DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, Sept. 27, 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.

12:58 LRL 3rd FLAMENCO STAR (#5, 8-1) has won each of his last two starts on turf and will take the logical next step up the claiming ladder for Duarte; the gelding got an uncontested lead in his last start and was never in too much trouble, earning a 67 Beyer reminiscent of his best form from last year; it's easy to poke holes in the quality of his last effort, but there isn't much speed in this field to challenge him either. - Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race

1:30 WO 2nd LADY DAYRELLS (#1, 8-1) got away slowly before closing inside for third in her much-improved last outing in a similar spot. She has some speed to rally behind here after breaking from the rail under regular rider Nicholls and could be along in time. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

2:33 GP 5th CRYINGINTHERAIN (#10, 8-1) is the rare synth sprinter coming to America. First Lasix and blinkers are an interesting combo. Sire gets 13% debut turf winners. Her dam was un-raced. All 3 sibs raced overseas where two of three won (one multiple winner of 117K). Works are perfect all for a barn that is 50% with their new runners. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

2:45 CD 5th New connections turn ACT OF PARLIAMENT (#1, 8-1) around quickly off the claim, and while he did defeat lesser than these Sept. 17, I liked the way he went about his business. The key, though, has to do with race shape: This is an utterly paceless field, and I think he can show enough gate speed to make a clear early lead from the rail. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

3:01 LRL 7th FRYE ISLAND (#7, 10-1) will make his first start for new trainer Elamri, a turf sprint specialist who has not yet won a race this year; he has come close recently, however, and this gelding showed he was clearly on his way when he won a $16,000 claimer for Farrior earlier this month; this is an interesting time for him to switch barns to someone who clearly works well with his type. - Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race

3:38 GP 7th SHINIGAMI (#8, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race

3:50 CD 7th SPECIAL LIBERTY (#8, 6-1) went off a tick lower than 2-1 in her debut because she had worked - to my eye, and, apparently, others - very well for it. Was stuck inside and between horses while taking dirt pretty much her entire trip - and yes, I'm searching for excuses, because in the end, she just didn't fire. One post-race work video shows her Sept. 18 inside Emphatic, blowout winner of the Sorority with an 83 Beyer - SL at least comes close to holding her own. Giving her one more chance, and at a better price this time. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

4:03 RP 1st HE'S SO HANDSOME (#4, 6-1) switches to the barn of 32% trainer Austin Gustafson, and while the fact that this opener is loaded with firsters there is not a lot of established speed signed on; he showed some early foot in his five furlong debut and figures to benefit from a forward trip today. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

4:11 GP 8th NICE TRY RILEY (#2, 5-1) is now two for two with team Chapman. We like this class jump. This gelding loves a flat mile and can fire fresh. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

4:15 WO 7th MALIBU MAMBO (#6, 10-1) was victorious going 1 1/4 miles here twice on the main turf in the past and seems made-to-order for this second leg of the Woodbine Turf Distance Series. The 9yo is exiting an improved third in a handicap at Colonial and gets Dane Nelson, who won on a longshot here Thursday. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

4:33 RP 2nd ZORRITOS DASH (#2, 8-1) has tired despite loose leads on several occasions, including in his latest, but a couple of those tries were against better, and he's run well when in for a tag in his prior turf route races; there's not all that much early zip in this field and this gelding could hold a pace advantage. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

4:48 WO 8th EL CAPO (#4, 6-1) rallied three-wide from fifth for second behind a runaway winner over a track that favored speed and inside runners last out against non-two allowance types. The towering bay could mow down all the speed in this N1X/$32K contest in his first try under Wilson. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

4:54 CD 9th CONSOLIDATED (#7, 12-1) did get pushed 100 paths wide at the quarter pole when last seen racing June 26, but that was in part because, already wide, he was pushed out of the way - and outward - by two horses traveling much better than he who moved inside him. Looked to me like CONSOLIDATED could not hold his path because he was unbalanced and uncomfortable on the first sloppy track he'd encountered - that, too, would account for him being so much farther back than one might've imagined. Off three months but kept to at least a fairly steady work pattern since last race, and returns in starter-allowance competition. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

5:25 CD 10th Feels like a good race to go hunting for prices - the "favorites" don't have much on the longer prices, I don't think. GUNS AND GLORY (#5, 20-1) never posted an official N American workout before 2024 and debuted as an early 3yo in Dubai. Raced two seasons there and was a pretty good dirt horse - hitting his ceiling both times he was tested in Group stakes competition. Turf debut came at end of his last campaign there, a seeming afterthought, and not valued when making his N American debut for a mere $25K tag. Claimed as a dirt horse, and that didn't work out at all, but think current connections who switched the horse right to turf might have found something. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

7:00 SA 7th BO DIDDLEY (#7, 30-1) is being given a jump in class to this maiden race for California-bred 2-year-old at six furlongs on turf after a game second as the 8-5 favorite in a $50,000 claimer for statebred maidens at 5 1-2 furlongs at Los Al on Sept. 12. Bo Diddley, claimed for $20,000 by current trainer Doug O'Neill when third at Del Mar on Aug. 23, has already had five starts and developed a pattern as a late-running sprinter. - Steve Andersen | Get Past Performances for this race

7:12 RP 7th AWESOMESAUCE (#8, 10-1) was off the board in the Grade 3 Waya in that last try but she produced the best Beyer of her career and she has every right to improve here, as this field doesn't seem to be at deep and this distance seems to be a better fit for her; she's a closer in need of pace but if LONG AGO gets any kind of pressure on the front end this could well set up for a closer. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

8:00 SA 9th FEELING LUCKY (#7, 12-1) nearly upset an allowance race for statebreds at 1 1-16 miles on turf at Del Mar at 25-1 on Aug. 22, leading in the stretch before finishing second by a half-length. Feeling Lucky runs at the same class level at a mile on turf in this field of 11 and is highly-rated as a prospect that can lead or stalk the pace for jockey Joel Rosario. - Steve Andersen | Get Past Performances for this race

8:42 RP 10th HIGH FRONT (#6, 8-1) was behind LET'S GO MARK in their last meeting but the former was hampered by a slow start, forcing him to rush up in the early stages, and that took a toll late; he can turn the tables in the Great West Turf Sprint given a clean getaway, as that could lead to a perfect stalking trip just off expected pacesetter JACKMAN'S RIDE. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race