DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, February 25, 2021

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.

12:25 LRL 1st GOODLUCKCHUCK (#4, 6-1) has won three of his last four on dirt and looked good stretching out around multiple turns for the first time when wiring them at Charles Town. Forged to the front along the inside, took pressure from 9 to 1 shot Itgot Grandma, put that one away on the third bend, then rebuffed the stretch challenge from odds-on favorite V.I.P. Ticket. Doesn’t need the lead to win and is proven over the course. Note he was listed as a vet scratch here on February 7. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:48 LRL 4th FIVE CARD DRAW (#7, 5-1) pushed very hot fractions along the inside and was the only part of the pace still standing at the end of recent 6 1/2-furlong affair (Big Boots and Ticker Tape Parade came from sixth and last, respectively, after the first call). Trainer John Robb is 13 for the last 47 (28%, $2.57 ROI) with older low-level claimers in dirt sprints. Think he can get close to the pace while in the clear. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:08 GP 3rd Looking for an effective late run here from GREENWOOD DRIVE (#5, 9-2) as she goes turf-to-dirt while turning back from a mile; enough opposing signed on to perhaps lead to an up-front meltdown; up to her to finally kick on after young Liz raced her into shape. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:23 AQU 3rd BROOKLYN LAW (#4, 9-2) was making his dirt debut off the layoff last time when proving to be no match late for a rival he will be meeting again in this spot. but he did some good things in that race after being rated back off a moderate pace, and then catching some traffic coming to the stretch; facing tougher here but thought he ran well in that last one and can give him the chance to step forward at a price. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:02 OP 3rd RAHWAY (#8, 6-1) ran a strong race off an extended layoff last out, setting the pace to the later stages and finishing third to SEEDS OF TIME. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:41 GP 6th SHIKAKA (#3, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marty McGee). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:48 LRL 8th PLOT THE DOTS (#5, 7-2) had the misfortune of chasing sharp Dixie Drawl in his last three, but gets away from that rival here and think he’ll appreciate cutting back slightly in distance. Tracked the quick pace from a loose pocket last time, couldn’t match the winner’s acceleration on the second turn and held second while no threat to Dixie Drawl. Consistent Beyers, but might need Closer Look and Shotski to tangle up front. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:55 AQU 6th DOCTOR DOOM (#4, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer) | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:12 GP 7th Quite the sizable jump here for both CODRINGTON (#2, 6-1) and UNA LUNA (#2, 6-1), going from easier ‘beaten’ races into this starter, but it sure seems like the race shape will favor something to come from off it, given how JABUTICABA and Irad figure to face pressure from the get-go from a couple of 5yos to her outside, KATIELEIGH (stretching out from 5-panel dashes) and the NY-bred SHORT POUR, whose natural speed probably will be further enhanced by the 3-month-plus layoff. Nice wakeup from the NY-bred Codrington in that Feb. 3 score, which perhaps gives her the edge over ‘Luna; both should be able to save enough ground to be able to pounce when ready. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:17 LRL 9th MICE AND MEN (#2, 9-2) makes third start following lengthy layoff with improving Beyer Speed Figures on display. Saved ground in the early portion of most recent start, ended up in behind rivals turning for home, and wove his way through traffic to finish ahead of four of these with a nice gallop-out. He did receive a hot pace to attack in that spot, however, and might need a similar situation this afternoon. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:25 AQU 7th BLINDWILLIE MCTELL (#4, 6-1) has some questions to answer as he looks for his first victory since taking the Mike Lee back in May of 2019, not least of which is the fact that he was listed as a very scratch from a similar spot last month; went 0-5 last year as a 4yo but he was facing better horses right along and he did earn the best Beyer of his career off the layoff at Saratoga; one more chance as he drops into the right kind of race for the first time in a while. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:55 AQU 8th CAPE COD GEM (#9, 8-1) dropped to this level last time and showed speed in a race that ultimately fell apart after the favorite dropped hid rider in the stretch; will take his speed from the outside as he keeps an aggressive rider. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:09 OP 7th LULLABY BLING (#4, 12-1) came rolling through the lane last out and was just edged and for the effort earned what ranks as this field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:10 OP 9th MARION FRANCIS (#5, 3-1) makes the move to two turns here and given the fractions she attended last time looks like a candidate to take these gate to wire. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets