DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, December 26, 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.
1:12 TAM 3rd PATRIOT DRIVE (#1, 9-2) should offer some value. He has hit the exacta on the turf in a third of his starts. Current form is especially sharp or at least it was before the medium layoff. We spy four local works and that should be enough. Best of all is a fast pace and the rail draw. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:26 GP 4th Wow, there is no speed in here. SENSEI LAWRENCE (#6, 4-1) ran OK going a mile at Ellis in his second start so maybe he is stronger going longer. Form cycle hints at better. If Leparoux guns then he might find the front end here and that is where an early breather awaits. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:20 LRL 5th PRINCESS KOKACHIN (#3, 5-1) had things her own way when upsetting Hello Beautiful in the Politely. She placed the favorite in tight along the rail, stole away while setting legitimate fractions and scooted on home. Liked the way she finished the race off, however, and seeks her sixth straight win. Trainer Jerry Robb is 8 for the last 14 (57%, $2.88 ROI) with last-out winners returning in non-graded dirt-sprint stakes at Laurel. She is expected to run and gun from the gate. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:43 TAM 6th PAYNE (#2, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:50 LRL 6th AIR TOKEN (#3, 6-1) might turn the tables on WHERESHETOLDMETOGO and YOUNGEST OF FIVE as he turns back to the distance of his Maryland Million Sprint victory. Broke sharp going seven panels in the Bender Memorial, tracked three-wide, moved in tandem with the winner on the turn and stayed on gamely in between. Won't be surprised if he's a bit farther back early portion, but he's won from out of it in the past. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:50 LRL 8th WORKIN ON A DREAM (#9, 6-1) must deal with a rough outside post position with a short run to the first turn, but the gelding is in excellent form and gave a game effort in the Richard W. Small last month. Went right to the lead in that stake, took strong pace pressure from favored Shackqueenking through the middle portion, shrugged that one off and gamely held second. Don't believe he needs the lead to win and might have enough gate speed to work out an outside stalking trip. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:17 TAM 9th IRISH CHALICE (#2, 5-1) is by a 17% debut sire (2YO's only) and a 14% debut turf sire. His dam went 16-6-1-1 and earned 216K (no turf). This is her first foal. This barn is quite good on the grass with turf runners making their debut. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:20 LRL 9th TEQUILA FOG (#7, 5-1) was freshened after facing a solid field of $25,000 claimers at Delaware (the winner returned to finish second for an $80,000 tag with a 75 Beyer, then ran third in an allowance at Parx with a 62). Saved ground in midpack, came under a ride and didn't finish with much pop while in a bit tight on the rail. She's won off layoffs in the past and seems well-entered at this level. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:40 SA 6th EIGHT RINGS (#5, 4-1) is not the same caliber as favorite HOT ROD CHARLIE, but a shortage of pace in this G2 dirt route gives 'RINGS a shot at a front-running upset over a track on which he is 2-for-3 in routes including a career-best fig in autumn. Even with blinkers off, he may be the controlling speed. Long gone? Only if HOT ROD CHARLIE comes up short. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:05 GP 11th EVER CLEAR (#1, 7-2) catches a race with no pace. Inside draw is a plus but more so if connections see what we see....and gun. Blinkers OFF won't change front end try. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets