DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, Aug. 30, 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.

12:45 CNL 2nd VALIANT HONOR (#6, 9-2) has not yet had the chance to run her best race this summer, dueling early in both of her starts and fading back to fourth; in April, she got the lead to herself in a claiming race at Gulfstream and kicked clear by 3 1/4 lengths with a 60 Beyer; there's only so much pace projected in this one, which could be an opportunity for her to get a more comfortable trip. - Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race

1:00 WO 1st GREENWICH PIKE (#2, 9-2) has been coming up short in longer turf events and could run big on the turnback to five-eighths in her second try off the Gittens claim, a successful angle. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

1:55 KD 1st Off video workouts I really liked GREAT GRENZEN (#13, 10-1) going into her debut - she just didn't show a lot, though not hapless. Now, looking at pedigree, she's much more likely to turf than dirt, and gets her grass chance now with the useful Ellis start behind her. Likely able to draw in as the first AE. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

2:31 KD 2nd DAD'S TWO SENSE (#7, 6-1) looks the part of a mile-and-a-half horse, and probably the thing to do is draw a line through her mile-and-a-half race two starts ago - she didn't really run at all, and her most recent start seems more representative. Held up behind a slow pace, she made a decent move past the 3f pole, then showed her limitations / why this longer trip should suit, failing to really quicken while finishing evenly if decently. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

2:40 GP 5th IMAGE (#3, 5-1) has improved his Beyer in every start so who is to say what his short term ceiling is. Yes, he only beat three foes last out but it was his first start on the grass. He is bred to like the green with his 311 turf Tommy but absolute adore a short sprint with his monster 415 distance Tommy. There is plenty of pace in this race and we bet that team Jones will have this guy in a nice stalking spot. Oh, don't forget about a great price. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

2:49 MTH 5th BIG Z OG (#6, 10-1) has some solid back turf/sprint figures and he has a decent late kick, which should come in handy against this line-up, which has no shortage of early zip; he's been away since mid-June but he's run some of his best races off this type of intermediate break and he should be a square price. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

3:10 CBY 3rd EXTREMELY PROBABLE (#1, 9-2) is by a 7% debut sire (all sire stats are for 2YO's only). His dam went 31-4-9-5 and earned 167K. Of 6 sibs to race, 5 won and all 5 beat winners (37K, 130K, 285K, 45K, and 13K). Works are well spaced and we bet this horse is a runner. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

3:15 GP 6th EVANORA (#5, 5-1) is in possession of the double trouble angle where as a horse is denied a clean trip in back to back starts. On top of that, she drops in class and cuts back a half furlong to her best distance. Musical jocks continue but that is fine with us as Husbands is 18% for this barn. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

3:26 SAR 5th HARLOW DRIVE (#11, 8-1) was entered to debut in a tougher MSW field early in the meet before being scratched at the gate; trainer does strong work with juvenile first-time starters, and this filly's second dam is the excellent NY-bred sprinter Quezon (seven career wins, five stakes wins, 97 Beyer top). - Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race

3:49 WO 6th REGAL MOMENT (#9, 5-1) is riding the wave of a three-race winning streak dating back to the fall and has been pointed towards this lucrative yearling sales stakes by Simon. She earned a pair of 80 Beyers in her last two outings on different surfaces and should take some beating with Aebly back aboard. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

4:48 KD 6th Quite liked MONSTER COOKIE's (#5, 10-1) debut - no idea what happened second time out, but he was really bad. The Colonial turf run - might have liked to see a little more, but given the trouble he found, and the very late stretch run, I think he could finally move forward off his first start. Been given plenty of time between starts presumably pointed to this longer turf sprint since his last out. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

5:04 GP 9th SHEILA MAGIC (#7, 6-1) has broken last in both starts to date. Added half furlong helps. This filly did make a middle move in her last start when second at 7/2. She gets in light again and finds a great spot. Outside of our top pick, we really don't like anyone else in this race so why not a first time starter at a price? - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

5:29 WO 9th WILLING GUEST (#8, 12-1) awaited room early in the stretch before landing on the edges behind a host of her current rivals in an auction maiden special Aug. 1. She's adding blinkers for the one-furlong stretch-out to six and a half in this lucrative yearling sales stakes and could prevail with money rider Hernandez back riding for Casse, a potent combo. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

5:38 CBY 7th SOCAL RED (#4, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race

6:41 KD 9th NATIVE RUNNER (#2, 12-1) keep in mind is just a 4yo - he still has room to improve, and if the Green River Island last out at Ellis is a guide, he's improving. Barn change over the winter and gelded after last year's campaign. His CD comeback run considerably better than it might look on paper, and he ran very, very well last out at Ellis, showing improved positional pace. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

7:41 DMR 6th A trio of 8yos top this $32k claim tag; late-running dropper GREGORY'S PRIDE (#8, 8-1) gets the call to win from off the pace in a race that sets up for his style. His fourth-place finish last out was flattered when the one-two finishers returned to win their next start. Slightly easier rivals this time for 'PRIDE, who can rally for the win. - Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race

8:43 DMR 8th This turf mile for Cal-bred maiden fillies and mares is a good spot to take a shot at a price. The fifth-place debut by sprint-to-route PLATINUM GROOVE (#5, 6-1) was better than it looks; she ran like she will appreciate two turns. 'GROOVE was off slowly, raced near the back, rallied inside, took up while blocked on the rail in the stretch, then finished evenly once clear. It was a good schooling run in a race won by her Jeff Mullins-trained stablemate. With a debut pep under her belt, stretching out in distance, 'GROOVE can mow them down. - Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race

9:15 DMR 9th A deep field entered this allowance dirt mile. The call is three-time Chilean Group 1 winner THE GOAT (#5, 6-1), dropping in class for his third U.S. start. His first two were okay. He set the pace and finished fourth in a G3 sprint, then uncorked an early move in the G2 San Diego, battled to the eighth pole, then tired to fourth. Not bad. Now he meets easier, worked well since raced, and should produce the best race of his U.S. career, third start back. - Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race