DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, November 8, 2026

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 BEL 2nd SMOKIN HOT BLONDE (#3, 8-1) must prove that she's more than a synthetic horse, since she's hard more success on that surface than turf; however, it's fair to say that she really hasn't been appropriately spotted in her grass starts; has been badly overmatched on that surface pitted against vastly superior allowance fields in Kentucky; ran very well for the level last time in her first NY start, overcoming a 3-wide uncovered trip to just miss; should be tough if she can transfer that form to grass, and her tactical speed figures to play well here. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

1:40 BEL 3rd I know FLYING HAWLEY (#7, 8-1) doesn't have the most obvious turf pedigree, but there are some influences to be found; Curlin is a better turf sire than he gets credit for, hitting with 12% turf route winners; the dam placed in her only grass start, but she is a half-sister to Grade 1 turf winner Mirth; this filly has been a work in progress, but has been racing into fitness for Shug McGaughey; has the tactical speed to get forward here, and has given me some signals that a surface switch could move her up. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

2:10 BEL 4th ELKO COUNTY (#2, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (David Aragona). | Get Past Performances for this race

2:34 WO 4th FINAL SCRIPT (#2, 7-2) is by elite sire Justify, who's gotten a solid 15% 2yo debut winners in North America. The Chiefswood homebred beat company in a good gate work Oct. 10 and is the first foal from a stakes-placed grasser by hot broodmare sire Curlin. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

2:57 CD 5th ALLIEMAE (#4, 12-1) didn't set the world on fire last out while making her second start - but she still ran far better than in her debut. Well-beaten sixth but was only four lengths out of second in race won by a very wide margin. And, most of all, she showed far more speed sitting just off the pace than any of her rivals here appear to possess. Would even go so far as to say I found recent work video at least mildly appealing for a horse at this level. If she breaks, I think she makes the lead and goes all the way. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

3:26 CD 6th TORRE EIFFEL (#6, 6-1) did benefit from a strong, contested pace when nabbing third from Mizzou, who was part of that pace, last out at Keeneland. But that 6f trip is too short for him - this 6 1/2 suits better. Typically demanding trip two back at SAR for a horse lacking speed who breaks from the rail - actually came decently through traffic there. Owner-trainer Asmussen claimed the horse for $30K and holds firm for $50K - and I can see why. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

3:34 WO 6th FOXTROTANNA (#2, 10-1) couldn't cut it against allowance/optional-claiming company before a closing third most recently at this non-three OS/$40K class. The veteran has lots of speed to chase and could end a long drought in his first Tapeta start in quite a while. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

3:35 GP 7th KIM WIN WIN (#5, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race

4:01 DMR 2nd BIG IF (#6, 3-1) is out of a dam who was best going long and broke her maiden with a 71 Beyer in a dirt route but she produced two winners from as many starters and both were sprinters; sports a full set of works for this and meets a seemingly average field for the class level. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

4:38 GP 9th KID TWIST (#6, 3-1) is the fresh face from the Mid West. We like that he runs sans a local drill. Race flow is fine if all stay in. This gelding ran a Beyer top in his most recent and that was after breaking 9th of 10. Is six furlongs his best distance? Figs figure and the price might entice. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

5:10 GP 10th NECEA (#9, 6-1) made a big middle move in her debut before spitting the bit down the lane. Breaking from the 10 post in a turf route is just a tough spot. That race came back key when 2 of 6 retuned to win with figs of 70 and 72. This filly is bred to love two turns on the turf and we bet that translates well to the synth. Herrera gets a leg up and is 24% for team Tomlinson. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

5:37 WO 10th ALWAYS A WAY (#1, 20-1) is worth a flyer off a game last-out dirt score in a starter/optional claimer at Fort Erie if the rail is the place to be. The 5yo won thrice on Tapeta in the past. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

6:09 WO 11th DRAW BOOT (#7, 6-1) outlasted non-two company after a four-wide trip in his penultimate race and just missed most recently after another wide journey at this non-three class. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

7:33 DMR 9th CHANNEL PLACE (#7, 4-1) is easy to like after dropping a close decision against similar company in her latest; she gets an extra eighth of a mile here but she's proven at nine furlongs and this extra distance could even work to her advantage. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race