DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, February 28, 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.

12:47 TAM 2nd DRAKESBORO WILDCAT (#6, 6-1) moved prematurely before weakening in his first try on the turf, two back, and the resulting Beyer wasn’t all that bad; addition of blinkers figures to move him up, particularly if that sharp breeze on February 6th is any indication. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

12:52 LRL 2nd ORDER FOR PORKY (#7, 9-2) takes next logical step up the class ladder after gritty victory last month. Established position from the valuable inside post in that two-turn heat, backed off the pace skirmish to rate in the pocket, seemed outpaced on the second bend and gradually wore down the leaders in the final sixteenth. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

1:19 LRL 3rd It will be interesting to see if this distance is a bit sharp for INTROSPECTION (#7, 7-2), but this mare is in very sharp form after having three-race win streak snapped 24 days ago. Stalked in the three path after breaking from the far outside post, split rivals on the turn and was gaining in the stretch with a solid gallop out. Taken out of the race by a Gorham barn that hits at 18% winners off the claim over the past five years (compared to 13% overall). -Dan Illman| Get PPs for this race

1:20 AQU 1st STRONG POINT (#4, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race

1:37 GP 4th SPILL THE TEA (#1, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marty McGee). | Get PPs for this race

1:44 TAM 4th SARJENALLI (#3, 6-1) didn’t have the cleanest of trips in that last one, when she was in against several of these same rivals, as she lacked racing room at a crucial point; she did close well and then gallop out with interest and she can surprise these with a clean trip, and perhaps a more forward trip. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

1:48 LRL 4th First time for a tag for LADNEEDSAHANDLER (#5, 9-2), who should appreciate the slight class relief after being placed on a hard early chase after eventual odds-on winner Escapability. No match for the two favorites while trying to lean in just a bit in the stretch, but was clear of the rest and can get into a forward early position here. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

2:13 TAM 5th SECLUDE (#2, 10-1) makes his first start against winners but he comes off a sharp maiden score, as he drew off smartly against a seemingly decent field, and he had a pace excuse in his debut; certainly fits here if he can run back to that maiden-breaking figure. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

2:43 TAM 6th LARGE (#6, 4-1) makes his first start off the claim for trainer Jose Delgado, which makes him a threat by default given the barn’s success with such runners; he also has appeal as an upgrade candidate off his latest, as he had little chance to close against that two-speed exacta. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

3:10 GP 7th SAINT LARNED (#9, 8-1) looks as good as any, especially given how he’s liable to trip out nicely behind an abundance of speed; note the 10-for-24 record compiled last year by the trainer who takes over; outer box can help Jaramillo get him into a smooth early rhythm. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race

3:25 AQU 5th ELEGANT ZIP (#4, 8-1) dropped to pick up a long-overdue win off the layoff but her form was not as bad as it may appear during the losing streak, as she spent a lot of time either facing stakes company (often going longer than she prefers) or on turf; backed that cheaper win up nicely last time to close down a better field and she can pull the right trip here as she looks for three in a row. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

3:31 GP 8th This second division of the MSW turf route (with race 6) looks equally bewildering, but we’ll give the Amerman homebred, ADVANCED PLACEMENT (#6, 8-1), a solid chance when getting first Lasix following a decent pair of outings; improvement is required, obviously, but that seems a distinct possibility at the right kind of price. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race

4:03 SA 2nd BIG WELL (#4, 3-1) can post a mild upset in this Cal-bred maiden-50 dirt mile following a better-than-looked fifth vs. Cal-bred MSWs. He uncorked a rally into and through the far turn, hit heavy traffic in the lane and was forced to alter course, then ran on to finish only a length and a half behind the runner-up. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race

4:25 AQU 7th HONOR UP (#2, 9-2) hasn’t quite been at his best since finishing third in the Grade 1 Carter back in 2019 while enduring more than one layoff; got really good once returning to dirt for Nevin and his most recent start is better than it looks with a bit of trouble in that Commentator; has to be ready off the layoff. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

4:39 OP 6th MARIAH’S PRINCESS (#2, 7-2) seems like a promising sort. She met both winners and stakes rivals for the first time last out and ran a strong second to a quality kind of winner. Before that, she accounted for a maiden special weight in good time, defeating another promising runner. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

4:48 LRL 10th A bit disappointed that FOGGY DREAMS (#4, 6-1) didn’t do much when returned to the circuit, but she was bumped pretty hard at the start and ended up racing three to four wide at the back of the pack. She has races as recently as Jan. 2 that would make her competitive with this group and might get a bit closer to the pace at a projected solid price. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

5:39 SA 5th CAPO MAFIOSO (#5, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Brad Free). | Get PPs for this race

5:48 GP 12th Ending another highly eventful GP week (and February) with the Wilkes filly KEITANY (#11, 8-1), whose two-back wakeup was followed by a change of tactics (and decent late run) on the last day of January; seems as good as any in a deep finale. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race