DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, Oct. 25, 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.

12:00 LRL 1st TAMARIN (#1, 4-1) is taking a highly conspicuous drop in class here, as the Clement trainee will ship from New York after finishing ninth in a $55,000 maiden claiming race on synthetic at Belmont last month; he's in for a $16,000 tag this time; the ceiling is high in relation to his competition, but the floor is startlingly low; appealing as a new face. - Patrick Moquin

1:35 WO 2nd FORESTER'S FORTUNE (#6, 6-1) ended a long drought when beating $25K claimers after a lovely stalking trip last out and could strike again in this tougher five-furlong inner turf dash. - Ron Gierkink

1:42 BEL 2nd LADY GIRVIN (#10, 15-1) intrigued me switching to turf last time, but wondered if the 6.5F would prove too short for her; that proved to be the case, as she was outrun throughout but nevertheless staying on past tired rivals through the late stages; looks like one that wants to go longer, and her experience should serve her well in a field where many of the main rivals are firsters. - David Aragona

2:08 WO 3rd DOYLER (#4, 6-1) worked a bullet five-eighths while beating decent company Oct. 11 and got some gate practice in last Sunday. The son of Street Sense doesn't have much turf pedigree, which isn't a prerequisite for success in turf sprints. - Ron Gierkink

2:16 BEL 3rd GIANT AT WORK (#6, 6-1) improved when making the switch from Finger Lakes to NYRA around this time last year, upsetting a field last December at Aqueduct; subsequently carried that form forward against tougher company until going to the sidelines; now returns off a couple of improved efforts this summer; was compromised by a slow pace last time at Finger Lakes and figures to fare better around Belmont's sweeping turns. - David Aragona

2:57 CD 5th BARDSTOWN (#11, 20-1) is no sprinter and ran into a pretty sharp maiden sprint winner debuting at Ellis Park. He got out to a mile in his second start (86-1!), chased a hot pace, and tired late in a CD MSW won very sharply by Coach Pope, top echelon horse in the division. In any case, this is a turf-leaning pedigree and I'm seeing those two starts as a lead-in to the grass debut. - Marcus Hersh

3:02 GP 6th KING OF LEGENDS (#4, 5-1) is by a 11% debut sire (2YO's only) and a 8% debut turf sire (all runners). His dam went 15-6-3-2 and earned 442K (434K on the grass, won sod debut). Lone sibling is 6-3-3-0 and earned 1.2 million. He won his turf and 2YO debut while all races were on the turf. That bullet work on the 10th isn't lost on us. - Scott Ehlers

3:26 CD 6th ESSEN LANE (#6, 8-1) in his Sept. 16 drill was very antsy in the starting gate, but then broke like rocket. Assented to being reined in through the home straight, then stretched nicely when allowed to do a little more past the wire. Was fast from the gate again Sept. 23 breaking inside two horses - and really liked the way he went through that drill. Three works since look good on paper, though we can't watch them. - Marcus Hersh

3:34 GP 7th BELLA JAK (#2, 8-1) has a versatile style that might hit a little harder today due to lack of pace in this race. This 3YO has done all of her winning on the Tapeta. The later we get into the year the more we like 3YO's. This horse is often a good price. -Scott Ehlers

3:41 WO 6th EGBERT WHO (#1, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink).

3:55 CD 7th GHOSTLINE (#2, 6-1) in several work videos impressed me the most among horses we can watch breeze into their debut. She's a pretty big girl who probably wants to route - but might she have a touch of speed, too? - Marcus Hersh

4:00 SA 1st Unraced since January, PACIFIC QUEST (#1, 6-1) may have conditions in his favor in this $30,000 claimer for nonwinners of three at a mile on turf. Pacific Quest, who drew the inside post, has sufficient speed to take a commanding lead in this field of eight. None of the other runners have such a pronounced style as Pacific Quest, who is trained by Bob Hess, Jr. Tyler Baze, who has ridden Pacific Quest to two wins, retains the mount. - Steve Andersen

4:06 GP 8th NOSOX (#3, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers).

4:25 CD 8th GAL PAL (#10, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh).

4:38 GP 9th WEAREBACKYOUNGMAN (#6, 5-1) exits a key race where 3 of 8 returned to win with Beyers of 76, 78, and 77. Did something go awry in his last race hence the time off? Works are solid. This gelding did win when last seen returning off a layoff and did so going a tough seven panels. - Scott Ehlers

4:46 WO 8th FRIENDLY GHOST (#5, 8-1) is about due for one of his wake-up wins from off the pace and could prevail at a square price. This barn has had an incredible meet, going 8 for 24 with a fat ROI. - Ron Gierkink

5:05 BEL 8th FLOWERHEAD (#3, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (David Aragona).

5:38 BEL 9th Don't think MEADOWLARK DRIVE (#5, 10-1) has been facing the toughest competition out of town, but she clearly is a turf sprinter; ran well closing in her turf debut at Penn National back in June; recently responded well to some class relief when dropped in for a tag and turned back into a turf sprint at Laurel; tracked a moderate pace and came with a powerful stretch bid once angled out; steps up against tougher here, but at least has some upside in a race where several rivals aren't in the best form. - David Aragona

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