DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, July 1, 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.
1:20 GP 2nd UNCLE ARMANDO (#4, 15-1) moved way up with the addition of blinkers, closing nicely to break his maiden at 50-1, posting a Beyer well above his previous high; can repeat today if he runs back to that effort, a decent possibility given his running style and the projected race flow, as the fractions could be quick and contested. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:49 WO 2nd MY DAD ROCKS (#3, 12-1) battled three-wide on the turn with two others and then put away the other speed before fading to finish 4 1/4 lengths back in seventh in a deceptively decent performance in her comeback. The blinkers come off and she’s picking up Boulanger, who has looked just fine in the saddle since returning from knee surgery. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:02 BEL 3rd KERIK (#7, 4-1) looked super blasting rivals in slop here May 29. If she doesn’t get slop today that’s no bother, either, as she got her diploma on dry land at GP a few months ago. In that May 29 win she bide her time and rolled past her rivals before drawing clear late to win impressively. She drops in price, which is a tad disconcerting (they don’t give anything away out here), but Ortiz Jr. stays for a barn having a big meet and she’s worked well since. -Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:25 GP 4th HAPPY LOUDON (#1, 6-1) has high speed and may be the main speed in this turf sprint, which is otherwise relatively short on pace; adds blinkers and gets the rail, which should only help him get to the lead, as long as he breaks cleanly from the hedge. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:56 GP 5th HOUSE WRECKER’s (#3, 4-1) dam posted her lone win on the turf but she has produced three winners from as many starters, and among them is Lil’s Fast Boy, who won eight races, all of the sprints on the main track; totes a couple of works that hint at some speed and she doesn’t meet the deepest of fields. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:27 GP 6th SOMETHING MAGICAL (#5, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:24 WO 7th SKYWIRE (#7, 4-1), last year’s champion older male main track runner, peaked last July when capturing the G2 Eclipse before ending up second in the G3 Seagram Cup. His comeback at Turfway contained two next-out winners, and victorious Visitant subsequently finished second in a G2 at Churchill with a 100 Beyer. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:54 WO 8th CANDY’S DREAM (#8, 6-1) finished a lapped-on second first-time out last year in a maiden special turf sprint, but it was all downhill after another second on the grass later in June. The nicely-bred Candy Ride filly is dropping from $25K to $15K for her return from a sabbatical, and should be prominent in her first try for a capable conditioner. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
6:10 CBY 1st LATTE DOLCE (#6, 9-2) is by a 7% debut turf sire. Her dam was un-raced. Two of four sibs won on the grass with the other two hitting the board. This filly cost 155K and did finish a solid second in her debut at Keeneland. What if this horse just hated the Fair Grounds? Since her best race came in her debut doesn’t that bode well for today? -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:10 CBY 3rd TRADE DEADLINE (#3, 4-1) is a DRF best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:40 CBY 4th PEPPER SPRAY (#9, 6-1) is by a 15% debut sire (all sire stats are for 2YO’s only). His dam went 43-9-9-2 and earned 106K. Lone sib is 11-3-2-2 and banked 66K. Works are perfect. CAUSE I’M LEAVIN is by a 11% debut sire. His dam went 4-0-1-0 for 7K. Lone sib is 9-1-5-2 and earned 84K. Bullet work bodes well. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
9:10 CBY 7th FLASH OF PROMISE (#3, 4-1) has run well in both starts but needed a little help from the stewards to win last out. Check out that 3rd best of 98 work prior to maiden breaker. New barn in Diodoro and they find a spot where this new gelding can’t be claimed. As long as the 2 stays in then the pace will be legit for this closer. Wade is a good fit for this horse. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets