DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, August 20, 2020
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.
1:40 LRL 3rd MONA LUNA (#9, 8-1) didn't have an easy time of it last time out when pushing a fast pace while four wide most of the way. Made a three-wide bid turning into the stretch and held her ground late. Uncle Mo filly is out of a dam that won the Grade 3 Obeah at this distance. Expect a tactical stalking trip while hopefully saving a bit more ground. Shug McGaughey's runners usually fire at Laurel Park as the barn is 8 for 27 (30%, $5.33 ROI) here over the past two years. -Dan Illman
2:29 SAR 4th THREEPOINTNINENINE (#8, 2-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).
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2:40 LRL 5th RISING PERRY (#8, 5-1) received a sharp ride when scoring on the Fourth of July. After going four deep on the first turn, he was able to save ground entering the backstretch, then avoided a loose horse on the final bend. Rising Perry's victory was more workmanlike than anything else and he'll have to improve as he steps up in class, but his tactical speed should have him in a forward position at a solid price. -Dan Illman
3:02 SAR 5th CUSTOMEREXPERIENCE (#1, 3-1) and LEAVEUWITHASMILE squared off in a similar spot last month and it was class-dropping LEAVEUWITHASMILE who prevailed after getting a clever ride to make the running in a race with an uncertain pace scenario. Thought CUSTOMEREXPERIENCE finished an underrated 3rd in that race and he may be able to do get back to one of his better efforts here as he goes off the claim for Rudy. -Mike Beer
4:10 LRL 8th MUCHA MEZQUINA (#9, 9-2) hasn't run a bad race on turf and seeks third straight since being claimed by Salvaggio and returned to the lawn. Thought she looked very good downing entry-level allowance foes at Parx as she was rated off the rail to push the pace from the two path, took over at will turning for home and stayed straight and strong to deny next-out 79-Beyer winner B B's Busted (scored at same level at Monmouth). Showed the ability to adapt to any pace scenario with rallying sprint win here two back and should be in the thick of things when they turn for home. -Dan Illman
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4:58 WO 4th KID'S MISCHIEF (#4, 8-1) is jumping up off a drop-down NW3 score while changing surfaces from Tapeta to the inner turf. Trainer Norm McKnight has solid stats first-time off the claim. -Ron Gierkink
5:20 SAR 9th WUSHU WARRIOR (#3, 20-1) faced much better in his return last time to no avail and now returns to the right level in a race that projects to set up well for him; has won his last two starts for this tag, including that game effort two back when slipping up the rail from a stalking position and then holding off the closers. -Mike Beer
5:36 WO 5th MARTINA'S GALS (#7, 12-1) was only an early factor on debut in a fast maiden special won by the promising Dreaming of Drew. The NY-bred is meeting much easier in this $25K maiden sprint, with Sheena Ryan riding for a capable second-out trainer. -Ron Gierkink
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6:43 WO 7th MIRACLE SILVER (#3, 8-1) encountered traffic problems last time before checking in 1 1/2 lengths in arrears in fourth when boosted back up this N1X class on the grass. The 5yo has done the bulk of his damage on the Tapeta. -Ron Gierkink
7:15 WO 8th CALL HER JOEY (#5, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink).
9:10 CBY 8th COOL EDGE (#3, 9-2) looked so good only three back when breaking his maiden by over 8 lengths. He never got a breather two back and simply tired as the chalk. Then he tried two turns last out and again faltered as the favorite. He returns to a sprint for Diodoro and Arrieta keeps the faith so he gets the tepid nod in here. -Scott Ehlers