DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, July 27, 2023
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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.
4:00 SAR 6th LADY ARWEN (#7, 4-1) is by new sire Audible (1 for 11 so far with first-time starters) and sold for $30k after breezing 10.1 in April; dam only went 1 for 9 but is a sister to multiple stakes-winner Mineralogist from a strong Broman female family; shows up with a bullet from the gate for Englehart, who excels with 2yo first-time starters sprinting on dirt. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
4:34 SAR 7th MICROSECOND (#13, 12-1) has only run on dirt since returning from a long layoff this year, but he is better on the grass; ran some very good races on the grass as a 4yo, then managed only one start in 2022, that another solid effort when just caught late by a talented rival; has something to prove now but he is back to grass with speed and he will be a price in here. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
4:50 WO 1st SMALL TALK (#1, 8-1) earned a big/inflated 91 Beyer when beating $25K NW2 rivals in his final 2022 outing in late August. The 6yo couldn't keep up when returning from a 10-month absence June 25, a race he seemingly needed that should set him up nicely for this longer turf sprint. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
5:52 WO 3rd RAT PORTAGE (#2, 8-1) was competitive vs. maiden special and OS/$40K maidens last year. He faded to finish a distant third as the chalk when descending to this $25K class off a long layoff June 2, and has worked twice since for a capable trainer who's removing the hood. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
6:07 CBY 1st CLIMB TO GLORY (#3, 15-1) is by a 12% debut turf sire. Her dam went 14-3-3-2 on the green and earned 84K. This is her first foal to try the grass. This filly has the best turf breeding in this field and is 15-1 on the morning line. She draws fine and even has some tactical speed. As great as her turf breeding is, her distance breeding is even better (distance Tomlinson of 431). Bottom line is that she should love a turf sprint. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
6:18 SAR 10th SON OF A BIRCH (#6, 20-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race
6:22 WO 4th ROOKIE RADAR (#8, 6-1) lacked room heading into the far turn en route to ending up third for the second straight time at this $15K NW2 class three weeks ago. He's changing apprentices to the 10-pound bug Sanchez for the stretchout from 7 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf, and could put it all together. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
7:30 DMR 6th DEVIL MOON (#1, 3-1) drew the rail in this turf sprint, with speed to be forwardly placed saving ground, shortening to five furlongs after dueling and tiring in a dirt sprint at six and a half. Runaway maiden turf winner two back, the front-runner/presser should get an advantageous inside trip in the leading flight. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race
7:50 WO 7th SOUPER SUNSHINE (#9, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Get PPs for this race
8:30 DMR 8th RUFF RIDE (#11, 6-1) is badly compromised by post, the stretch-out filly drew post 11 in this turf mile for Cal-bred maidens. The turf rails are set at 24 feet this card, which has minimal influence on course profile, but the outside draw/potential ground loss is tough to overcome. Nonetheless, 'RIDE is the tepid choice stretching out with two comeback sprints under her belt. She finished willingly in both, fourth and third, and should relish two turns. Progeny of sire Clubhouse Ride certainly run long; full sibling Avalon Ride is a three-time route winner. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race