DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026

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.

12:20 GP 1st THE TWINS (#7, 6-1) ran evenly in her debut going six furlongs while getting just a little play when sent off at almost 7-1. She blew the start in her second race but notice it was going seven panels. Now she another furlong for this flat mile try all while drawing outside. Her dam has an average winning distance for her offspring of 7.2 furlongs while the sire has 6.7. We spy a recent fast work and an equipment change. Everything is assembled for a better effort today. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

1:00 WO 1st SMARTER STILL (#5, 8-1) ran at least four-wide all the way when third in a slow race at this price in his improved last outing. This third start off an extended layoff could be a peak one for the 5yo. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

1:10 SAR 1st CADDIEMASTER (#2, 6-1) ran pretty well in two starts going this distance at Aqueduct, including the first one off the claim for Rice; easily handled weaker when back out around two turns last month at Finger Lakes; leaves from a good post with tactical speed for a barn that has been heating up. - Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race

1:46 CNL 4th LOU'S ROOM (#4, 10-1) will make his debut for Weaver, which will account for most of the attention he receives; the trainer is 4-for-5 with 2-year-olds at Colonial in the last five years, including one debut winner last summer; sire Epicenter has not passed down much precocity yet, but Weaver clearly seems to think turf is the way to go, working him on the surface three straight times at Saratoga ahead of this start; a lot to like about the $410,000 purchase. - Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race

2:46 CNL 6th DON'T COPY ME (#4, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Patrick Moquin). | Get Past Performances for this race

3:10 CBY 3rd TOFFEE (#7, 6-1) is bred to love the grass with her turf Tommy of 356. She tried the local sod for the first time last out and lost the photo at almost 9-1. Second time on this sod should help and she draws outside again. If all stay in, then race flow is more than fair as should be the price. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

3:31 GP 7th LITTLE JAMIE (#4, 7-2) ran a solid third in her turf debut previously and that was versus stakes foes. Is this 5YO a new turf horse? Second time on the sod should help and this mare gets good race flow all for a high percentage barn. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

3:40 CBY 4th LONG GONE SALLY (#1, 8-1) has speed and the rail but the 3 horse is probably quicker. That's fine as this filly can stalk. Feel good horses often find a way to win no matter the pace as long as it isn't extreme. This 4HYO cuts back to her favorite distance where she is 10-3-2-1. -Scott Ehlers

3:45 WO 6th ALBERTA PHAROAH (#6, 15-1) was gelded after ending up seventh behind two next-out maiden special winners at first asking June 28 in a Tapeta sprint won by the talented Quipster. The son of 12% turf sprint sire American Pharoah has worked thrice since for a 5% second-out trainer and could prevail in this wide open maiden special on the main turf. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

4:10 CBY 5th OLD TALBOTT (#9, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race

4:15 WO 7th RUNNING ON TIME (#4, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Get Past Performances for this race

4:22 MTH 8th LIFE RAFT (#9, 9-2) kept on for 2nd at 71-1 in a turf sprints here Aug. 1 and that was vs. winners. She's back in vs. maidens and that plus proven turf sprint form makes her the one to beat. One of her two sibs to race is turf winner Surfing. - Michael Hammersly | Get Past Performances for this race

4:52 SAR 7th TURBO LAUNCH (#8, 5-1) is a wildcard switching to dirt for the first time in start number seven, and second off the claim; has shown speed at times on the turf, and he takes a big class drop for Linda Rice - past five years, turf-to-dirt, sprint: 25%, $2.43 ROI. - Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race

5:18 WO 9th DARK SCREEN (#6, 8-1), a five-furlong inner turf specialist, seems made-to-order for this Ontario-bred stakes off a clear second in a conditioned allowance/optional claimer, for which he got a career high 89 Beyer. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

6:38 DMR 4th SCENE BY ME (#5, 4-1) has improved every start and is a proper choice in this Cal-bred N1X turf sprint based on his third-place comeback early this month in a similar spot. 'ME pressed the pace, put away two pace rivals who finished nowhere, then tired late. Good try by a five-start gelding whose figures continue to inch upward. - Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race

9:19 DMR 9th DHITJARI (#6, 8-1) drops from N2X to N1X/optional claiming, shortens from a mile to five furlongs on turf, and has run figures fast enough to win at this level. This is his best chance from four starts since he was imported from Europe, and he could get a beneficial trip positioned midpack behind the abundant speed, and in front of the deep closers. - Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race