DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, July 5, 2026
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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.
2:05 WO 3rd CHERVONARUTA (#2, 9-2) placed in two of her three inner turf routes last summer before running hot and cold on the Tapeta up until this spring. This third start off the sidelines could be a peak one for her in this 7 1/2-furlong inner turf tilt in her first try under the capable Hoyte. – Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
2:22 SAR 3rd KYLE'S MOM (#3, 9-2) has won each of her last three starts in the claiming ranks, all three going this distance; tactical filly easily handled the in-form Coquito (had won her prior two starts, and has won twice more since) when last at this level in March; fresh off the bench stepping back down. – Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
2:34 MTH 4th TIME TO GROOVE (#8, 8-1) is out of a dam who won her own debut and went on to win a couple of statebred stakes races and this colt is a full brother to Cairo Surprise, who has won four straight this year, including the John J Reilly Stakes at this track in distance, with an 89 Beyer; barn excels with debuting 2-year-olds in dirt sprints (42% since 2021). – Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
2:35 GP 5th CANDY ROAD (#6, 20-1) was a step slow off the layoff but still managed the show dough. His last race was a tad better and now he puts three races together. There is a ton of speed in this race and we know this guy wants to pass runners. – Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
4:38 SAR 7th LIBERTY'S SECRET (#3, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race
4:45 GP 9th HOPE TOWN GIRL (#8, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race
5:21 LRC 4th Five and one-half furlongs might be a stretch for EIELSON (#10, 5-1), but the nighttime specialist is the speed of the field and the choice to lead gate to wire. He finished second in four straight 1,000-yard races at Los Alamitos, perhaps he can wire this $6.2k claiming N2L. If he falters again, late-runner DO IT FOR DAVE is the likely beneficiary. – Brad Free | Get PPs for this race
5:46 SAR 9th COMPLEX AGENDA (#2, 12-1) raced off race-long pace pressure and gamely lasted to share the win with a perfectly-ridden favorite in the maiden victory late last year; has improved in his first two starts as a 4yo while having to deal with pace pressure both times; interesting stretching out, as he might not have to work as hard early. – Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
6:26 WO 11th TALBOT'S RIPLYN (#2, 6-1) benefited from an inside bias until the stretch when third off a long layoff in a non-two allowance May 30. She's trying a new surface and doesn't have a quality turf pedigree, but it might not matter with the way she's been working on the Tapeta. – Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race