DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, December 14, 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.

12:10 GP 1st BOLKIN (#2, 5-1) and FLASHOVER who have shown enough promise in a.m. to loom dangerous at first asking debuting for this tag. Former appears to have lured Zayas off logical choice SIR BANANA BRIAN who ran credibly at first asking with same kind despite breaking slow, steadying sharply into turn although must note claim for this youngster was voided after the race. -Mike Welsch

1:18 AQU 2nd BEHIND THE COUCH (#6, 4-1) just ran here last Friday, where she faced tougher for twice this price and had a no-chance trip while caught chasing wide throughout; back quickly dropping again with a chance to pull a much better trip. -Mike Beer

2:05 GP 5th BURNAWAY (#5, 6-1) much improved since stretching out switching to Tapeta but now may be facing another question mark if this one goes on grass as expected. Did win the gallop out by many when facing much this same kind last time, taken to be along no matter the surface here. -Mike Welsch

2:42 AQU 5th TO A T (#6, 4-1) snapped a long losing streak when finally given some class relief two back at Saratoga and was claimed; stepped up after a couple of months off last time and ran well again while away last and caught chasing all the way in a race that was holding together up front. -Mike Beer

3:33 GP 8th Turf or tapeta could be a key question for today's main event with many of the key contenders never having tried the synthetic to date. BAIE LONGUE (#9, 5-1) among that group but she should offer some value here stepping up after being forced to run on dirt last time after solid maiden win over Kentucky Downs turf two back. Runner-up that day a Wesley Ward trainee who came out of the race to pair 90 Beyers in two subsequent starts on dirt. Working well for local bow. -Mike Welsch

3:40 AQU 7th BERNT AGAIN (#4, 4-1) ran better than the low figure might make it look when just missing on dirt back in January, as she dueled the pace all the way before just missing to a heavily-favored winner; pulled a similar trip in her next dirt start when putting away an odds-on favorite up front and getting outfinished late; has improved going longer on turf since; threat vs. this kind of field if able to bring that solid recent form back to dirt. -Mike Beer

4:08 AQU 8th TWIRLING VINE (#5, 12-1) looked like he needed that late-season debut last year while green and racing on behind an odds-on winner; improved in his first two starts this year, then had no real chance in that off-turf race at Saratoga two back when failing to break sharply and winding up last; better than he looks and back to dirt with Lasix on. -Mike Beer

5:09 WO 2nd SHEZ A SEALY (#9, 20-1) was in fine form prior to her last lackluster performance, during which she made her way off the live inside part of the track in the stretch to find a clear path. The closer deserves a mulligan with apprentice AV taking over for her fourth race off the shelf. -Ron Gierkink

6:36 WO 5th EMPTY CHAIRS (#2, 8-1) is by the excellent speed/debut sire Maclean's Music. The $10K yearling buy has worked well for this caliber of competition and gets Contreras, who's 6 for 27 at the meet for hot trainer MacRae. -Ron Gierkink

8:03 WO 8th SMOKEN CHLOE (#9, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink).

8:07 RP 1st WIN FOR FUN (#1, 6-1) just ran better and it came on this dirt going a mile. Now this gelding cuts back to his favorite distance of seven panels where he has won 3 of 4. This gelding has tactical speed to help the trip but a good break is key so the rail draw hurts there. This gelding is a sneaky hard trier that has hit the exacta in 11 of 27 career starts. -Scott Ehlers

10:55 RP 7th XYNGIN SPITFIRE (#5, 8-1) was hard to load in her debut and for many a maiden that is big trouble. Yet this gal won nonetheless and did so at 5-1. She has worked three times since. After debuting on the rail, this filly draws much better. We like that connections find a logical spot to face first time winners. -Scott Ehlers