DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, November 26, 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.

12:57 LRL 2nd SOUTH PACIFIC (#3, 9-2) tracked two wide/three path, pulled hard to battle for the lead while three wide/four path, cleared to the top and the rail on the far turn, but couldn't hold onto a clear lead. Lone win came going five-eighths, and she now cuts back for underrated barn that went 3 for the 13 (23%, $2.75 ROI) between 10/6 and 11/19. -Dan Illman

1:05 WO 1st SPEEDY ROSE (#7, 8-1) has been working right along and could take some catching with a clean break from the tricky outside post. The daughter of good 14% first-out sire Souper Speedy is a half-sister to the versatile stakes winner Red Cabernet ($400K) and Conquer the Sky ($150K). -Ron Gierkink

2:03 WO 3rd PHANTOM JEWEL (#2, 8-1) finished a lapped-on fourth after a three-wide stalking trip at 33-1 when exiting a layoff of over a year Nov. 10. The lightly-raced 4yo should be much fitter for the experience and could find the mark. -Ron Gierkink

2:33 WO 4th HAPPY QUAD (#5, 6-1) has posted a mixture of fast and average works time-wise for trainer Darren Glennon, who has low numbers with debuters. The son of popular 14% first-out sire Souper Speedy is a half-brother to three winners, including Speedy Fox ($200K). -Ron Gierkink

2:36 LRL 5th SPITBALL (#10, 15-1) prompted a reasonable three-ply pace from the inside, wound up in the pocket, engaged the leader turning for home, then flattened out. New barn scored off the claim with 6-1 What Say You here on 10/12. Don't mind this guy stretching out to seven, and can adapt to any pace scenario. Hernandez departs for Eddie the Great (1,104 lbs. on 11/5), but Briceno lands here instead of Gallant Gold (1,170 lbs. on 11/12; +5 from prior start). -Dan Illman

2:44 AQU 6th VIRTUAL REALITY (#1, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).

3:06 LRL 6th PALMARY (#5, 12-1) is by a sire that scores with 21% of his older debut runners out of a dam that won first-out sprinting here at age three (73 dirt Beyer top). That dam is a half-sister to stakes-placed synthetic sprinter Liliesformillie (75 synthetic Beyer). The second dam was a stakes-winning turf sprinter (84 turf Beyer). Barn is 6 for 15 (40%, $5.92 ROI) with first-time starters. -Dan Illman

3:42 AQU 8th While finding wins hard to come by this year, SHERIFF BIANCO's (#2, 4-1) form has not tailed off at all. The lone 2023 victory came when MTO in a sprint rained off the grass, but he has hit the board 11 times from 13 starts (he finished fourth in a pair of Grade 2 races) and has placed in four stakes; the mile might not be his best distance but he can get this far, and he will be a fair price in this spot. -Mike Beer

4:10 AQU 9th SWEET MYSTERY (#8, 6-1) caught a wet, sealed track in the Empire Distaff last time and could not make a late impact as that race was controlled up front; gets to drop back to a better distance for this and she would also appreciate getting to run over fast dirt again. -Mike Beer

4:13 GG 2nd HARBOR DEAREST (#2, 6-1) led with a furlong remaining in an $8,000 claimer for maidens at six furlongs last Sunday before fading to finish third by 1 3-4 lengths. The filly will have a rapid turnaround for her fifth start, but seems well-positioned in this $5,000 claimer for maidens at five furlongs. She is quick enough to be part of the pace and a slightly shorter race than last week may be a benefit. -Steve Andersen

6:11 GG 6th MIDNIGHT MAMMOTH (#4, 6-1), claimed for $50,000 in March and third in the Grade 2 Californian Stakes at Santa Anita in April, has had a different preparation for this race. Midnight Mammoth was a troubled fourth in a 1,000-yard race at Los Al at 2-5 on Nov. 12 in his first start since an eighth in the Pleasanton Mile in June. The Los Al race should be a suitable wakeup for a four-time winner capable of setting the pace. -Steve Andersen

6:40 GG 7th BERRY VALLEY (#3, 5-1) has shown improvement in her first three starts, a trend that can continue in this allowance race for fillies and mares at six furlongs. Berry Valley does face a class jump, having won a maiden race in her last start. She seems to be a patient filly and that could boost her chances if Lady Gregory sets a quick pace from an inside post. Lady Gregory is also entered to race on Saturday. Her absence from this field would likely result in Berry Valley racing on the lead. -Steve Andersen