DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, August 2, 2020
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.
12:50 MTH 1st IRISH FIX (#6, 8-1) chased the pace and weakened in her most recent try on the turf but she can rate and make one run, as she did with success last year, and if she can work out that type of trip she should prove tough in this opener; her uncoupled stablemate, Jo Jo’s Candy, figures to help set the table for her. -Kenny Peck
1:00 WO 1st BALLROOMS OF MARS (#1, 8-1) rallied wide from off a fast pace to end up third when going long on the Tapeta for the first time in an improved performance July 12. With more forward progress in this longer Tapeta route, she could break through under Wilson. -Ron Gierkink
1:15 MTH 2nd BRIDGE TO BROOKLYN (#5, 8-1) doesn’t have the Beyers of some of these but she does seem to have the right running style, as the pace should be quick and contested and she has a good closing kick, and is clearly in good form; comes off a visually impressive maiden win, which came on the heels of a deceptively good effort in defeat in her first start off the layoff, suggesting she’s a much improved filly for trainer Chuck Spina. -Kenny Peck
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2:02 GP 5th Assuming he’ll not only run much better than in his latest when on this final notch-drop but also that he’ll loom prominently as the outside speed, TEN MILES HIGH (#10, 6-1) merits a long look in this modest field of bottom-level maiden-claimers assembled for the opening leg of the non-forced-out Rainbow; referring back to a couple of his earlier efforts might embolden a bettor. -Marty McGee
2:34 GP 6th BRASSTOWN (#8, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Marty McGee).
3:39 MTH 7th PASSIONFORTREASURE (#5, 10-1) seemed to be full of run on the turn and in the lane in his latest but he never had any room to run and was not pushed hard once clear; that was a sprint but he ran well enough in his route tries at Tampa to suggest he’s plenty good enough to win at this level, given a clean trip. -Kenny Peck
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4:23 WO 7th TRICKY MAGICIAN (#3, 8-1) is coming off a decent fifth vs. $35K NW3 opposition at Belmont. He ran well on the local lawn in the past without finding the mark and gets Wilson, who won a recent stakes for Casse. -Ron Gierkink
4:41 MTH 9th NOBLE HOPE (#1, 7-2) is easily forgiven for that dull effort in his latest, a race rained off the turf and onto the main track, as he had already proven that he’s a grass horse; that win two back over this course was against non-winners of three lifetime, and he now meets open claimers, but he was much the best there and visually impressive in victory, suggesting he can handle this rise in class. -Kenny Peck
5:12 MTH 10th WILDCAT MERRY (#7, 3-1) lost any and all chance at the start in her first start off the short rest last time but she doesn’t seem to prefer the turf anyway, and she does appear to be the one to beat back on the main track today; versatile enough to lead or rate, and that should give jockey Tomas Mejia some options as he attempts to work out a trip. -Kenny Peck
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5:58 WO 10th WHERE’S THE WIDGET (#7, 6-1) is stretching out to a suitable distance with a pair of sprints under his girth. The classy 13-time winner could wire this field under Husbands. -Ron Gierkink
6:29 WO 11th RED ASTAIRE (#5, 8-1) was blocked in mid-stretch before finishing third in his improved second try off the bench June 26. In a field devoid of speed, he could make all the running in his first try around two turns, in just his second career turf start. -Ron Gierkink
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