DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Monday, Sept. 7, 2026
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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.
12:04 SAR 2nd JETSETTER (#9, 12-1) is by a 15% juvenile debut sire. The dam is a sister to Lady Ivanka, who only started twice as a 2yo, but won both times (both at Saratoga), including the Grade 1 Spinaway. Win-early pedigree and some nice works showing. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
12:30 KD 1st This will be bet like a two-horse race between Wedelia and Episist. They're both going to be negative value, Wedelia especially, and I'm not settling. The gate sprang for GIMME SOME LOVIN's (#9, 12-1) debut and she stood there for a half-second, clearing thinking, "Oh - what now?" Classic case of a horse needing her first race. Far, far better start to finish second time out, giving chase to front-running winner who hit a pretty high level in that start. Project similar improvement here - and guess the longer trip suits - and we might be onto something. – Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race
12:57 CNL 3rd PRETTY VIOLENT (#6, 5-1) will make her second start for Trombetta, and though she finished behind a few in this field in her debut last time out, there seems to be a little more upside in her potential improvement. Lopez stays aboard after the filly was pinched at the start last time out and trailed in 11th. She showed encouraging late interest to finish seventh, making it an instructive debut. – Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race
1:12 SAR 4th TAMPA STORM (#2, 12-1) was last seen making a premature, outside run to the lead and ultimately weakening to finish third on a sloppy track back in March. Thought he had an unlucky trip in his dirt debut, then was against the bias in each of his next two starts. One more chance starting back fresh. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
1:49 MTH 3rd LADY HATHOR (#3, 4-1) rallied well to get the place in that last turf sprint, as the 9-5 winner controlled the pace from the start on a loose lead, and she was flattered when Clean Winner returned to win her next start and finish a narrow 2nd in her subsequent try, albeit both on dirt (respective Beyers of 57 and 58). Especially dangerous if she can stay close early on, as this is another sprint that's not loaded with speed. – Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race
2:16 LAD 4th REE NEE'S SIX (#2, 5-1) is an upgrade candidate after racing off the pace in consecutive races where the speeds held the edge, thanks to short fields that were light on early zip (note bold "S" symbols in DRF PPs). She had been primarily a front-runner earlier in the year, but she seems to be developing a rating gear and she could fall into a trip here, as there are a couple of confirmed pacesetters to her outside. – Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race
2:41 WO 4th ALLBETSAREOFF (#6, 10-1) got a little break after ending up a wide fourth behind next-out winner Captivating Name when dropping to this bottom non-two level July 24. He's adding blinkers and can fire when fresh as evidenced by his victorious seasonal bow. – Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race
2:47 LAD 5th NATURES FURY (#8, 5-1) has had her chances, but she also has largely been in against better in her turf starts. In her races under conditions similar to today's she's turned in the best efforts of her career, at least in terms of Beyers. Those figures give her strong credibility against this field and she can run them all down late given a clean trip and a honest tempo. – Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race
3:15 WO 5th UNBRIDLED WEATHER (#6, 9-2) placed in 2yo stakes on the Tapeta and the main turf two years ago at 2. The strapping bay could get back on the beam in his third start off a one-year layoff with a more forward approach under Nicholls. YOU MULE was competitive in two of his three turf outings in Florida and could run big off a layoff while turning back to a shorter sprint. MOR JOE'S SPIRIT ran to his solid works when wiring maiden special weight rivals following a long layoff in a sprint taken off the turf Aug. 23. His dam was a turf winner who produced two winners from three turf starters. – Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race
3:28 SAR 8th HAMMERHEAD (#6, 8-1) seemed to find himself when given more ground to work with late last year, though thought some of his prior efforts were underrated while having some trips work against him; prefer him on turf, and he switches back after getting wired in each of his last two starts over synthetic. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
