DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, September 24, 2023

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.

12:50 GP 1st STARSHIP VANITY (#3, 6-1) showed promise despite wide trip in debut and came back to hold own from the gate with a couple of vastly more experienced and accomplished mates last weekend. Steps up, might handle the jump at a bit of a price in opener. -Mike Welsch | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:54 WO 4th HANK OLLIE (#7, 12-1) went four-wide on the turn before closing from off slow fractions to beat $25K maidens on the main turf three weeks ago. He could strike again in this NW2 tilt that contains several inner turf experts who may be vulnerable on the main course. -Ron Gierkink | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:43 BAQ 6th PERFECT SENORITA (#6, 12-1) may get overlooked due to the low-profile connections, but she ran deceptively well in that April 28 race; was rank through the early stages and then stayed inside in a race that featured an outside flow; from a pace standpoint, ran every bit as well as the winner, and will be a generous price as she returns from the layoff. -David Aragona | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:56 GP 7th HUNTER (#2, 6-1) comes off far and away his best yet from a Beyer standpoint when second behind odds on Slim Slow Slider. Might not be catching that kind here. -Mike Welsch | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:03 RP 1st GHOST BAYOU (#5, 5-1) is appealing for her natural speed in a large field of fillies and mares. She's also from a mare who was multiple Grade 2-placed while running out $304K. -Mary Rampellini | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:45 GG 1st RIGHT HAND RYDER (#8, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Steve Andersen). | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:49 BAQ 8th DETECTIVE TOM (#6, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (David Aragona). | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:59 GP 9th AWESOME CITY (#5, 4-1) drops to bottom, ran well enough vs much better in only previous try on the surface to merit a long look with these making second start off a three month hiatus. -Mike Welsch | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:21 BAQ 9th If this gets rained off, H P MOON (#11, 8-1) can rebound on dirt; was basically eased in the stretch last time after setting a fast pace along the rail; not sure the inside was the place to be that day, and now he draws a better post; good sign that there's no drop in class or tag offered on him, and he ran well in the slop two back. -David Aragona | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:09 WO 10th RED LINE OVERDRIVE (#7, 10-1) raced five-wide on the turn while rallying from off a quick pace before ending up third behind the hard-knocking One Bay Hemingway when bumped up to this N1X class off a $40K claim Aug. 27. -Ron Gierkink | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:20 GG 4th ELCONDOR (#4, 5-1) and BIG BENO, who finished sixth and fourth in a starter allowance at six furlongs on Aug. 28, should have conditions more in their favor in this $12,500 claimer for non-winners of two. Elcondor set a quick pace from an inside post in the starter allowance and faded to finish sixth of seven. He is unlikely to face that much pressure in this field and could go gate-to-wire as he did in a $20,000 claimer for statebred maidens at Santa Rosa on Aug. 5 in his first start in 18 months. -Steve Andersen | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:30 HST 4th MILITARY CROSS (#5, 4-1) crushed a field of Md claimers in his last by 5+ earning him the fields top Beyer of 59. Although he will have other speed to contend with, a repeat wouldn't surprise. -Lisa Russell | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:30 HST 6th BROKE AN BROKEN (#5, 6-1) has been in fine form since arriving here this spring from WO, narrowly missing in his last but this will be his toughest ask yet. His trainer Terry Jordan rarely leads one over who's not primed and his rider, Antonio Reyes knows him well. -Lisa Russell | Bet this race with DRF Bets

8:06 LRC 9th WINE AND WHISKY (#3, 8-1), a six-win veteran based in Northern California, ships to SoCal in top form. Runner-up in a fast turf race last out, dead-heat winner two back on turf, the gray can also run well on dirt and finished second his only previous start at LRC. A six-time winner and the only runner in this Cal-bred N1X entered for the optional claim tag, he can wear them down with a pressing trip. -Brad Free | Bet this race with DRF Bets