DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, July 26, 2020

With most other North American sports being shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, we hope the sport of horse racing can entertain you during these trying times. 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.

1:00 WO 1st FOUR ACES HIGH (#2, 9-2) comes off a gate-to-wire maiden score going threequarters on the main turf. His speed could be just as effective in this five-furlong NW2 dash on the inner course. -Ron Gierkink

2:20 SAR 3rd RECKLESS SPIRIT (#2, 10-1) faced a couple of these same rivals in his NY debut last time and acquitted himself well in that spot while gaining contention in the stretch before having to alter to the inside late; looks like a difficult horse to ride so the experience Saez gained last time could be a positive. -Mike Beer

2:34 GP 6th Despite what her overall ‘20 stats might suggest, Sarah Nagle tends to send out price threats without advance notice, as evidenced by the last-out score by DREAMIN OF SEVILLE (#2, 15-1) at a $35 mutuel; inside draw and another savvy ride by Camacho makes this late bloomer a win-back candidate, even on this substantial class raise. -Marty McGee

2:35 MTH 5th EVIL MONKEY (#3, 8-1) didn’t break well in her first start off the layoff but he seemed to have some run in the back of the field, perhaps indicating he had more to show there; moves into a statebred allowance sprint and he does have back Beyers that are good enough to win this. -Kenny Peck

4:00 MTH 8th SUZ (#8, 4-1) is widest but she may also be quickest out of the gate, and that’s an edge given the expected race flow; has license to steal this if able to get clear without much pressure and then back down the fractions. -Kenny Peck

4:04 SAR 6th LOGIC N REASON (#3, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).

4:05 LS 1st FASHION ISLAND (#2, 3-1) was just edged for this price last out and might be sitting on a peak effort in the third start of her form cycle. She also draws a useful post. -Mary Rampellini

4:35 LS 2nd UNAPOLOGETICALLY (#3, 4-1) makes a meaningful class move.

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4:48 GP 10th Claimed out of 4 of her last 5 starts, LOOKINLIKEAQUEEN (#9, 7-2) clearly is a hot commodity on the SoFla circuit; now it’s Sweezey’s turn to see if he can get the filly back to a winner’s circle last visited during the championship meet; another live for Camacho. -Marty McGee

4:55 WO 8th DATA BOY (#2, 6-1) and SUNDANCE HIT, two 4yo sons of 10% turf sire Data Link, are both eligible to take to the grass because they have some turf breeding in their immediate family. -Ron Gierkink

5:00 DMR 1st Based on his sharp runner-up comeback in a turf sprint stakes, BAJA SUR (3, 4-1) gets the call to win this five-pack turf sprint allowance. A multiple stakes winner who typically improves second start following a layoff, BAJA SUR has tactical speed, and a finishing kick. The comeback race in which he finished second was somewhat validated when the third-place finisher returned to win a minor stakes race at Pleasanton. -Brad Free

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5:04 MTH 10th FAREWELL TIME (#5, 5-1) had little chance to last when in against better on the grass in his latest but he’s a legit threat to wire this field if he’s able to run to his best Beyers, which seems plausible if he’s able to clear the field in the opening stages; needs to shake off BRIMSTONE easily enough in the opening stages. -Kenny Peck

5:05 LS 3rd MAJOR BROWN (#1A, 4-1) ran a strong race on the cutback from two turns to one last time and might be sitting on a peak race in his third out since May. -Mary Rampellini

5:14 SAR 8th SUMMER KID (#7, 8-1) debuted in a strongly run race at Gulfstream going a mile and was in contention all the way down to deep stretch after chasing wide, then returned from the layoff with a much-improved effort to dominate maidens with a solid figure; bred to handle more distance for a trainer who has found the right horses to ship up here over the past few years. -Mike Beer

5:27 WO 9th SAV (#4, 5-1) tracked stakes winner Sister Peacock all the way when second in her comeback, and that rapid rival came back to finish a close fifth in the G2 Royal North. She should be tough with that tightener under her girth. -Ron Gierkink

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5:30 DMR 2nd GO FOR A RIDE (#3, 5-1) was kayoed by a hot pace last out; he finished fifth in a race dominated by late-runners. His pace rival Abusive Gary already came back to win his next start, now ‘RIDE catches a route field without true speed. In light with a 10-pound apprentice, he can win this $16k claiming N2L with a front-running or pace-pressing trip. The splits should be relatively soft. -Brad Free

7:00 DMR 5th FIRST EMPRESS (#1, 3-1) returns from a three-month freshening, and returns to California, while dropping in class after misfiring in an Oaklawn Park race that produced a pair of next-out winners. The filly’s third-place finish two starts back, albeit on a surface labelled “good,” would be fast enough. -Brad Free

8:00 DMR 7th Off a last-place finish in a turf route, POSTERIZE (#4, 8-1) might be a tough read in this $32k claiming dirt sprint. Or, not. He wired similar two starts back with the same pattern; in his start prior to the win he finished last in a turf route. Same pattern this time. POSTERIZE is quick enough to press the pace outside the speedster on the rail, and if he runs back to his June 20 win at Santa Anita can handle this group with an upfront trip. -Brad Free

8:30 DMR 8th NEPTUNE’S STORM (#6, 6-1) is third off the layoff with room still to improve this season and absolutely should dictate the pace of the Eddie Read. – Marcus Hersh

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