DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, September 17, 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.
1:10 WO 1st GENEVA (#1, 12-1) worked okay from the gate on the Tapeta on Sept. 3 in preparation for her debut in this two-turn inner turf tilt for $25K maidens, and should be a square price. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
2:05 MTH 5th SHIMMERING LIGHT (#11, 8-1) makes his first start off the claim by trainer Darien Rodriguez, and that makes him a threat by default given the barn's record with new faces, but he also has merit thanks to a couple of deceptively good efforts on the turf earlier this year; eligible to make the last run given the right trip and he does loom a good price. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
2:53 GP 6th NO NAME DUDE (#4, 8-1) chased runaway winner, faltered late in promising debut against open company and barn sporting good numbers with second time starters. Slight edge in a field loaded with new faces. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
3:01 MTH 7th MERCURY HEAD (#7, 5-1) was a game winner two back, and though she could not catch up with ZUBOSHI in that last try she spotted that rival position, and she continued well to the wire; makes her first start off the Kelly Breen claim and she has worked extremely well since switching barns. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
3:30 LRC 1st Based on a dominating win over a weak nighttime field last out, and a starter allowance runner-up finish three back at the Los Alamitos daytime configuration, BOB'S SNIPER (#7, 5-1) might be the right horse in this restricted $10k claiming sprint. He has speed when necessary, his versatility allows him to rally from behind. Sharp gelding racing on his home track gets the call. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race
3:47 WO 6th OUR LIBERTY BELLE (#3, 15-1) is adding blinkers while extending to a route and the daughter of American Pharoah is bred for the task at hand. The Live Oak homebred is trying the Tapeta for the first time and has worked decently over it. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
3:57 MTH 9th MYSTIC DREAMS (#5, 6-1) is back in for a tag after facing allowance runners in her latest and she ran well for the show two back when at this same level; steady recent Beyers are among the best in the field, and she'll make a late impact today if she gets honest splits to chase. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
4:22 WO 7th CHISELER (#4, 12-1) has worked encouragingly since checking in a close fourth in the Soaring Free, a stakes prep for this rich G1 mile. The nicely-bred son of Speightstown has the look of a live longshot under regular rider Husbands. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
4:33 LAD 2nd INVINCIBILITY (#4, 5-1) has better turf speed than dirt speed and no that isn't very unusual. If anyone is quickest, then it might be this colt. His best efforts have come on the grass going this distance. Lone Star and Sam Houston grass foes are just better than what this guy faces today. Wire please. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
4:53 MTH 11th WEBSLINGER (#10, 10-1) is a maiden trying stakes company in the Nownownow but he has a great deal of potential coming off that sprint try at Saratoga, where he checked back to last on the turn and came running late to get the place; this is his first attempt at routing but trainer Mark Casse does very well with stretch-outs and he should get ample pace to chase. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
5:33 GP 11th HEART BOY (#4, 6-1) drops, sheds blinkers, might be sitting on best yet. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
5:35 WO 9th SHIRL'S SPEIGHT (#6, 12-1) came charging on the outside from seventh to notch his first G1 stakes at Keeneland in April. The hot weather led to his dull performance on July 23 in the G2 Connaught Cup, and he was subsequently scratched on a humid Aug. 21 from the G2 King Edward. He worked brilliantly the other day under Wilson and has some speed to chase in this BC Win and You're In qualifier. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
6:22 LAD 6th COUYONS CAUSE (#8, 10-1) is by a 6% debut turf sire. His dam went 2-1-0-0 on the green for 16K (won turf debut). This is her first grass foal. This colt can pass runners and gets good race flow all at what should be a good price. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
7:00 HST 5th AIR FORCE (#3, 5-1) was making a strong move on the second turn when she had to check sharply in the $50K CTHS Sales Stakes in her first try in a two-turn sprint and should move forward with the experience behind her. -Randy Goulding | Get PPs for this race
7:20 GG 6th In a weak field, LOVE OF THE SPORT (#2, 5-1) can record an elusive second win if he repeats his turf races from June and early August. Love the Sport was a disappointing fifth in his first start of the current meeting, racing wide and offering no punch in the stretch. He was a much brighter second at Santa Rosa in early August and is drawn well here in post 2 for his stalking style. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race
7:40 WBS (Harness) 3rd SAVETHELASTDANCE (#4, 8-5) looked like a really good one right from the start, now she is getting faster which is bad news for her rivals. She adds Lasix here and she gets top billing as the DRF Best Bet. – Garnet Barnsdale | Get PPs for this race
8:47 GG 9th UNION DANCE (#6, 6-1) was a game second in a $40,000 claimer at a mile on the synthetic track on Sept. 5, and is well-spotted in this optional claimer at the same distance. Union Dance drew post 6 in a field of seven, and should track the pace. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race
9:10 CBY 9th DREAMINGOFBLING (#9, 8-1) ran evenly in her debut while earning valuable race experience. She draws outside again and adds a half furlong. A better break would go a long way. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
9:40 CBY 10th SUMMER ALL YEAR (#3, 10-1) ran well in both starts to date and got a ton of play in both. Lots and lots of works since his most recent and this barn is 29% off a medium layoff. This barn is 24% in stakes. This February bred is a little older than most and we like the short layoff. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
10:20 MED (Harness) 11th IN LOU OF MONEY (#3, 15-1) was used hard versus a better NW3000 group last Saturday and lacked anything at the end of the mile. This field also appears to lack a ton of early speed, which should ensure a good trip for him. – Derick Giwner | Get PPs for this race
11:23 RP 8th OTTOTHELEGEND (#4, 6-1) makes the move to turf and there are aspects of his pedigree that support him on the grass. He's also appealing from a class standpoint. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race
11:51 RP 9th COST A FORTUNE (#5, 12-1) has been in some quick races of late. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race