DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, February 24, 2022

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.

12:56 LRL 2nd QUEEN CADENCE (#1, 9-2) set the pace over muddy going, opened up a clear lead, but was swallowed up by the long stretch and late-runner I Can Run in the final sixteenth. Looks like the controlling speed once again. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

12:59 GP 2nd Second half of the all-all-weather early double is replete with 1-for-16 types such as LUCKY AS A SEVEN (#4, 5-1), whose latest runner-up effort and overall Beyer pattern seems good enough to finally get him through this N2L stage; 7-pound bug a capable sort; J.C. Avila keeps winning his share. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:25 LRL 3rd TAPPIN FOR GLORY (#8, 5-1) might have been compromised by a slow pace when dropped to this level for the first time. Saved ground in a very loose pocket, angled four wide turning for home and was up for second behind Hayne's Fever (returned to finish third in a $5,000 starter with a 65 Beyer). -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:56 LRL 4th NIGHT BOSS (#3, 5-1) pressed the pace from in between horses, opened up a clear lead with 3 1/2 furlongs remaining, came out a bit turning into the lane, bumped with the runner-up and tired late. He's improved with Lasix and has the tactical speed to sit a more patient trip. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:32 GP 5th MORNING COLORS (#2, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marty McGee). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:50 AQU 5th AWESOME AARON (#2, 9-2) debuted sprinting at Gulfstream and lacked the speed to be effective in that race, which was dominated on the lead by a favored firster from the Pletcher barn; stretches right out with blinkers on and there is distance on the bottom of this pedigree. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:25 AQU 6th BREADMAN's (#5, 9-2) lone win to date came in his career debut on turf, after which his next three starts all came vs. stakes rivals; his dirt debut was among those starts vs. tougher and he did not run poorly in that Sleepy Hollow while checking in third behind next-out Remsen winner Brooklyn Strong; liked the way he stayed on last time while back on the main track off the layoff. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:31 LRL 7th The consistent JOYFUL NOISE (#5, 5-1) steps up a notch for Serey barn that is 13 for the last 50 (26%, $3.18 ROI) with dirt sprinters racing in mid-level claimers at Laurel. Tracked a solid pace outside in a race run during a snowstorm, dropped inside on the turn, went after the loose odds-on winner and never stopped trying. Would appreciate a bit of pace to attack. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:57 TUP 3rd LIL' MISS MISCHIEF (#3, 5-1) exits a key race where 4 of 8 returned to either win or place. The win Beyers were 60 and 39. The place figs were 39 and 39. This mare broke 8th of 10 in her debut then showed some tactical speed for a half and then called it a day. That is a typical debut. Class drop for a 5YO making only its second start is fine with us. We like the jock switch to Israel Hernandez and this rider is 8-1-2-0 when riding for this barn. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:11 GP 8th Have to think NEVERSTOPDREAMING (#9, 10-1) can move up off the highly useful 1/13 race, his first in more than 7 months for the ever-capable De La Cerda; chestnut has the style to overcome his outer post in what's clearly one of the deeper races of the day. -Marty Mcgee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:34 TUP 8th PLAYOFF BOUND (#6, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

9:00 WBS (Harness) 7th GOODGOLLYMISSMOLLY (#4, 4-1) was carefully driven in her first start back from a layoff and she looked good at the end of the mile, weaving through traffic with plenty of trot. She can beat these if she lays closer early in the mile. | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets