DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, March 17, 2024
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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.
1:10 GP 1st CONDORA (#7, 8-1) showed some zip in her debut and then spit the bit but that isn't anything we haven't seen before with a first time starter. That race did come back key when 2 of 9 returned to win with figs of 50 and 38. Lone sib is 2-1-1-0 and earned 53K. This barn is 17% when returning off this type of layoff, 40% with second time maiden starters, and 28% with first Lasix. – Scott Ehlers
2:42 OP 3rd HOLDING PATTERN (#3, 4-1) was third at this level and distance last out and as such is a logical choice back. – Mary Rampellini
3:09 GP 5th MY ROYAL VOW (#1, 15-1) has only tried the grass once but it was her best effort to date and she was facing 10 foes that day at Aqueduct (three back). We thought both of her return tries were encouraging. Her last race came back key when 2 of 3 returned to win with figs of 65 and 55. This barn is 25% synth to turf and they show a flat bet profit on the grass. – Scott Ehlers
4:00 AQU 6th CHARLIE FIVE O (#2, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).
4:38 GP 8th ROSEBUD'S HOPE (#2, 15-1) ran evenly off the layoff and that was while shipping in from Woodbine. On top of that, this mare was fractious in the gate. Connections find a good spot and this 9YO mare just has to run better today. She draws fine and keeps Zayas.
5:02 AQU 8th WILD MAGIC (#11, 20-1) had a tough trip for a first-time starter when splitting the field in the muddy debut; wheeled back quickly for the second start and got caught contesting the pace between the two favorites going a mile before giving way readily; cuts back with Lasix and blinkers on. – Mike Beer
5:55 OP 9th ALICIT INTENTION (#4, 8-1) was a promising third in her debut and earned a solid Beyer Speed Figure. – Mary Rampellini
8:08 SA 9th The final race of the week is a good spot to take a shot with potential upsetter MIDNIGHT JOSTAR (#6, 4-1). He needed a prep race last out; he split the field in a turf mile that was his first start in nine months. He actually ran okay, and now stretches to the mile and one-quarter distance of his N1X win here a year ago. Entered for optional $50k claim tag, 'JOSTAR is likely to improve second start back. – Brad Free