in this field, she should make the lead, and might be able to spring a mild front-running upset. -Brad Free

4:05 TAM 8th SHES DYNOMITE (#7, 9-2) was unable to stay close to the pace in her latest and that cost her, as she is at her best when she's able to stalk the leaders from a forward position; that should be the case here, and if she doesn't make the lead herself she figures to get first run at alternate pace candidate ITSAGIMME'S GIRL; if these two can set a controlled pace a two-speed exacta is certainly a plausible scenario. -Kenny Peck

4:06 OP 5th REPLETE (#5, 7-2) exits a quick race and the start was his first in three months. He would seem to have reason to move forward in his second start back and also goes for the high percentage Diodoro. -Mary Rampellini

4:18 GP 8th STORM ADVISORY (#5, 6-1) tries blinkers again which might just give him enough early foot to clear off, control this one from the outset. -Mike Welsch

4:36 OP 6th LOMBO (#4, 20-1) exits a strong race, with the winner coming back to take the $350K Essex Handicap last weekend at Oaklawn and the runner-up, the $125K Temperence Hill, last Friday at Oaklawn. This one might prove to be the one to catch. -Mary Rampellini

4:49 GP 9th FOOLISH HUMOR (#7, 7-2), the day's best, showed much promise at 2, seems to be training forwardly enough to get back on winning track if away cleanly in local bow. -Mike Welsch

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5:02 SA 4th GOLDEN VICTORY (#9, 3-1) figures as the one to beat based on three successive third-place finishes. -Brad Free

6:24 GP 12th GREAT KAHUNA (#2, 10-1) hard used on lead, faltered late making first start for new connections off the claim but has since returned with sharp main track drill, gets another shot returning with same kind. -Mike Welsch

7:07 SA 8th GUINESSEY (#9, 6-1) flashed improved speed before fading last time out in his second start. He drops from Cal-bred maiden-50 to open maiden-20, and with only slight improvement might handle this modest lineup with a pressing trip outside. -Brad Free

7:07 SA 8th BLAZING HOME (#8, 4-1) was no factor in his first 2 but those were just his first 2 and both came vs. more expensive. He routed last time, showed speed, cuts back to a sprint and lures Prat. – Michael Hammersly

GETTING EXOTIC

GULFSTREAM PARK
PICK 3
RACES 9-11

Race 9: Wesley Ward had FOOLISH HUMOR (7) ready to return last month when entering her in a Gulfstream allowance, but the race came off the grass. A few more Palm Meadows works later, the filly is really raring to go, and she sure seems to carry a substantial class edge over the rest of these. She’s a confident single.

Race 10: A few come-backing fillies help to make this a very interesting first-level allowance, with I DARE YOU (6) probably the most capable of that group. Otherwise, the inside-drawn trio with greater recency – WE MISS SUSIE (1), WANDERLUST (2), and TALE OF SUCCESS (3) – should provide the balance of needed coverage.

Race 11: After facing Four Wheel Drive in back-to-back races, ANOTHER MIRACLE (4) threw in a real clunker in the Inaugural at Tampa, but that’s easily excused (dirt). Duly regrouped by the soon-to-retire Gary Contessa prior to being turned over as the proverbial “baked cake” to Joe Orseno, the colt surely will appreciate the return to turf and this caliber of company. He’s a single, too.

The play: $10 part-wheel, 7 with 1/2/3/6 with 4 = $40.

-Marty McGee