DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, March 26, 2023
?q=100)
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.
12:20 TAM 1st Thought EXCELLENT MARK (#6, 10-1) ran into some traffic trouble in the lane when behind some of these same rivals last time out, and he showed some interest while not being pushed all that hard once clear he'd be no threat; can surprise with a clean trip behind an honest pace. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
12:40 GP 1st Might not need to look any further in the 12:40p ET opener than EMBER (#1, 9-2), the hedge-drawn 5yo whose return effort from the 10-month-plus layoff earlier this month suggests Team D'Angelo has him about as right as can be; ought to sit the right trip under the perennially underrated Vasquez before moving along. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:02 TAM 4th BEAUTY QUIST (#2, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:24 LRL 5th SPOTTED BULL (#7, 6-1) seemed antsy in the gate prior to his start earlier in the month, then bobbled leaving the gate. Saved ground, angled four wide, then was the only horse making up ground in a race dominated by the two favorites. Perhaps compromised by a lack of pace over a speed-friendly track two back when wired by solid Oxide, he has the tactical speed to sit a good trip. Barn went 10 for 33 (30%, $3.89 ROI) between 2/25 and 3/23. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:51 LRL 6th LADNEEDSAHANDLER (#8, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Dan Illman). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:37 GP 7th Rugged MSW mile out of the chute makes for a tricky start to the late pick-4, but we'll give IMONRA (#5, 4-1) a fair chance to redeem as a twice-beaten fave on a stretchout that should find her on or near the lead from the opening bell; Violence filly has been regrouped with a steady work pattern dating back to 2/18; Saffie pulling out lots of stops in trying to annex a 2nd straight champ-meet title. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:47 OP 5th EGO (#3, 7-2), who is coming off a troubled trip, draws an improved post over his most recent start. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:00 AQU 8th FORTY SMOOTH (#4, 8-1) made her dirt debut going seven off the layoff last summer at Saratoga and looked win winning that race on the front end while protected from being claimed; won again a few starts later when able to control the pace going longer; back from another layoff but this isn't the strongest field for the level. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:06 GP 10th Left-field closers such as WAND (#9, 3-1) can be risky plays because of potential traffic trouble and other reasons, but we'll go ahead and give her the best chance to send you home a winner; gray gal sure did come running in her 2nd post-claim try for Hurtak, who really has enjoyed a sneaky-good winter. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:25 TUP 5th SARGE'S SERMON (#1, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:36 TAM 11th IMMORTALLOVE (#5, 8-1) has some of the best works of any of the firsters in this field, good enough to make her a threat by default as she makes her debut for trainer Aldana Spieth; she's the first starter out of dam Money Or Love, who won six races, five of them sprinting on dirt, and she was a multiple stakes winner. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
6:03 SA 5th This Cal-bred maiden turf mile is a good spot to take a shot at a price. CEE MINUS (#8, 8-1) could offer value following a last-out sixth in a similar turf route. She got trapped in traffic on the far turn, had nowhere to go waiting for room, was blocked at the eighth pole, and never had a fair shot. She may be better than her recent lines look, this field did not come up that tough. Tab for an upset. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:39 SA 8th PROFESSORS' PRIDE (#3, 4-1) returns from a layoff with sharp works over the Santa Anita surface that suggest she is ready to fire in his N1X dirt sprint. She runs fresh, having won her career debut in a dirt sprint followed by a Cal-bred stakes win. She had bad luck three starts afterward, and was laid off. With a clean break, she could get a good trip positioned just off the speedster two stalls outside. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:56 GG 8th Of the eight runners, five won their last starts, all since mid-February. The pace should be quick and that will help stalkers such as AUSTRIAN NAVY (#6, 6-1) and A DIME FOR ME. Austrian Navy may have a slight edge over A Dime For Me at this six-furlong distance. Austrian Navy has won her last three starts, and four of her last five races. She led throughout in the first race of the current streak in January and has stalked the pace in her last two wins. The versatility may be an asset in this field. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets