DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, September 10, 2022
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.
12:44 MTH 2nd HERE COMES BILLY (#9, 8-1) is an upgrade candidate, coming off a pair of dirt races where speeds held the edge in terms of race flow, and he was off the early pace; his lone win came in a sprint on the turf but he didn't run badly going two turns in those last two, and he may find a grass route exactly what he's looking for. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
1:02 KD 2nd Will treat FRENCH COMPOSER's (#5, 10-1) Aug. 30 debut as his final work for this start. Raced in a dirt sprint and looks much more like a route horse, and sire Jimmy Creed has been rolling with his grass runners. This gelding didn't do much running for the first half of his race but got some good momentum from the quarter pole to the finish and appeared to gallop out well. Sure to be a price in a big field with some big-name connections. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race
1:59 WO 3rd MR NARCISSISTIC (#2, 9-2) closed inside for second in a much-improved performance last out in his second try at this $25K NW2 level, earning the highest last-out Beyer in this field in the process. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
2:04 GP 4th SEMIRAMIS (#7, 6-1) wasn't disgraced at all when 5th for twice this tag here Aug. 20. He drops and gets blinkers and that combination might be just what the Dr. ordered. -Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race
2:10 KD 4th ARROBLUE (#8, 8-1) was out the back door into the first turn of her career debut, an Ellis Park turf route, but her race thereafter was good. Long looping move, flattened out slightly upper stretch, came again the final half-furlong and with another horse galloped out way in front. Juddmonte homebred the first foal from this dam. Hoping for more positional pace this time. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race
2:30 WO 4th DESTINIQUE (#10, 8-1) has been competitive in optional starters, including a neck loss against the boys most recently, and is a good fit in this N1X Beyer-wise. In a field without much speed, she should be forwardly placed and could take some catching under Civaci. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
3:08 WO 5th CARA CARA (#8, 12-1) worked okay from the gate on Aug. 28 and is by the 24% 2yo debut sire Signature Red, who gets fast runners. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
3:55 KD 7th Sitting in the middle of a long string of regular works is a bullet half-mile from the gate (fastest of 42 works at the distance that morning) from LADY BARON (#7, 12-1). She looks set for a strong debut run and is bred top and bottom for grass. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race
4:36 PIM 8th WENDELL FONG (#7, 12-1) did good work for Talie Lynch last year. An impressive winner of Laurel's Fire Plug Stakes as he clipped heels badly at the start and gave up significant early ground, then rallied widest and fastest for the win. Lynch reached in and grabbed Wendell Fong for $40,000 after the veteran was held up behind a slow pace at Saratoga on July 20. The runner-up from that heat returned to win for $25,000 at Colonial with an 86 Beyer. Needs a step forward against this tough group, but there's a chance the pace will heat up, and he can give a late bid at a price. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race
5:08 PIM 9th BIZZEE CHANNEL (#3, 15-1) must improve stepping way up in first start off Gaudet claim, but the veteran has some back class (beat Arlington million winner Two Emmys twice in 2021) and might show speed in a race without much early pace. Somewhat disappointed in his last start at Colonial as he loomed boldly after making a three-wide bid on the final turn only to hang a bit when it counted. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race
5:12 MTH 11th COCOA ICING (#11, 12-1) has been away since the maiden score back in July, and while the Beyer she posted in that victory is a little light she was visually impressive in that victory, and she has license to improve in her first start off the bench; should be a price and may be good enough to knock off favorite TIC TIC TIC BOOM, who figures to be a short price despite an 12-0-0-3 record on the grass. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
5:45 KD 10th No Lasix is a concern, and, top to bottom, RED KNIGHT (#1, 15-1) faces a meaningfully stronger group here than he beat last out at CNL. That said, the 91 Beyer can only tell you so much since the figure doesn't account for ground loss -- and he took plenty of that. Red Knight was a full four paths wide with no cover around the last of three turns, and still comfortably outfinished the capable 12-furlong horse Another Mystery. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race
6:22 LAD 6th FREEDOMFI (#8, 8-1) draws well for this tricky distance and likes it at 4-2-1-0. He goes second time this barn and drops in class. We love the jock switch to Del-Cid who is 26% for team Broberg. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
6:49 LAD 7th MO TAP (#9, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race
8:16 CBY 7th STITZY (#8, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race
9:03 GG 9th Of the eight runners in this field of maidens at a mile on turf, Belleo's Forest is the only one that did not race in Southern California last time out. SHE'S A BIT SASSY (#7, 9-2) is winless in seven starts, but was a game second at Santa Anita in February after setting the pace. She could be near the front again in her second start after a four-month layoff. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race
10:40 WBS (Harness) 12th COMMANDING OFFICER (#5, 7-2) was locked up tight in the pocket for the entire stretch drive last week as the leader was on his way to a third straight win. He drops here and he is the clear top pick. – Garnet Barnsdale | Get PPs for this race
10:55 RP 7th GOLD ACCOUNT (#1, 6-1) is back at two turns for his second start off the layoff and both of his wins have come at the configuration. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race
11:51 RP 9th SWANAGE (#7, 10-1) has registered all four of her wins on turf and her natural speed should help her secure position into the first turn. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race