DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, October 31, 2021

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.

1:23 LRL 3rd MAVILUS (#5, 6-1) broke sharp in the Maryland Million Distaff Starter, but wound up prompting the pace three wide over an inside-biased track. Dropped back three deep and in between horses on the turn and never got involved in the stretch. Don't mind her stretching out as the last two wins have come routing and don't believe she needs the lead to be at her best. Three-year-old takes advantage of the beaten condition against a field of older "non-three" claimers. Acosta lands here instead of Acadian Girl. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:50 LRL 4th TRADITION (#5, 6-1), 1,065 lbs. on Oct. 24; +20 lbs. from prior start, went turf to dirt successfully when graduating over sloppy going and will attempt to repeat the pattern after failing to factor at huge odds going short on the weeds. Chased a good field two back on the main track (one of the two next-out winners, Alpha Queue, returned to win a nickel “two-life” by 7 1/4 lengths with a 70 Beyer). Raced wide at the back, swung five wide turning for home and got up for third. Should get pace to run at in the stretch. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:24 WO 4th BEYOND MY DREAMS (#10, 8-1) was softened up in a speed duel in a recent route experiment going nine furlongs. He's eligible to run big on the turnback to seven-eighths with a hot Nicholls taking over. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:43 BEL 5th ROGERS GINGER (#5, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:58 WO 5th JACK SLYE (#5, 20-1) showed nothing after getting bumped early in his six-furlong debut, from which the third horse exited to land another maiden special with a 69 Beyer. He's bred to run long and could wake up with the addition of blinkers and Gallardo. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:24 LRL 7th FRAUDULENT CHARGE (#7, 5-1) showed some class when a game runner-up in the Beyond the Wire Stakes two starts back. Pressed odds-on Street Lute from the outside, got the better of that one in the stretch and just missed to a good-trip stalker. Likely gained needed fitness from most recent start, her first run in 217 days. Went after odds-on Moquist in earnest on the turn and understandably faded in the stretch. Think she'll get some pace to attack cutting back to three-quarters, and the Gaudet barn is 4 for the last 11 (36%, $2.74 ROI) with dirt sprinters going second after layoffs of 180 to 365 days. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:28 WO 6th PRINCESSOFTHENORTH (#1, 10-1) worked a quick half-mile from the gate Oct. 15, and is well-regarded by top baby trainer Casse. The daughter of hot freshman sire Cupid was an $80K 2yo purchase at OBS. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:30 SA 1st First-time starter BIG STRIKE (#2, 4-1) gets the call n in this maiden-50 turf at five furlongs. She has worked well from the gate, in company, and is bred to win early. Her sire Mr. Big gets 16 percent debut winners (all ages), her dam won her career debut and produced two debut winners including Blake Heap-trained Jets to Brazil. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:49 BEL 7th WENDELL FONG (#5, 9-2) is just 1 for his last 10 after beginning his career with three wins from his first four starts, including a stakes victory over this track, but he has actually improved significantly while facing some tough competition during the dry spell; liked that win two back when overcoming early trouble with a strong finish, and he also ran well in the Tom Fool last time while having no chance with a front-running winner; must be ready off the layoff. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:55 LRL 8th Late-running LADY NOY (#1, 15-1) tries her luck on the circuit after a solid third-place finish at Meadowlands. Broke sharp from the inside post, but settled for a ground-saving midpack trip behind a gate-to-wire winner. Cut the corner turning into the stretch and finished up evenly. Needs pace help, but should appreciate the long stretch at Laurel. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:02 GP 7th RAPTUROUS (#3, 5-1) passed two runners to break her maiden and that comes in handy today as this race is loaded with front runners. This filly is bred to like the turf so that bodes well for Tapeta debut. We spy two works between starts along with a barn that is 27% on the synth. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:21 BEL 8th DON'T CALL ME MARY (#6, 6-1) out-dueled the previously undefeated Chub Wagon to score vs. fellow Pa-breds two back with a 95 Beyer, then failed to fire her best shot in the Gallant Bloom when brought back here last month, though she was never winning that race, anyway; has steadily improved for Pletcher since the start of the year and can easily rebound in this spot at a square price. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:30 SA 3rd The pace scenario benefits MARGOT'S BOY (#6, 3-1), who could find himself setting an easy pace in a N2X turf otherwise void of speed. He nearly stole a similar turf race two back, followed by a runner-up finish on dirt last out. In light with a seven-pound apprentice, 'BOY can lead wire to wire. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:34 GP 8th MR MATUSCHEK (#6, 8-1) is a solid turf runner that might love his synth debut. The Danner barn is 25% on this surface. Closing style works for us and this gelding gets back to routing. Sutherland gets a leg up and she won with this gelding only four back at a nice almost 11-1. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:00 WO 9th SELF INFLICTED (#11, 8-1) won two of his last three outings in conditioned claimers, and the closer has ample speed to chase in this $8K seller. He was on the part of Tuesday's closing day Fort Erie card that was cancelled due to unsafe track conditions. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:06 GP 9th SHE TAKES HEART (#3, 8-1) draws inside and has some zip in a race without much pace. As George Patton once said, "the best defense is a good offense". Go fast and win. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

8:10 SA 10th SUBCONSCIOUS (#2, 6-1) gets tested for class in this turf stakes for 3yos, the son of Tapit might be up to the challenge based on two starts since he was gelded. He won both including a visually impressive N1X last out despite an imperfect trip. He raced off the pace, lost ground much of the race, rolled home in 23.03 seconds and won going away. Sharp. He is learning to ration his speed, and could get a great trip tucked just off the pace. With a more economical ground-saving trip, he can spring a minor upset. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets