DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, August 2, 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.

12:55 GP 2nd SHEILA MAGIC (#1, 6-1) broke last in her debut going five panels and that is tough to overcome in that spot. Connections adds blinkers and get a weight break and we like that combination. Team Braddy are 19% with their second time maidens. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

1:10 SAR 1st SILLY SEASON (#8, 7-2) raced greenly in the early stages after hitting the gate, then looked uncomfortable when caught in some traffic on the backstretch, but she still finished gamely to just miss in her lone 2yo start late last year; broke from the far outside and was never in position to be effective when finishing behind a few of these same rivals off the layoff; can easily do better. - Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race

1:30 WO 2nd SPLIT STRIKE (#2, 7-2) used his tactical speed to hit the board in all three of his appearances at the meet, ending up third most recently in a five-furlong inner turf dash at this level. His only rival with early foot is Real Savvy and he can put that one away before scoring with the rail way out in the speed-friendly lane 4. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

2:18 SAR 3rd BURNINHUNKOFLOVE (#1, 5-1) was steadied back to last in a race that was dominated on the lead here last month; capable of getting forward position from the inside with a better start; goes off the claim again, this time for a barn that has won with three of its first four starters at the meet - and all of those winners were first off the claim. - Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race

2:24 MTH 4th WAITIN'ONASUNNYDAY (#1, 7-2) was no threat to the even-money favorite in that first start against winners but he was game to save the place, and the resulting Beyer fits very well right back in this sprint; this newfound rating gear, that he first showed in that maiden score two back, has served him well, and it should come in handy today given the projected race flow. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

2:39 WO 4th HOWSITGOINOWEN (#5, 9-2) set quick fractions on a clear lead before tiring late to second in a recent five-furlong inner turf experiment. Given the quality of his maiden special, the move up from OS/$40K company isn't much of a concern with Civaci back riding for Sprenger. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

3:12 WO 5th FOG D'ORO (#2, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Get Past Performances for this race

3:26 SAR 5th MO KREESA (#8, 12-1) consistently runs races that make him competitive in a field like this one, where he drops subtly in class; capable of racing forward if the pace doesn't develop, and there does not appear to be a ton of speed in this field. - Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race

3:30 CNL 7th CALL ME MICKY J. (#7, 7-2) has been a favorite in the Salzman stable since before his debut, and he immediately delivered to win an early maiden special weight at Laurel in May; he can be forgiven for a distant finish in the $225,000 Bashford Manor at Churchill in June, as his trainer was clearly short on spots and decided to take his shot; he will add blinkers in a softer field and should be able to take advantage. - Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race

3:49 MTH 7th MATTHEW'S TICKET (#6, 4-1) meets winners for the first time coming off a big maiden score at Laurel, easily the best effort of his short career; may be a new horse after the layoff for trainer Phillip Capuano and he has lots of room to improve as he makes only his third career start on the grass. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

4:09 GP 8th REAL GONE (#3, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race

4:28 CNL 9th START TAPPIN (#3, 6-1) earned an impressive 73 Beyer when he switched to turf for his maiden win in June, displaying form that makes him a contender here; he deserves understanding for his first race against winners last month, when Vera entered him in deep waters and he pressed the pace while traveling wide; he never had much of a chance there, but this is an appropriate drop in class and he should be able to make better use of his tactical speed. - Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race

4:54 CBY 6th RAVEN'S QUEST (#1, 6-1) is a new turf horse. She has speed and could find the front end today. This rail draw helps front end plans. What if this mare likes her new barn? A better price than a few of these we would think. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

5:38 CBY 7th TOFFEE (#8, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race

6:04 DMR 3rd NO CAP (#1, 6-1) The consistent NO CAP, in the money 9 of her last 10 starts including four straight at this level, gets the call in a competitive N1X turf sprint for fillies and mares. She has speed for a pressing trip from the rail, and benefits by the distance cutback from longer races at SA to five furlongs on turf at Del Mar. She has been losing her punch late in longer races. - Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race

6:08 CBY 8th ERIKA MARIE (#6, 5-1) is by a 9% debut sire. Her dam went 26-5-4-0 and earned 93K. Lone sibling is 10-4-4-1 and earned 359K. Works are steady and we like Kelsi Harr up. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

7:10 DMR 5th GYPSY TEARS (#4, 12-1) This class-dropping late-runner meets a field with enough speed to set up his closing rally as he drops to $10k after finishing fifth for $25k claiming opening week of the meet. 'TEARS is a two-time winner at DMR, the pace looks fast enough to set it up for a closer even at five and one-half furlongs. - Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race

7:40 DMR 6th REVERA (#2, 5-1) Stakes winner last year as a 2yo drops from a series of stakes, adds Lasix for the first time, and is fast enough to win this allowance turf sprint for 3yo fillies. Her only turf start was a solid fourth in her comeback this May, she faced older fillies and mares last out and finished third in a dirt stake. - Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race