DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, July 17, 2025

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.

2:27 Colonial Downs 8th Race: SYNERGISM (#7, 6-1) might not seem like a serious win candidate on paper, but it feels like there's something in the works; the filly broke her maiden on turf at Delaware in September of her juvenile season, and Servis thought highly enough of that performance to put her in a stakes on dirt next time out; she didn't do any running that day and hasn't raced since; now, she will make her first start for Russell in a reasonable claiming field while getting back to what should be her preferred surface; don't let the price get too high on her. -Patrick Moquin | Get PPs for this race

2:54 Saratoga 4th Race: MACAW (#2, 9-2) didn't earn much of a figure for that win off the layoff in April, but he did keep after a solid pace in that spot before winning easily; got wired in his first start against ither winners, then dropped in for this price and was simply too good for that field while handling a sloppy track; takes the next logical step into his three-life condition for the same tag. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

3:10 Woodbine 1st Race: CRIMSON FOREST (#1, 6-1) is by the late/great Ontario sire Old Forester, the sire of 12% debut winners including champion Pink Lloyd, and her dam was a stakes-placed sprinter. The half-sister to sprinter Crimson Nights ($95K) beat company from the gate in a quick half-mile work in :47.20 June 15. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

3:30 Colonial Downs 10th Race: BAHAMIAN MOON (#12, 30-1) is a dangerous runner getting back to turf, as the mare's last performance on the surface at Tampa Bay Downs was exemplary, as she stalked the pace and peeled off at the end to win with an 86 Beyer; Lightner doesn't get many new arrivals in this manner, but she should know how to handle this one as he returns to his preferred surface. -Patrick Moquin | Get PPs for this race

3:43 Woodbine 2nd Race: WAR IN CHARGE (#4, 6-1) has worked nicely since finishing a flat fifth in his May 30 season opener on the main turf, when he was protected by wavier. He's switching to the main course in this $25K non-three mile with leading rider Pietro back aboard for Tino--they're a combined 3 for 9 at the meet. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

4:00 Colonial Downs: 11th Race AMBAYA (#9, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Patrick Moquin). | Get PPs for this race

4:02 Saratoga 6th Race: HANNA'S HIDEAWAY's (#9, 6-1) dam was a stakes winner over Saratoga turf for these connections, and she broke her maiden in her first career attempt on the surface sprinting; she is also a sister to two turf stakes winners, both of whom were also trained by Serpe; bred for this if ready to go right away. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

4:30 Colonial Downs 12th Race: COVERT KAT (#1, 9-2) clearly needed a break at the end of his 2024 campaign, and the gelding returned last month with a much better performance in a Delaware allowance; he has needed a start or two to sharpen into his top form in the past, but Colonial has typically been a fairly strong course for him and he could be poised for a nice performance. -Patrick Moquin | Get PPs for this race

4:35 Saratoga 7th Race: BLAKE B. (#3, 10-1) will need his best while facing a solid field for the level off the claim, though the best race he was first off the claim for Rudy when running his best recent race in March; off the claim again at a price in a race that projects to set up well for his running style. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

4:49 Woodbine 4th Race: WHERE'S SAMNBAILEY (#7, 6-1) tracked the leaders from a three-wide position on the turn before fading to fifth over a rail-favoring track in her second race off an extended layoff June 14. She could prevail on the drop from $25K to this much easier non-two tilt for $15K claimers, in which she has lots of speed to chase. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

6:19 Saratoga 10th Race: THE CRAFTSMAN (#9, 15-1) was off to a troubled start when outrun early and then failing to make his presence felt in the dirt debut; had a right to need that one, and he is interesting switching surfaces with turf on both sides of his pedigree; Lasix on. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

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