DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026
:quality(75))
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.
1:44 SAR 2nd RELATIVE RISK (#1, 15-1) gained useful experience in the turf sprint debut when off slow and finishing with some late interest. Dam was a two-time winner sprinting on dirt, and she is a sister to dirt stakes winner Joevia. Can improve quickly for an underrated trainer. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
3:08 CNL 9th MR. FUNTASTICO (#4, 8-1) has been claimed in each of his last two starts and will now run back for a $16,000 tag for Magee. The gelding regressed in his last start at Laurel in June, but he dueled that day and couldn't handle the pressure. He did much better stalking earlier that month and is a prime candidate to get back on track at Colonial. – Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race
3:29 SAR 5th SCARLET'S DREAM (#6, 10-1) used the waiver in her first two starts back from the long layoff. She was against a speed-favoring track in the first of those, then went to Laurel and got wired again. She has improved since, and this step back in class works for her. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
3:40 CNL 10th DRILLING FOR GOLD (#9, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Patrick Moquin). | Get Past Performances for this race
4:04 SAR 6th SPINNING COLORS (#6, 10-1) won't be able to withstand a late run from FIONN, assuming that one is ready off the layoff, but she lands in a race where her speed plays as she stretches back out, and she loves Saratoga. Needs her best. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
5:49 SAR 9th Yaupon (18% with first-time starters) gelding ROYAL ENCLOSURE (#4, 8-1) looks well-prepped to make this belated debut with a trio of quick half-miles from the gate showing, and Abreu has also put this horse in company with a pair of workmates several times to get him some added experience. Of interest at first asking. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
8:05 DMR 7th LEE'S BABY GIRL (#6, 5-1) and KUWAITYA (#4, 5-1) top this turf sprint for N2X fillies and mares. It's a close call between the pair. LEE'S BABY GIRL gets the nod based on a last-out starter allowance turf sprint win at SA and one-two finishes in three turf sprints at DMR. The most-recent win by 'GIRL was flattered when the third-place finisher returned to win. – Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race
8:08 CBY 5th SON OF MO (#1, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race
8:36 DMR 8th GABRIEL'S GIFT (#9, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Brad Free). | Get Past Performances for this race
8:38 CBY 6th EIGHTYSIXCHEVY (#4, 7-2) just loves it here. What if he just hates Tampa? Added distance is the X factor but it should help that this guy is the speed in here. Team Padilla is 19% on the stretch-out. This gelding has drawn the rail when sprinting in five of his last six local starts, so maybe, just maybe, drawing more outside will help. Or . . . this guy just likes the inside. – Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race
9:08 CBY 7th LACE UP (#6, 9-2) ran great off the layoff when second at 7-1. He tried tougher in his most recent and simply tired late. Now he puts three races together and drops into restricted foes. Race flow is more than fair. – Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.