DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, June 18, 2020
With most other North American sports being shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, we hope the sport of horse racing can entertain you during these trying times. 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.
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1:15 BEL 1st YELLOW BRICK ROAD (#5, 6-1) debuted in a strong MSW race last October and took money in that spot before chasing three-wide and failing to make a serious impact while racing on; goes long off the bench but is bred to handle the distance and her debut may be better than it looks. -Mike Beer
3:27 BEL 5th JEROME AVENUE (#3, 6-1) broke his maiden by a nose in his second career start and hasn't won since, though he got in tough while squaring off with stakes-quality Klaravich/Chad Brown runners in each of his next four starts and has mostly concentrated on dirt since then; back to the grass off the re-claim by Windylea/Brown. -Mike Beer
3:59 BEL 6th SHANDIAN (#10, 15-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).
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6:08 BEL 10th BEANS N RICE (#5, 20-1) really only has one creditable effort to her name so far but that race did come sprinting on turf and she ran well that ay while contesting the pace with rivals on both sides and prevailing, only to fall to a stalker late; should be using her speed off the layoff and she will be a price. -Mike Beer
6:10 CBY 2nd GOLD AND SKOL (#7, 6-1) is working nicely for his 3YO debut but that isn't what we like best. He has front speed in a race without much pace. Plus, he draws outside. The Bravo barn is 24% off a long layoff. -Scott Ehlers
6:15 WO 6th PRECIOUS BADGE (#9, 5-2) was hard-ridden when finishing a close third in his comeback going 5 1/2 furlongs, a distance which is shorter than what he prefers. The stretchout to seven-eighths should be ideal here with co-leading rider Stein back in the saddle. -Ron Gierkink
6:40 CBY 3rd DAD'S A GAMBLER (#7, 12-1) is a proven closer that gets a ton of pace to chase. He broke dead last in his most recent but was still able to beat over half the field home. Today's pace is better. Second time this dirt is another plus. -Scott Ehlers
6:45 WO 7th SPARKLE SAMMY (#4, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink).
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7:40 CBY 5th DRAMA CHORUS (#2, 15-1) has improved his Beyer speed figure in three straight races. He has two local works so he should be acclimated to his new surroundings. His best effort to date came in his debut at Tampa where he got a 65 Beyer. -Scott Ehlers
8:10 CBY 6th PURPLE MONSTER (#10, 8-1) ran a Beyer top on this dirt in his debut last summer. He has improved his Beyer speed figure in three straight races. His last race came back key when 2 of 5 returned to win with figs of 83 and 60. Race flow is fine and the price should entice. -Scott Ehlers
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8:38 EvD 5th TAKE THAT FOR DATA (#2, 4-1) turned in an explosive performance last time out at Lone Star Park. He was stuck behind horses to late stretch, finally found room, and took the lead in a matter of strides. He faces a shorter field this time around - and gets to run at home. -Mary Rampellini
10:26 EvD 9th CABO SUNSET (#4, 4-1) was favored at a similar level in her last start when just edged. The race came around two turns and she cuts back to one here for her first start since February and note in her career debut she was third at this trip at Evangeline. She also has an age edge on her chief rivals as she is 4. -Mary Rampellini