DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, March 14, 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.

1:20 AQU 1st LAND D'ORO (#1, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).

2:42 FOREVER COOL (#8, 5-1) exits a quick race and could be somewhat prominent here, on the move from one turn to two. – Mary Rampellini

3:27 AQU 5th WAR CHROME (#3, 5-1) caught a wet track for the debut and looked green in the early part of that race after getting away from the gate well; wound up bumping with a rival at the top of the stretch before getting tired; has a lot of turf in his pedigree but can give him another chance at a price as he adds Lasix for this; Giangiulio has only started three prior horses in this situation (maiden, second career start) and two of them won. – Mike Beer

4:10 GP 7th DON'T LET ME DOWN (#1, 10-1) took ton of money then tossed head and walked out of gate a half dozen lengths behind field last time before ultimately getting within a half-length or so of second and then galloping out ahead of field. Takes big step up off claim but deserving of another chance if able to leave with others. – Mike Welsch

4:31 AQU 7th TOWHEAD (#4, 7-1) was fine on turf as a juvenile but she improved when switched to the main track last winter to win back-to-back routes on fast dirt; tried three straight graded races to no avail before the 3yo campaign was cut short, and she might have gained fitness from the return while chasing and getting tired after a terrible start (was ultimately declared a non-starter); stretches out a furlong for the second start back. – Mike Beer

6:35 TUP 5th FUERTEVENTURA (#3, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers).

8:35 TUP 9th FREE AND HUMBLE (#7, 5-1) is a proven turf runner that can get the distance. Isn't that half the battle? We like that she has worked twice since her last race. She has some tactical speed to help the trip. Espinoza gets a leg up and is 2 for 3 for this barn. There is some speed in this race so we expect a stalking trip. –Scott Ehlers