DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, Sept. 20, 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.

12:39 LRL 2nd LADY SRIRACHA (#3, 9-2) will ship to Laurel for Moore, who typically takes this trip with intent; the mare is 2-for-24 and has finished in the money in four straight starts without a victory at Parx; that's all understandably concerning, but this is the right sort of field for her to get away with some win-shy habits. - Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race

12:45 CD 1st Going firsters across the board in this 2yo maiden-claimer. MORRILTON (#2, 20-1) has been at the training center, so no work videos, but the barn capable with debuting runners and has won with them at the maiden-claiming class. Did notice some interesting stats with trainer using this bug rider: They've combined to go 3-1-2-0 with recent first-timers and over the last three months generally are 12-5-3-1. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

12:55 GP 2nd CALLING THE SHOTS (#8, 8-1) puts three races together for only the second time. She returns to a flat mile on the dirt and that is where she broke her maiden. A stalking trip from the outside rounds out the appeal. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

1:07 LRL 3rd GOLD RESERVE (#10, 12-1) might fall under the radar for Nihei, but the trainer typically ships live runners to Laurel and this one might handle the turf well; he made his debut on synthetic at Turfway way back in December and showed mild interest on the far turn before fading; he has been gelded since and has had plenty of time to put the pieces together at Fair Hill; he should fetch a price. - Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race

1:10 BEL 1st The Chad Brown duo will obviously be tough to beat, but they do face one rival with significantly more upside; VEBLEN (#1, 8-1) ran like a horse who needed his debut experience; he broke inward and got a bit keen traveling onto the backstretch; he ultimately rallied mildly without threatening; it's generally wise to be forgiving of horses who struggled to close out of the Wilson Chute, and it's not like he got much pace ahead of him. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

1:30 GP 3rd STAN THEMAN MUSIAL (#6, 5-1) cost 425K and was claimed for $12,500 in his last race. His first two starts in SoCal weren't that bad and he had a little trouble in both. We have zero excuses for his two local starts. New barn is 23% off the claim and some horses just need a change of scenery. This guy puts three races together for the first time. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

1:32 WO 2nd TALENT SHOW (#2, 6-1) is coming off a sagging fifth at this level when bet down to 4-5 on the Tapeta. She won both of her turf outings last year at Indiana and could get back on track in this inner turf tilt for a trainer who's been heating up. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

2:00 GP 4th LADY CAJUN (#8, 10-1) did run a little better last out. She tries the dirt for the first time and draws best all while adding 1 1/2 furlongs. She has some upside and figures a good price. She has zero works between starts. A good trip and a positive surface switch are what we are banking on. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

2:09 LRL 5th PARKRIDGE (#2, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Patrick Moquin). | Get Past Performances for this race

2:22 BEL 3rd Generally want to be forgiving of horses who were unable to close out of the Wilson Chute, especially in speed-dominated affairs; A. P. SLINGSHOT (#4, 5-1) fits that bill after participating in a merry-go-round race last time; her prior form at this level had been decent and she figures to get the right pace setup as one of the few true closers in this field. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

3:05 GP 6th STIR FLAY (#3, 10-1) gets off the rail for his second start and goes for a barn that is 2 for 4 with their 2nd time maidens. Five of seven sibs beat winners. Debut rider keeps the call and we always like that. - Scott Ehlers

3:18 CD 6th Can't see any work video for DIVA WARRIOR (#8, 10-1) since all the prep work done at Ellis - flying  | Get Past Performances for this raceblind, but guessing this one is more live than the other Cox-trained firster, Razor Rockette, who did not impress in work video. Not to go all jockeyologist, but Cox regularly turns to La Machado. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

3:50 CD 7th TRAMUNTANA (#4, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Get Past Performances for this race

4:07 BEL 6th Jena Antonucci is not a trainer typically known for connecting with first time starters, but it seems like she's got a live group of juveniles this year, and is 3 for her last 12 ($2.89 ROI) with 2YO firsters at NYRA; SOLDIER'S GLORY (#10, 10-1) is by new sire Nashville, who has already produced 2 turf winners; there is much pedigree close up, but 2nd dam Promise Me More was a turf debut winner. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

4:54 CD 9th OSCAR SEASON (#8, 8-1) seemed to be going places through May 2025 - and since has gone only the wrong direction. Is it too late for him? I'm guessing not. Long layoff but that's not a concern with this barn, and he's gotten in 10 works without a break at Turfway. Video for one of them showed enough for me to take a shot and guess he finallly gets back to his better form. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

5:27 WO 9th YOSHII (#1, 6-1) tore up the turf in his last two outings, beating non-three opponents on the inner course before toppling N1X rivals with an 85 Beyer most recently on the main course. He's proven around two turns on the inner layout and could strike again going a mile here under apprentice Douglas, who was aboard for the aforementioned scores. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

5:40 LRC 4th ZOMBO BOMBO (#4, 5-1) was claimed for $6,250 by current trainer Angela Aquino at Del Mar on July 30, the day he finished second by a nose. In his only subsequent start, Zombo Bombo finished last of six after a troubled trip in a 1,000-yard race at the evening meeting here on Sept. 6. Zombo Bombo failed to challenge for the early lead, which all but ended his chances. He can beat this field from the front. - Steve Andersen | Get Past Performances for this race

6:12 LRC 5th BET THE OM (#8, 4-1), a two-time winner in 1,000-yard race at the Los Al evening meeting in the last year, may have sufficient speed to lead throughout or at least be effective as a stalker, in this five-furlong dash for $6,250 claimers who are nonwinners of three. Bet the Om was a game third in a race at this level at 5 1/2 furlongs at the daytime meeting here in July. Edgar Payeras has the mount and won aboard the 4-year-old gelding in February. - Steve Andersen | Get Past Performances for this race