4:18 CNL 9th THE BIG CON (#11, 8-1) might lose a few key pacesetters out in front, but the colt still figures as an intriguing improvement candidate in his second start off the break for Clement. After winning a Grade 3 on synthetic as a juvenile, he did not run again until last month, when he took a huge shot in the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby and handled himself rather well despite a keen trip, making up modest ground for fifth with an 81 Beyer. He will run without blinkers this time and should take a step forward in softer company. – Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race
4:23 WO 7th BEACH FACTOR (#2, 12-1) is a DRF Best Best (Ron Gierkink). | Get Past Performances for this race
5:38 DMR 3rd The runner-up finish by JENNYS WINE GIRL (#11, 15-1) last out was flattered when the filly who beat her (Unbinding) returned Thursday to score a decisive win vs. better. 'GIRL runs back at the same N2L starter level, she has speed to be forwardly placed but does not require the lead. The biggest challenge could be the outside post (11). – Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race
5:45 KD 10th Maybe it was just coincidental, and, to be clear, BRILLIANT BERTI (#2, 8-1) has been a good horse all along. But with the addition of blinkers last out in the Green River Island, he really put things together. He seemed far more focused and finished with much better energy than any of his 2026 starts – and I look for that to continue. He's proven over Kentucky Downs and should get a decent enough setup at a fair price. – Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race
5:48 SAR 12th DAYLIGHT DREAMER (#3, 6-1) is a DRF Best (Mike Beer). | Get Past Performances for this race
6:01 LAD 3rd BANDITOSLUCKYLOVE (#3, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race
6:11 DMR 4th STAY IN LINE (#6, 5-1), compromised by an uneasy trip last out, can win this Cal-bred allowance/optional claiming sprint. The rail got her beat last out. She set pace inside, was under pressure every step, hung tough to deep stretch, and weakened. It was a good third-place finish, actually. She moves to the middle of the field (post 6), has speed, but also can rally from behind, and can win first off the claim by Steve Knapp. – Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race
6:17 KD 11th Doubt OBLITERATION (#12, 8-1) will be 8-1, but he might be a very fair price. Probably better on dirt than turf, but is also a much faster horse this year than last, and if you project his 2yo turf form - including a solid showing on the KD course – out to September of his 3yo season, he's probably just faster than these. – Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race
6:29 LAD 4th MAASAI WARRIOR (#2, 8-1) ran quite well on the Evangeline sod only two back. Perhaps he went a bit wide last out, but that was still a good try also. These are easier, yet to try the local sod is the X factor but a good price more than offsets. RUSSELLS HUSTLE is feeling good. New barn is 26% off the claim. This guy likes this sod and sheds the blinkers today. – Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race
6:57 LAD 5th SIR MACK (#8, 6-1) tried the sod for only the second time last out. Was that a test drive? Chances are connections just liked the timing of that race. This gelding is just better on the dirt. Team Schmidt did re-claim this runner two back. Race flow is only average. -Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race
7:21 KD 13th NAMARON (#1, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Get Past Performances for this race
7:25 LAD 6th MAGNIFIED (#7, 12-1) did try a turf route in his debut, which is tough. He actually ran OK in that race. He was washed off in his second start. Class drop did the trick off the layoff and we like that it was again two turns on the sod. What if this lightly raced 3YO isn't done improving? The later we get into the year, the more the playing field tilts in favor of 3YOs. – Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race
7:44 DMR 7th After being overmatched last out in a dirt sprint stakes, TAKING A JOY RIDE (#8, 8-1) returns to turf and shortens to five furlongs in a wide-open Cal-bred allowance. The filly's off-the-pace maiden win two back at SA compares favorably to this bunch. She has tactical speed and a finishing kick. – Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race
9:44 DMR 11th The final race of the DMR summer meet is a maiden turf route first-time gelding HAZAKA (#12, 8-1) can win despite the outside draw (post 12 of 12). His fourth-place comeback last month was decent. Hard-held and pulling his rider early, he uncorked a premature move at the half-mile pole, got hung three-wide fighting for the lead on the far turn (not a winning strategy), then tuckered out. He actually ran well. – Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race
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