DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, October 9, 2025
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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.
Post Time: 1:00 ET
Track: Keeneland (1st Race)
Horse: MERCILESANIHILATOR (#7, 6-1)
MERCILESANIHILATOR runs for a $40K claiming tag. First impulse might be to dismiss, but thinking it through, if one felt the horse had strict limitations and a poor long-term outlook, wouldn't this be the time to run in an eminently winnable spot? Win and get claimed and the windfall is roughly $75K. Sure, you take a loss, but at least it eats into the loss. Is this that kind of race for Mercilesanihilator? Maybe. Debut win at CD and two stakes to date. -Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 2:36 ET
Track: Keeneland (4th Race)
Horse: QUEEN DANCING (#6, 12-1)
QUEEN DANCING is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 3:20 ET
Track: Belmont at the Big A (5th Race)
Horse: FIGHTFORALLEGIANCE (#1, 10-1)
Track: FIGHTFORALLEGIANCE is by excellent first-out sire Violence (20% with juvenile first-time starters); the dam was a stakes winner sprinting on dirt, and this is her first foal; Rice 4 for her last 16 with 2yo first-time starters sprinting on dirt, $3.29 ROI. -Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 3:53 ET
Track: Belmont at the Big A (6th Race)
Horse: THAT'S FUNNY (#2, 8-1)
THAT'S FUNNY only earned a Beyer of 57 for the maiden win when turned back in distance in May; thought that effort was better than it might look on paper as she raced wide throughout after a slow start, and she has finished behind wire-to-wire winners in both dirt starts since. -Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 4:23 ET
Track: Belmont at the Big A (7th Race)
Horse: ALEXIS ZORBA (#8, 5-1)
ALEXIS ZORBA finally got the class relief he needed when scoring as the favorite two starts back; not sure what the plan was last time, but being taken back to last behind a rated pace clearly cost him, and he might have run the best race that day, as well; just needs a better trip with Rosario sticking. -Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 8:52 ET
Track: Remington (5th Race)
Horse: GET FROSTY (#9, 5-1)
GET FROSTY seems to have found her niche going two turns on turf. She was favored against similar last out and ran a good second. -Mary Rampellini | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 10:44 ET
Track: Remington (9th Race)
Horse: INTO SENSE (#7, 4-1)
INTO SENSE was third to a next out stakes winner last time and the start came in a two-turn turf race. The start gives her an experience edge on most of these. -Mary Rampellini | Get Past Performances for this race
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