DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, July 4, 2024

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.

1:36 BAQ 2nd In a race lacking early pace, ICHIBAN (#4, 6-1) should be in a position to control this on the front end; she obviously has questions to answer, as her form had really fallen apart late last season; yet Linda Rice appears to have worked some fitness into her, and brings her back at her best distance in a soft spot for the level. -David Aragona

2:40 CBY 2nd HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE (#2, 6-1) is a new turf horse. Forget his most recent versus stakes foes as that race was pulled from the grass. Second time this sod can only help. This horse draws fine and is bred to love two turns on the green with his Tomlinsons of 338 and 367. We would love to get that 6-1 morning line. -Scott Ehlers

3:09 BAQ 5th Wanted to lean towards some new faces at the level; COVER THE SPREAD (#4, 6-1) looked like an improving sort for Brittany Russell last season before going to the sidelines; hasn't come back quite as strong in 2 starts since the 9-month layoff, and now she's just dropping into a realistic spot; did meet a live field last time, from which the top 3 finishers all have come back to win with slightly improved Beyers. -David Aragona |

3:40 BAQ 6th CHARGING (#5, 8-1) arguably ran the best race in the Leatherbury two back; broke on top, rated just off some hot fractions before taking over in mid-stretch, only to get nailed late in a race that collapsed; never had a fair chance last time at Monmouth, getting shuffled back and steadied into the turn before racing in tight quarters late; has to get 6F here, but may play out as the frontrunner, a tactic that has worked for him in the past. -David Aragona

4:11 BAQ 7th SCAT TU TAP (#4, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (David Aragona).

4:31 LRC 2nd LISA'S ANGEL (#6, 7-2) was a sharp second beating a few of these at this same level here June 22. She tired just a smidge late but that was at 6 1/2fs. It's a furlong shorter but her only win came at this trip and she's got tactical speed and versatility. -Michael Hammersly

4:50 WO 1st CAIRO CAPER (#2, 8-1) awaited room along the inside before finishing third when debuting in a five-furlong Tapeta dash. The son of 11% turf sprint sire Cairo Prince is the second foal from a turf winner and could be better suited to three-quarters on the main course. -Ron Gierkink

4:52 MTH 7th HARD SPUN FANTASY (#6, 4-1) makes his first start off the claim by trainer Mario Serey Jr., who has been on a good run of late, and he comes off a couple of strong tries on the turf, including his latest, when he made a run on the turn and continued well to the wire; can run them all down on the wire given a clean trip and some help up front. -Kenny Peck

5:55 LAD 3rd TAYSOM (#4, 4-1) runs for a 23% barn and they wisely find this guy another elongated sprint. Second time this dirt can only help and this guy draws much better today after being buried on the rail in his most recent. -Scott Ehlers

6:25 WO 4th TURF AND SURF (#2, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink).

7:10 LAD 6th INSPECTOR PENNY (#7, 6-1) gets off the rail where she broke last in her most recent. She tries 5 1/2 furlongs for the first time and we like it when horses at this level do anything different. Guerrero keeps the faith as this filly goes inside-out post wise. -Scott Ehlers

7:37 LRC 8th GARDEN PARTY (#4, 9-2) debuts with lots of works to indicate she has a foundation for a trainer who has strong debut-win numbers. Some of the works hint at speed, too. All three sibs are multiple winners including Waldorf (42-7-7-5, $169K) and Frankie Machine (44-12-5-11, $109K). -Michael Hammersly