DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, Oct. 4, 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.

12:35 BEL 1st FIRST TO ENGAGE (#10, 10-1) sports a modest pedigree, though sire Engage does get 16% debut winners; sold for $65k at Fasig-Tipton largely on the basis of an eye-catching breeze in which he was really reaching out for ground; seems to be working pretty well and may get somewhat overlooked due to connections. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

1:05 BEL 2nd VINO FRIZZANTE (#9, 8-1) has to get back to some of the better races she ran for Linda Rice earlier this year if she's to upset this field, but she's had some minor excuses lately; didn't care for a wet track 2 back and last time was buried inside after breaking a step slowly; makes her first start off the claim for James Ferraro, who is 7/31 (23%, $4.59 ROI) with this move over the last 5 years. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

1:22 GP 3rd STELLAR QUEEN (#6, 4-1) gets the call in a head scratcher with so many new faces in this lineup. Dam has produced plenty of winners and she has been holding own in the a.m. of late with older, multiple winners such as Uncaptured Dove(see 8th race) and veteran North End Lady. - Mike Welsch | Get Past Performances for this race

1:55 GP 4th Will take a shot WESTERN SHAFT (#4, 6-1) might wake up at a price off pair of dull ones in category if able to get loose, relax on the front end ala well graded N2L win late this spring. - Mike Welsch | Get Past Performances for this race

2:04 WO 3rd SCOTCH SCAR (#2, 6-1) got away slowly and then saved ground on a live rail before closing from sixth to land her $25K debut over a speed-favoring track. She has pace to chase in this non-two OS/$40K event going 6 1/2 furlongs, a distance which should be right up her alley. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

2:10 KEE 3rd Could WAY BEYOND (#3, 8-1) be as high as the listed 8-1? Shouldn't be. His entire body of work before the layoff after the 1/26 race reveals a horse who should be competitive dropping to this 3yo $62.5K claiming class. And upon his return, he faced a group of hardened older first-level allowance horses - much stronger competition than this. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

2:11 BEL 4th Had some interest in WHATEVER IT TAKES (#10, 8-1) last time after she had trained well for her debut; probably needed the race as so many Amelia Green runners do; still performed pretty well, rating off a slow pace and rallying into 3rd before galloping out best of all; won't be surprised if she shows a little more early speed with that experience under her belt, and am expecting a step forward. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

2:27 LRL 6th PAYNTED BY NANCY (#7, 10-1) regressed sharply at a mile last time out and will sensibly cut back to a sprint distance for Cooney; the filly seemed to be doing just fine in sprints at Colonial this summer, though she did all of her running at long odds; this is an appropriate level and Ruiz takes the mount for the first time; she deserves respect. - Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race

2:45 KEE 4th Was enamored enough of work video from GRANTCHESTER (#1, 8-1) that I picked him to win his debut at Kentucky Downs - that despite the fact he'd breezed on dirt and debuted on turf. Good run over the stiff 7f at KD! Bred more like a dirt horse and think he is a dirt horse who got in a useful turf prep for the KEE meet. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

2:59 LRL 7th BE BETTER (#3, 9-2) will return from a short break after winning a $10,000 claimer at Colonial in July for Allen, earning a 73 Beyer for his second recent victory; the gelding had win-shy issues for a time, but they evaporated when he got into sharper form over the summer; Laurel is obviously his comfort zone and he should be one of the top picks on all tickets in this group. - Patrick Moquin

3:20 KEE 5th TWILIGHT DELIGHT (#12, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Get Past Performances for this race

3:40 GP 7th CROSS HASTE (#1, 9-2) back to more suitable spot after even try with better last time. Switches to veteran rider and most important might prove controlling speed if away running from rail. - Mike Welsch | Get Past Performances for this race

4:00 SA 1st PRINCE DOLCE (#4, 5-1) starts against open for the first time since late April in an allowance race at a mile on turf that should suit his style. Trained by Steve Knapp, Prince Dolce adores the Santa Anita turf course, having won all four of his career starts on the surface. At Del Mar during the summer, Prince Dolce had mixed results. He finished fifth by 2 3-4 lengths in the California Dreamin' Stakes on turf, and nearly three weeks later was fourth after a wide trip in an allowance race for statebreds on dirt. In this field of six, he should get a more favorable stalking trip. - Steve Andersen | Get Past Performances for this race

4:34 KEE 7th Those were not plow horses in that Sept. 7 Colonial maiden, but neither was it an especially strong bunch, even by CNL MSW standards, yet OVERTIME RULES's (#4, 8-1) easy front-running win there still caught the eye. He basically was never asked while traveling like a horse who definitely had another level to find. Just a third-time starter, second time on dirt, and there might be vast untapped upside, though presence of Prat costs one a few odds points. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

5:20 WO 9th BUNYAN (#4, 6-1) ran greenly during a wide trip while closing for third in his seven-furlong debut vs. maiden special company on the main turf. The large gray should be a good fit in this longer restricted stakes on the same course if he improves under Aebly, who's 6 for 25 at the meet for KA. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

5:33 BEL 10th REPENTLESS (#6, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (David Aragona). | Get Past Performances for this race

7:36 SA 8th LADY RIDER (#2, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Steve Andersen). | Get Past Performances for this race