DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

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.

1:43 BEL 2nd BEACH COLT (#1, 6-1) has to prove that he can still perform effectively after a dismal showing at Churchill last time, though a poor start compromised his chances; it's not that hard to excuse that effort, and he was in pretty good form prior to that; his early speed figures to make him especially dangerous with that quick run to the turn given that most of his pace rivals are drawn outside. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

1:58 LRL 5th IT'S NANCYTIME NOW (#12, 6-1) will have a tough task from the far outside post, but Klesaris has had her in turf sprints in her last two starts and she has done her best work; in July, she broke her maiden with a 66 Beyer, and that came after her trainer had entered her for a $25,000 tag in her first three starts; she held her own in a much tougher allowance at Colonial next time out and should be dangerous in this company. - Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race

2:29 LRL 6th DR. EVANS (#6, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Patrick Moquin). | Get Past Performances for this race

2:36 KEE 4th EAT HAY RUN (#4, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Get Past Performances for this race

3:01 LRL 7th SLEEPWALKER (#10, 9-2) has finished fifth in each of her last two starts in tougher allowance company, earning a 72 and 73 Beyer for those respective efforts; Russell is sensibly giving her some class relief in this spot, and though the post is challenging, she's hard to deny as an obvious contender. - Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race

3:23 BEL 5th The recent form of NEUSCHWANSTEIN (#6, 8-1) definitely leaves something to be desired, but thought this horse showed some subtle signs of his old self coming to Belmont last time; the trip didn't work out at all, as he was shuffled out of position on the backstretch and took a ton of kickback along the inside on the turn as his rider struggled to prevent him from lugging in; still was staying on late against a better field than this; now gets appropriate class relief and an upgrade to Jose Lezcano; expecting better this time. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

3:47 WO 2nd GO GIFFEN (#6, 8-1) is turning back to a sprint on the main turf and could show more early zip than usual after breezing a quick half-mile last Saturday. She could mow down the speedy SHINING SILVER in the stretch en route to a comfortable score. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

3:57 BEL 6th CUYLLE (#4, 6-1) would probably be the favorite in this race if he weren't going out for trainer that was winless on the year; ran one of the better turf races of anyone in this field when finishing 5th in the Bertram F. Bongard last time, and it's not as if he had an ideal trip, losing some position with poor cover at the 1/4-pole; also got a terrible trip two back at Saratoga when spun wide on both turns; has run better than it appears on turf, and now drops in against a field that he should be able to beat. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

4:05 LRL 9th WILLISTON WIZARD (#3, 6-1) has been considered for turf a number of times and has not yet managed to get on the surface for Allard; sire St Patrick's Day is the key here, as that runner started on dirt in the U.S. before cobbling together a tidy career on the grass in Europe; this gelding has been reasonably solid in three starts on dirt, but the switch could unlock more with some class relief. - Patrick Moquin | Get Past Performances for this race

4:20 WO 3rd SPEIGHTS WILL (#7, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Get Past Performances for this race

4:44 KEE 8th EXCELLENT (#3, 20-1) had a demanding trip through traffic for a first-time starter, and not only did all that was asked of him, he finished off that CNL sprint full of run and galloped out well enough. I think he'll route, he's been training with some verve (based on work video) over the KEE surface, and ought to be a square price. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

4:52 WO 4th HENNA GAL (#8, 15-1) is the speed of this route on the grass, over which she's yet to compete. She doesn't have much turf breeding, but the daughter of 12% turf route sire Code of Honor has a chance to go coast-to-coast with the rail in the speed-friendly lane 3. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

5:05 BEL 8th Not thrilled with a few of the experienced options who competed at Saratoga this summer, so want to explore some newer faces; TERTIA TIME (#5, 15-1) debuts for Bruce Levine, who is an underrated trainer with first time starters; Mendelssohn is a solid turf influence and the dam won on turf; her best sibling Kayla's Komet is a dirt horse, but there is some grass if you dig deeper in this pedigree, as the 2nd dam is a full-sister to BC Turf Sprint winner Mizdirection; Javier Castellano typically gets a leg up on live mounts for this barn. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

5:16 KEE 9th Not much doing from her barn with regard to older first-timers debuting in turf-route MSWs, but the sample is small, and TAKE THE HELM (#6, 12-1) interests me. One workout video far from definitive, but thought she traveled well and looked fit enough. The work times and pattern suggest as much, and this race could be ripe for the taking. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

6:55 WO 8th First-time starter SOUPER SPINNER (#10, 8-1) was outworked by a decent 2yo the other day, but the daughter of former leading Ontario sire Souper Speedy might be good enough to get the job done in this bottom maiden claimer. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

7:30 RP 1st BRON AND BROW (#8, 5-1) has been a tough ol' warrior for a long time and his recent work shows there's still gas in the tank. That work has all come vs. tougher, too, so not only is there a drop he might get a nice set-up as there's speed in here for him to stalk. - Michael Hammersly | Get Past Performances for this race

9:50 RP 6th BON VOYAGE (#9, 6-1) comes off a couple seconds to start his career. Both were sprints and he's bred to prefer this longer trip. That sprint speed can have him in it from the start. Seven of his nine sibs are winners including Counterspy (29-8-4-2, $363K,1 G3 SP). - Michael Hammersly | Get Past Performances for this race

10:18 RP 7th SHIP THE MONEY (#3, 8-1) came back from a long layoff here Sept. 18 for half this tag, with blinkers, and blasted rivals in a big wire-to-wire win. Getting doubled in value is most encouraging as it could be he's come back a new horse. - Michael Hammersly | Get Past Performances for this race