DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, July 16, 2023

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.

12:25 LRL 1st IRISH LACE (#8, 12-1) broke a beat slow from the rail last month, then was taken in hand to save ground in midpack. She gave an even finish inside, then showed some interest on the gallop-out. Raced out of conditions against "three-life" claimers two and three back, so this will be her first two-turn turf try against "non-two" sellers. Distance is a question mark. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

12:40 MTH 1st RAINBOW TROUT (#2, 7-2) benefitted from a closer-friendly race flow when 2nd in her first start off the short rest but she should be in a similar situation here, as there's enough speed to set up a closer; eligible to make the last run given a clean trip. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

12:50 GP 1st DOWN IN THE VALLEY is interesting for his company line. The winner he hooked was to have run back Saturday in the Sanford at Saratoga. DOWN IN THE VALLEY is also appealing as a February foal with racing experience. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

12:58 LRL 2nd DATS DATS DATS (#6, 12-1) is out of juvenile debut winner Asian's Way from the family of Grade 1-placed dirt sprinter Social Probation. Robb barn scored with debut winner Tulip Lil (3-1 odds) at Pimlico on 5/26. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:18 GP 2nd DAMASO (#3, 6-1) faces other speed in this spot, but might prove to be the quickest of the lot. She also has reason to move forward in her second start since April. COCO could get the right setup if a few of these challenge top choice on the front end. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:36 WO 2nd THREEFIFTYSEVEN (#1, 8-1) just missed when switching from Tapeta to a main turf sprint in his second start off the sidelines. Husbands replaces the sidelined Kimura on the 5yo, who should have a lovely inside stalking trip. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:30 LRL 5th SUMMER ODDS (#10, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Dan Illman). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:36 MTH 5th MORETHANACONQUEROR (#1, 15-1) was off slowly in his seasonal debut and that cost him, as his tactical speed is a big edge for him, but he did show deceptive late foot in that race, and he can be expected to improve today given a clean start from the hedge; the lack of speed in this field may mean he's close-up from the start, if, of course, he gets away with the field. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:35 MTH 7th SEDONA ROCKS (#6, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:57 LRL 8th WINKED (#8, 10-1) ran well on dirt two starts back at Pimlico, especially considering it was her first start following a 156-day layoff. Took a bump at the start, tracked outside, made an early three-wide bid to the lead turning into the stretch, then tired in the final furlong. That race produced two next-out winners including Haleigh B, who came back to take a state-sired allowance with an 80 Beyer. She's won thrice before going turf to dirt and can sit another good tracking trip here. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:30 LAD 1st INFINITESIMAL (#3, 6-1) tried the grass for the first time in his return try and actually ran OK. We don't mind the cut back to an elongated sprint. This gelding showed sprint ability three back at FG and breaking last from the rail did not help matters. Race flow is more than fair and the price could be decent. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:34 GP 9th BALTIC MULE (#9, 8-1) moves to dirt for the first time and adds a set of blinkers. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:35 MTH 9th FREEDOM ROAD (#2, 8-1) races on the turf for the first time but his dam, Lovable Lady, won on this surface, and he's an upgrade candidate after trying to close in paceless races in each of his last two; may be able to make the last run in the My Frenchman, which features no shortage of speed. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:40 SAR 7th PROVE WORTHY (#1, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:15 SAR 8th SHOOTERS SHOOT (#4, 8-1) was first back from an extended layoff last time going a mile, and he took a serious run at that race off the turn to make a short lead, only to flatten out late in a race that came back fast (100 Beyer for the winner); don't think he is overmatched in this spot as he turns back with some speed, and might be a lot fitter for this race. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:52 CBY 7th REEF'S DESTINY (#4, 5-1) was 8-0-0-0 on a wet track before his most recent when he won at 7-1. Two of his three starts before that were better and the one that wasn't he still got a 72 Beyer versus starter foes at Oaklawn. What we are saying is that this guy is feeling good right now and not even an off track could slow him down. Of course, connections find a spot where this guy can't be claimed. Even better is that said connections want this 6 1/2 furlongs right back. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:54 LAD 4th RAUL'S ENCANTO (#1, 12-1) broke on top in his last two starts and that certainly helped him. He adds a full furlong today and that actually helps his front end chances. Win rider tags along and is a good fit for this runner. For a full field, there isn't that much speed in here but make no mistake in that it isn't pace-less either. Too bad we won't get anywhere near 12-1 morning line. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:00 WO 10th MAAKWA (#1, 8-1) broke inward before rushing up to set quick fractions and then faded to seventh in a recent seven-furlong N1X. He's adding blinkers for this six-furlong tilt and may have found a field that he can wire. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:21 SAR 10th SHE'S A NINE (#8, 5-1) got bet in her debut but only showed brief speed over that sloppy track before fading; was sent on a fast pace going seven in her second start and was no match for the favored winner; drops with speed for Atras - MSW to maiden claiming drop, dirt, sprint: 5 for his last 16, 31%, $2.03 ROI. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets