DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, March 22, 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.
12:52 TAM 2nd CASCABELL QUEEN (#1, 9-2) could prove to be the main speed from the rail, no small edge in a race that’s lacking a clear-cut pace scenario; she was behind a couple of these same runners in that last try but she was widest of 10 that day and can turn the tables today if she’s able to shake loose with relative ease given the improved draw. -Kenny Peck
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1:00 GP 1st Looking for LONDON WEREWOLF (#7, 6-1) to threaten to finally win again, having amassed that 1-for-18 mark while frequently running 2nd or 3rd; can wait just behind BELLEVILLE SPRING before moving along. -Marty McGee
1:19 TAM 3rd DIAMOND NEWS (#2, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck).
1:48 TAM 4th CREDIT CYCLE (#5, 4-1) rises in class but gets more ground and that figures to work to his advantage, as he’ll once again be looking to make the last run; if WELD and GETTININTOMISCHIEF were to get caught up in an early duel that would certainly be an edge for this gelding, and the other closers, and he will be tough if able to run back to that last effort and figure. -Kenny Peck
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2:50 TAM 6th MEILLEUR (#1, 5-2) ran a solid race in defeat when last seen despite trying a distance that was likely shorter than he prefers; far back in his prior try but a premature move cost him and he ran very well when second three back in a race that didn’t feature a great deal of speed. -Kenny Peck
3:26 OP 3rd MONDAY CONFESSION (#10, 10-1) is an eight-time winner facing some lessexperienced rivals. -Mary Rampellini
3:40 GP 6th RISING BELLA (#1, 7-2) That wasn’t a bad effort by Rising Bella behind Queen of God on Presidents Day, especially in light of how ‘Queen wheeled back to win the Bourbonette last weekend at Turfway; ground-saving ride under Rosario makes her the obvious one to beat here. -Marty McGee
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3:51 TAM 8th K J’S CAFFE (#7, 5-1) faded in her debut when sent 5 1/2 furlongs but with this extra ground she can be expected to be on or near the lead in this relatively paceless finale; could be tough to reel in if she’s able to get clear in the opening stages. -Kenny Peck
4:02 SA 2nd INDYPENDENT DEPUTY (#6, 5-2) returns to the class level at which she was claimed in fall. The 8-for-41 veteran is likely to improve after a creditable comeback vs. tougher than these. -Brad Free
4:23 OP 5th ROCKYS WARRIOR (#1, 3-1) has the speed to hold his position from the rail and he’s further appealing from a class standpoint as he is one who has seen steeper. -Mary Rampellini
4:35 SA 3rd MR. CLUTCH (#5, 7-2) Two surface switchers that prepped on turf first time out switch to dirt and add blinkers in this Cal-bred sprint. Mr. Clutch faces Hammering Lemon. The edge goes to Mr. Clutch, who trained well prior to his debut, and ran like a colt that will improve with racing. He broke well, dropped back, appeared to race greenly on the turn, lost ground into the lane and finished with run. Solid debut, the move to dirt should be fine based on his works. -Brad Free
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5:07 SA 4th NEUTRINO (#6, 4-1) The experienced runners in this maiden-50 turf sprint are modest. It is a good spot for a well-connected first-time starter that has trained well. Neutrino fits the bill. His works are solid, trainer John Sadler is a 20 percent trainer (7-for-36) with debut turf sprinters the past three years, and Neutrino is bred for grass. Sired by Ghostzapper, his dam is a sibling to G1-winning turf mare Stormy Lucy. -Brad Free
5:15 GP 9th TAKEDOWN (#7, 20-1) won’t be anywhere close to the 32-1 he was in his latest but that’s now two respectable efforts for him since he was regrouped by Broome, the ever-capable veteran; won’t take much to emerge best in this spot. -Marty McGee
5:39 SA 5th Only six entrants, but this claiming sprint might offer wagering value with BLACK STORM (#2, 3-1) or EROTIC (#4, 4-1). Both have run fast enough to win at this $25k claiming level including a $20k claiming win two back by Black Storm. He misfired eight days ago, but wheels back on short notice and figures for a pressing trip in a race likely to unfold at a tepid pace. Erotic has an upset chance though he is unproven on dirt. A turf horse throughout his career, he shortens to a sprint, changes surfaces, gets hotriding Umberto Rispoli and will be running late if he handles dirt. -Brad Free
6:19 OP 9th FREEDOM PASSAGE (#8, 4-1) was second against similar last out at FG and is a logical choice back. -Mary Rampellini