DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, March 19, 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.

12:18 TAM 1st MY SONG AND MELODY (#5, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race

1:26 LRL 3rd SUPE (#2, 6-1) raced midpack from in between, made a three-wide bid, altered course to the far outside, then made up late ground to place ahead of four of these. The first-place finisher (disqualified and placed third) returned to run second for $30,000 with a 52 Beyer. Expect him to be a bit closer to the pace as he adds blinkers and stretches out in distance for Ness barn that is 5 for the last 11 (45%, $3.15 ROI) moving from sprint to route. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

1:55 LRL 4th Perhaps this distance is a bit sharp for DOWN COLD (#7, 8-1) but he enters in good form after facing two next-out winners (Late Night Larry returned to take a first-level allowance for statebreds at Aqueduct with an 81 Beyer). Tracked outside, advanced to press in between, poked a head in front at the three-eighths and made the rail, then stayed on for second. Likely will need pace help from the back. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

2:00 TAM 4th MORE MUCHO (#8, 5-1) broke poorly in that last try but she moved up quickly in the early stages to get into contention, and she continued well to the wire after making another run on the turn; she was behind BELLA ROMANCE in that sprint but she can turn the tables given a clean getaway. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

2:08 GP 4th A last-out mdn.-breaker isn't always the best option when that horse is in against winners for the first time, but ALWAYS ROYAL (#3, 4-1) sure did step it up in her first start for Team Hess, and moreover, the move over to the Tapeta piques the interest; looking for T-Gaff to coax her into a smooth ground-saving rhythm before moving along again. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race

2:30 TAM 5th GODS GLORY (#2, 8-1) middle moved before flattening out two back and though he was off the board in his first start off the claim that wasn't that bad of an effort, as he was moving well enough through the lane while unable to make an impact on the top finishers; may be the right value play vs. CESAR, who appears to be the one to beat. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

2:43 OP 3rd LEAGUE OF LEGENDS (#7, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Get PPs for this race

2:55 AQU 4th IN TRAFFIC (#3, 6-1) got control off the pace and kept clear to break her maiden on the stretch out two back with a competitive figure; caught a wet track last time and was no match in a race that has already produced four next-out winners; has more upside than most. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

3:21 LRL 7th Other than the wet track, it's hard to excuse PLOT THE DOTS (#1, 6-1) for his last race as he simply didn't run very well. Set a slow pace inside of the winner and found nothing when confronted on the second turn. He does have back races that would make him very competitive against this group and will likely revert to off-pace tactics cutting back to seven-eighths. This distance could be a bit sharp, but it helps that he's done good work around one turn here in the past. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

3:25 TUP 1st CAPITAL HEAT (#4, 8-1) didn't get much play off the long layoff when sent off at 12-1 but still beat half the field home. She adds a full furlong today and that can only help. Her last race came back key when 2 of 6 returned to win with figs of 60 and 65. This mare finished 2nd in her only start at this distance and did so versus 50K maiden claimers at Santa Anita. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

3:33 TAM 7th PURE ELEGANCE (#7, 6-1) drew off impressively and posted a much better than average figure in that win two back, and though she was off the board in her latest that was a two-turn race against much better; expecting a much improved effort off that last try and she should be a decent price. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

3:47 OP 5th TRAFFIC CONTROL (#11, 10-1) can get a clean stalking trip from this outside draw and never has raced for a claiming tag this low. He got the wrong trip last out over a muddy strip he might not have liked and has come back with a couple breezes. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race

3:52 LRL 8th We'll find out more about LIKEABLE (#3, 8-1) as he steps up from a class and pace perspective after taking advantage of speed-friendly Charles Town surface last month. Broke outward a bit from the far outside post, cleared to the lead and set a reasonable pace, then had plenty left in the stretch. We'll see early speed, but must avoid a pace battle with Backinthewoods. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

4:50 OP 7th Trainer Chris Hartman moving an improving horse up in class at 15-1 morning-line odds? Where do I sign up?! GET THROUGH (#9, 15-1) is getting better with every race and plenty of time to recover and take another step forward off the Feb. 12 showing. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race

5:25 TUP 5th CIDSTAYINURLAINE (#8, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race

5:29 SA 5th MARKS HIP (#1, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Michael Hammersly). | Get PPs for this race

5:54 OP 9th We know KANTEX (#6 8-1) ran fire fresh because he won his career debut in Dec. 2021 over the Oaklawn surface. The fact he hasn't raced since means the price ought to be square, and I'll guess he comes back ready for a veteran trainer. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race

6:29 TUP 7th PHOENICIAN GHOST (#3, 12-1) did try better as a 3YO. He tried a tough 6 1/2 furlongs in his return and ran a Beyer top. WE think this guy has some talent. Notice that connections once again find a spot where this guy can't be claimed. He might like today's six furlongs a tad more. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

8:16 GG 8th AUTISM BLUE (#3, 9-2) is quick enough to lead, but may yield that role in the opening furlongs to Luck's Royal Flush on the outside. Autism Blue was second in a race at this level on Feb. 24 after leading in the stretch, but could not hold off a late run from Windribbon who rallied from last. Kevin Radke has been aboard Autism Blue in his last two starts. In both races, Autism Blue led in the stretch, but could not sustain the advantage. Timing the colt's run will be key for Radke. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race

8:46 GG 9th EVENEREVENWORSE (#1, 6-1) is one of three runners in this field returning from a layoff of at least three months, and the seven-time winner has a chance to win his 2023 debut in this conditional $20,000 claimer. Evenerevenworse is quick, but probably not able to keep pace with Fast Per Se early. Evenerevenworse's best chance from an inside post is probably from a stalking position, which the gelding has done in the past. He is trained by Bill McLean, who has had his share of second-place finishes this winter. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race