DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, August 14, 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.

1:11 MTH 3rd WELL SHES HANDSOME (#5, 8-1) comes out of three straight dirt races where a plethora of speed set things up for the closers (note the "C" symbols in DRF pp's) and she now lands in a field that's a little short on early foot, an ideal situation for pace handicappers; has license to steal this if she can shake loose in the opening stages. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:31 WO 2nd FORESTER'S TURN (#6, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:37 MTH 4th BRAMBLE BLAZE (#3, 8-1) is out of an unraced dam but Regal Rose has produced four multiple winners, including a pair of multiple stakes winners in Bramble Queen and Bramble Bay, and those runners earned their 18 combined wins exclusively on the turf; this colt has some decent works and meets a seemingly average field for his debut. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:39 SAR 2nd FOREVER DIXIE (#9, 8-1) debuted sprinting on dirt, where she failed to break sharply from the gate and then wound up chasing the talented Naughty Girl (returned to win the Grade 3 Adirondack last weekend) around the track before just missing third; bred to get better with distance and with this surface switch. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:43 LRL 3rd LUNAR ICE (#3, 8-1) stalked three wide and in between, dropped inside and finished evenly along the rail in turf debut. Dilodovico barn successfully utilized the "blinkers on" and "sprint to turf route" combo with maiden winner Gogo Chanel (11-1 odds) on June 18. By Travers winner Keen Ice, she has the pedigree and body type to appreciate stretching out. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:55 GP 4th WHAT A CORKER (#4, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marty McGee). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:13 LRL 4th MARATHONER (#5, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Dan Illman). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:33 MTH 6th ET'S MAGIC MAN (#3, 10-1) didn't run badly at all in his turf/route debut last time out, considering he was against the race flow and he made a mid-race move there; has enough speed to at least stay close, no small consideration given the lack of a clear-cut pace scenario in this field. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:43 LRL 5th It was tough for closers to make up ground on Aug. 5, but PHRA PHROM (#4, 8-1) rallied from last along the rail to finish behind the two favorites in a $45,000 claimer. He's hit the board in his last two starts, appears to be rounding into form, and should appreciate today's extra furlong. Rodriguez lands here instead of Espresso Lungo. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:49 SAR 4th EBBEN (#6, 6-1) was impressive winning over this distance at Keeneland while angling to the inside late back in April, then faced a much tougher field in his next start and was no match; drops slightly off the claim for Amoss while cutting back to sprint; tactical colt has won three of his last four non-stakes starts over seven furlongs on fast dirt. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:00 GP 6th Been a terrific last few weeks for Fausto, who began this week having won with 6 of his last 11 Gulf starters, niiiice; here's OTUMBA (#6, 9-2) giving the trainer a solid chance to add to that hot streak when returning to the main track on a class drop of note; Constitution filly had little impact in her 7/9 return, but this seems a far lighter spot, and besides, she may've needed one; relying on her to kick off this late pick-5 (R6-10). -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:55 SAR 6th ROYAL POPPY (#5, 15-1) looked quick breezing 10-flat before going for $170k in April, and she has continued to train forwardly since, including that nice work on 8/6 when getting the better of a mate; Handal has upped his game with first-time starters over the past year or so. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:55 GP 4th WHAT A CORKER (#4, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marty McGee). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:08 GP 8th Give FIRST GOLD (#2, 12-1) a pass for that subpar 7/23 return and look back on that 5/21 runner-up try vs. these same type of bottom-rung N2L types, and she might even rate a big chance in this uninspiring group, even with that 1-for-17 slate she's carrying around; sneaky ground-saving trip under Camacho perhaps nets a surprise; seems the right kind of race to take a flyer. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:15 LRL 8th SASSY BABE (#12, 12-1) utilized her good tactical speed to get forward from the inside post, eased outside the pacesetter on the turn, and wore that one down to score 17 days ago. She took a big step forward in her second start following a 171-day break, and can get close to the lead once again. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:25 CBY 5th ROSEHILL ROAD (#9, 8-1) lost by a nose and a head in two of her last four starts so she is due some better luck. She goes second out for new barn and draws more outside today. She does have some speed but can stalk a bit. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:01 LAD 3rd AWESOME ARCH (#5, 10-1) is by a 6% debut sire. Her dam went 6-0-1-0 and earned 3K. All 3 sibs beat winners. Works are longer and we bet this filly was working somewhere before coming here. Vergas gets a leg up and is 29% for this barn. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:18 WO 9th STREGA (#1, 6-1) has worked nicely since a dull turf try on the inner course June 24, and could win this second leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara at a square price. Hernandez picks up the mount and he combined with KA to capture the Woodbine Oaks with the brilliant Moira. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:38 LAD 4th BACKGATE BELLE (#10, 10-1) ran a Beyer top last out even though it was only her second start on the grass. Now she gets back to the dirt and that is a 67% move for this barn (2 for 3). The only knock is this outside post going this distance. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:40 CBY 7th GIGGLEBOX (#8, 12-1) is by a 13% debut sire and a 19% debut turf sire. Her dam went 3-0-1-0 and banked 6K (2-0-1-0 on the turf). Two of four sibs won. One of three sibs won on the grass with the best a multiple winner of 368K (won turf debut). We will roll the dice on this first time starter that may love the green all at a price. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:00 HST 3rd ACE DEUCE (#4, 4-1) did not get beat by much when facing tougher in his latest, came back with two solid interim works, and is reunited with Reyes who was aboard when he easily handled MUSTACHIO three back and also when he was the runner-up for the price two back. -Randy Goulding | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:22 LAD 6th CYPRIANO (#1, 6-1) is the value. This race came up tough and might be worth remembering. As for this gelding, his most recent was better and now he goes second out for new barn and team Broberg is having a great meet. We think this guy gets over looked on the tote today. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:23 WO 11th NASHTRICK (#2, 8-1) has been pointed to this seven-furlong N1X on the main course since a belated fourth around two turns on the inner turf July 3. He has some speed to chase and has trained forwardly. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:30 HST 4th A TREE OF LIFE (#6, 5-1) might be worth a stab at what should be a decent price. He was not wearing blinkers when he romped by over 12 lengths in a bottom level maiden race and could turn things around with the shades coming off following a couple of disappointing efforts in two tries with winners. -Randy Goulding | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:49 LAD 7th JOHNNYSJOURNEY (#8, 5-1) just ran a turf Beyer top and now goes third off the layoff. Isn't this guy a new turf horse even though he rarely tries it? He did not get a clean trip last out yet still ran a solid 2nd at 16-1. Last chance for a good price? -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets