DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, August 15, 2021

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.

1:05 SAR 1st SKEPTICAL (#7, 6-1) chased an evens favorite on the lead after rating the break in his turf sprint debut, and he raced on past midstretch in that spot before proving to be no match and tiring; has a dirt pedigree and takes the drop for McPeek, who won with a class-dropping maiden on Friday. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:24 GP 2nd Yep, PHARAOH’S PROPHECY (#1, 6-1) got beat a pole first out, but clearly Maker meant him for grass, and the debut came off; money showed for that first try, and now he adds blinkers while retaining Jaramillo; to forgive may prove divine. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:32 GP 4th Noticeable improvement in the overall performance by QUIET STRENGTH (#5, 5-1) when Plesa sent her long and put her on the grass and gave her first Lasix last time; another move forward makes her a prime consideration among these lower-level mdn.-claiming turf milers. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:03 MTH 7th MID DAY IMAGE (#3, 5-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:06 GP 5th A fairly good July 9 debut from BIG SURPRISE (#10, 6-1) was followed by a sneaky good effort when switched over to the grass 3 weeks later as she was saddled with the tricky rail spot for the higher $35k tag; both those experiences should prove valuable as she returns to the dirt in a wide-open field of 2yo fillies. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:21 SAR 5th CELESTIAL (#9, 6-1) appears to be training well leading up to this career debut while going strongly in company and showing some speed from the gate most recently; half-sister Saratoga debut winner and 2yo champion Caledonia Road debuts for a trainer who has been on a good run with his juvenile first-time starters recently - past year, 2yo, first time starter, dirt, sprint: 7 for 29, 24%, $2.74 ROI. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:05 MTH 9th TAKAFUMI (#6, 5-1) was caught well off some slow fractions in that last race but he came running late to get the show in a deceptively good effort; he was off the board in the sprint three back, his first start off the layoff, but he turned in a hidden late run through the back of the field there before galloping out nicely past the wire. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:11 WO 7th WASAGA (#8, 4-1) worked a bullet five-eighths the other day for a trainer who can have one ready. Among his six winning siblings are stakes-placed Tulio’s Brew ($100K) and Three Ring Circus ($276K). -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:29 SAR 7th TREASON (#8, 6-1) looked good winning his career debut despite being dismissed at a big price; got more respect up here last time but had an impossible trip while caught wide every step and tiring late; can rebound with a better trip this time and might be a much better price. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:33 MTH 10th The Jersey Shore Stakes features a good amount of speed, and the projected pace scenario should favor INDIAN LAKE (#6, 6-1), who has shown an excellent late kick in his sprint tries. He last sprinted on the main track three back, when 2nd at Pimlico, and that was a very good effort considering the pace scenario favored the speed-types; this sprint promises to present a much different set up for him and he can pull off the upset if the race flow develops as expected. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:22 GP 9th Five straight defeats since QUENANE (#7, 5-1) visited the winner’s circle during the championship meet don’t necessarily mean the grizzled 7yo veteran has forgotten how to win; look at the rugged company he’s been keeping in these upper ranks of locals, especially those last two; a clean forward trip from his open-air outside box can reverse the fortunes in what clearly is another tough ask. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:51 WO 10th GOTTOKNOWRIGHTNOW (#5, 10-1) faded after participating in a speed duel last time in a $15K route on the main course. He’s cutting back from 1 1/16 miles to seveneighths, and could take some catching as a longshot. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:00 DMR 3rd Five furlongs may be shorter than she prefers, but GIDGETTA (#2, 5-1) gets the call to win this filly-mare N2X from off the pace. She was in tough finishing sixth in a G3 last out; her runner-up finish two back at this N2X level would probably be enough although that was six furlongs at Santa Anita, which is entirely different than five furlongs at DMR. Despite the challenge, GIDGETTA gets the nod. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:13 SAR 10th KUBIE SNACKS (#4, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:00 DMR 5th The juvenile Tapit filly HEMMERLE (#5, 8-1), sibling to multiple stakes-winning War Front filly Dogtag, makes her debut at a mile on turf. It is tough to win a route first out, but trainer Richard Mandella has won with similar, and her rivals might not be that tough. “Live” first out. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

9:00 DMR 9th Runner-up last out at this N3L starter allowance level, SEEKING REFUGE (#6, 10-1) returns from a short freshening as the one to beat. His latest effort was flattered when the third-place finisher won next out; the last time ‘REFUGE raced at Del Mar he won by a half-length. Logical choice from off the pace. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets