DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, Sept. 17, 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.

4:12 WO 3rd HOPE SHE FIRES (#2, 8-1) weakened late to third after putting away the other speed last time vs. $7.5K non-two stock, which followed her victory over $10K maidens. Her hot trainer has good stats off a claim and she shouldn't be out of her league here vs. $15K non-two types. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

4:42 WO 4th RARIFIED (#1, 8-1) bobbled at the break before rushing up to set the pace en route to finishing an improved second when dropping to non-three OS/$40K company under Samuel two weeks ago. She's cheapening up again to contest another main turf sprint and could prove tough to catch. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

5:10 CBY 1st DOKKODO (#6, 12-1) ran great in his debut at Turfway all while going two turns which is no picnic. He has gone downhill since hence his arrival here. Did something go awry in his last race hence the time off? The meet ends on the 19th so connections could have dropped this guy into claimers. After all, he was claimed for $7,500. The fact that they don't is encouraging. He is bred to love the green and two turns with his turf and distance Tommies of 326/354. One more chance it is. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

5:29 CD 2nd COOL AMERICAN (#8, 6-1) didn't move forward the way one would've hoped in her most recent and second turf race, but, then, she also hasn't started since that June 21 contest. Her sixth, beaten less than six lengths, in the May 7 turf heat at CD is the best single race anyone in this muddled group has turned in. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

5:45 WO 6th GLASWEIGIAN (#3, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Get Past Performances for this race

6:00 CD 3rd Liked LOADED FOR BEAR's (#3, 8-1) work video best among all those available for the first-timers. Other works in the pattern yielded times that suggest they, too, might have been good. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

7:40 CBY 6th MAX VEGAS (#3, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race

8:10 CBY 7th NAVARRE (#4, 9-2) is another improving 3YO late in the year. We really liked that six furlong effort only two back. Americano jumps on board and is 36% for team Bethke. Race flow is average so that neither helps nor hurts. The return of Lasix can only help. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

8:26 RP 3rd MIGHTY MESSAGE (#2, 10-1) could prove to be the one they have to fear late, as he has shown he can take just off the pace and make one run, and this short dash has no shortage of early zip; big threat if ready in his first start in over three months. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

8:26 CD 8th PHANTOM SLAYER (#4, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Get Past Performances for this race

9:50 RP 6th FLAT OUT PRIME (#11, 12-1) is from the barn of Scott Young, who is always a threat with his firsters, in fact saddling Miss Alva to a debut score here Saturday night; dam's lone score came on synthetic and her two runners were a combined 0-for-five but the appeal lies in the connections. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

11:14 RP 9th DIVINE WIND (#1, 9-2) emerges from an abbreviated sprint and will likely look to steal this given the inside draw, as racing on the front end does seem to be her best game; there's not all that much early zip in this short field and she could well be quickest of them all out of the gate. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

12:10 RP 11th PERFECT PRANKSTER (#4, 10-1) was off the board in his first try on the green but he did have early trouble there and he was able to earn a respectable Beyer; should benefit from the experience, and also has room to improve in his second start following the freshening. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race