DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, August 27, 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.
1:10 SAR 1st POSSE CAN DISCO (#2, 5-1) a firster out of Laura Can Disco, a four-time sprint winner in her career who was also trained by Gullo, and she showed big speed in her races while proving to be effective on both turf and dirt; threat on debut if he can get to the lead vs. a field that has already had their chances, for the most part. -Mike Beer
1:30 GP 4th Load-n-go strategy by MOZANO (#10, 7-2) from his open-air outer box in this bottom-rung mdn.-claiming mile might be enough to get him a loooong overdue breakthrough; gelding with a number of decent efforts to his credit seems to bring a real edge over these moribund rivals; a lucky 13th try upcoming. -Marty McGee
1:40 LRL 3rd STAND MY GROUND (#7, 4-1) might have aimed too high in both starts since graduating for a $25,000 waiver condition in first start following the break. Two back, he fell twenty lengths off a blazing pace in a race that was won by consistent Singapore Flash (came back to run second in an entry-level allowance at Colonial, then won a $25,000 starter allowance at Delaware with stereo 79 Beyers). -Dan Illman
3:10 LRL 6th INSTINCTIVE (#1, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Dan Illman).
3:30 SAR 5th GHOST GIANT (#6, 9-2) made four starts for his prior trainer going longer, including both so far this year, but he was an effective turf sprinter prior to that and he may appreciate getting to go this shorter distance for the first time since last summer up here, where he ran well while twice finishing behind Dowse's Beach. -Mike Beer
3:40 LRL 7th BOX N SCORE (#11, 5-1) has some things to prove as he makes first start following 306-day layoff while breaking from a tough outside post position. Although he received an ideal pace setup in his debut last fall at Belmont (wild scramble going into the first turn, very fast pace up front), he looked good sealing the deal after swinging six wide turning into the stretch. We'll likely learn more about his overall quality as he steps up against winners for the first time, but like that he won fresh going a demanding nine furlongs first out of the box. -Dan Illman
4:06 SAR 6th BELLA ROSE (#9, 8-1) got herself into position and narrowly prevailed to upset maiden claimers in her turf debut as a 2yo, and she improved off the layoff last time while making a game run to challenge around the turn, before getting caught late going seven furlongs; tough post but she has run well in both turf starts to date and still has upside. -Mike Beer
4:25 WO 3rd COMMANDER TOM (#1, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink).
4:41 SAR 7th ROSE FLOWER (#1, 4-1) arrived from France with strong sprint form last year and ran well in all three starts over here, defeated a good allowance field impressively in between a pair of solid stakes tries, including the Autumn Days last November where she got buried in traffic in the stretch and lost all chance; gets a pass for the 2020 debut against Newspaperofrecord. -Mike Beer
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4:58 WO 4th LYRICAL NOTE (#4, 4-1) is descending from $25K NW3 company to an inviting spot for his third start off the bench. The closer could be along in time if he get some pace to chase. -Ron Gierkink
5:40 CBY 1st OMEN OF CHANGE (#4, 9-2) is in good form, gets in light, is often a price, and loves this dirt. That turf try two back was actually better than it looks. Race flow is fine and connections find a good spot. -Scott Ehlers
6:43 WO 7th SALIERI (#6, 6-1) was a hard-trying second in the opening leg of this series July 16, when lane 1 was in use. The speedy chestnut got fried in a pace war most recently in a tough optional claimer on the Tapeta, but he seems made-to-order for this five-furlong turf dash, with the rail in lane 3. -Ron Gierkink
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8:10 CBY 6th MEMOLOTSAMISCHIEF (#7, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers).
8:40 CBY 7th WARRIOR BOSS (#3, 8-1) is the value. We like the combo of third off the layoff and a return to the turf. This barn is very good on the green. This horse should love two turns. We like how he puts three races together off the long layoff. -Scott Ehlers