DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, December 29, 2024

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.

12:20 GP 1st PASSIONATE CRY (#7, 10-1) was stuck in the 10 hole in his debut and if that wasn't tough enough he was going two turns. He ran evenly for six furlongs and then called it a day. Two of four sibs beat winners. This colt draws better and goes for a barn that is 31% with their maiden second time starters. Alvarado should be a good fit for this 3YO. – Scott Ehlers

2:36 AQU 6th ENIGMATIC (#4, 9-2) was defeated as the favorite last time while trying hard to rate over a distance that plays a bit long for her; she is not always easy to settle but she owns dangerous speed and might be able to control from the outset here as she cuts back to a mile. – Mike Beer

3:00 SA 1st Second-time starter SKATINGTHROUGHLIFE (#5, 8-1) is likely to improve off her better-than-looked fifth-place debut; she can upset this maiden turf sprint. Her debut was solid. She raced wide, finished well and galloped out willingly after the wire. Tab for an improved effort second time out. – Brad Free

3:35 AQU 8th TABEGUACHE (#11, 5-1) gave away early position when third behind LAW PROFESSOR going this distance two back, though he was determined in the stretch that day while holding his ground through the fastest fractions of the race; rated early and finished up well once again to prevail going a mile last time; will need to work out a trip from the outside post but he might be in the best form of his career right now, and he can get this far. – Mike Beer

3:50 OP 6th POPPYLAND (#4, 5-1) is well-versed at the mile and a sixteenth trip and is a half-sister to a runner who was multiple Grade 3-placed routing in Ice Orchid ($539K). – Mary Rampellini

4:50 GP 10th STROKE OF MIDNIGHT (#5, 20-1) should offer some value. He is capable of a good effort and just ran a Beyer top. Form cycle hints at better. Win rider stays put and this horse has won on the grass before. – Scott Ehlers

5:04 SA 5th RASCALITY (#8, 4-1) and QUEEN MAXIMA are the choices in this filly-mare allowance turf sprint. The call is comeback dropper RASCALITY, who posted a series of bullet workouts for her first start since finishing ninth in a G2 turf mile in July. RASCALITY runs well fresh, won a maiden race by four lengths here last winter making her first start in five months; she finished second in a G3 turf sprint last spring while returning from a two-month break. The point is, she runs well fresh and likes the SA turf. She is working like she will fire first start back. – Brad Free |

5:14 OP 9th ADEERA (#1, 4-1) shakes Good Cheer in the Year's End. The frequent rival became a Grade 2 winner after their most recent meeting, taking the Golden Rod at CD with a Beyer Speed Figure of 86. ADEERA is bred to be a runner as a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Newgate and Grade 2 winner Denim and Pearls. – Mary Rampellini