DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, Sept. 24, 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.

1:45 BEL 2nd WESEEULATOR (#8, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (David Aragona). | Get Past Performances for this race

2:20 BEL 3rd Wasn't thrilled with the likely favorites in this competitive optional claimer; EMERGENCE (#8, 8-1) is an intriguing claim by Jamie Ness, who excels with his dirt router acquisitions; 4YO has spent most of his career on turf, but his best efforts have arguably come on dirt; didn't run that badly when chasing home graded stakes quality foe Chunk of Gold with a wide trip at Keeneland; draws well outside and should be the right price. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

4:05 BEL 6th Have to give EXPENSIVE CUT (#12, 8-1) another chance after liking him last time at a big price; had run better than it looks for Mertkan Kantarmaci coming into that start, but wasn't too pleased with the ride he got up at the Spa; broke well, but was rated into the clubhouse turn and subsequently got very rank; this is not a horse that likes getting strangled in traffic, so the switch to an outside post going a mile at Belmont is ideal for him; has to hold his form off the claim for Rob Atras, but the price should be fair. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

4:17 WO 3rd PIPINNA (#4, 8-1) raced quite wide throughout over an inside/favoring track last time when a chalky fifth at this $15K non-two class. She can rebound in this identical spot with Maragh gaining the mount for a live barn. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

5:15 BEL 8th THUNDERTAKER (#4, 12-1) looks a little ridiculous on paper, having never run fast enough to win this and switching to turf with an obscure pedigree; thought he ran better than it appears in both Saratoga starts for Rob Atras, setting a fast pace and never changing leads two back before he was unwisely rated against a tougher field last time; the pedigree for turf is a bit hidden, but it's there; half-sibling Flight Control did run one of her career-best races in a turf sprint, his dam is a half to G3 Elkhorn winner and G1-placed turfer Drama Critic, and the 2nd dam was a G2 winner on grass. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

5:24 WO 5th DIVINELY INSPIRED (#9, 10-1) couldn't cut it when sprinting vs. non-two OS/$40K stock. The drop to $25K is a huge one and the stretch-out to a route should be suitable this daughter of Constitution, who's bred to go long. - Ron Gierkink | Get Past Performances for this race

5:29 CD 2nd We'll try the blinkers-on horses one-two. THAT'S A BENJAMIN's (#2, 5-1) lone race among three in which she was entered for dirt was good enough to put her in the mix - she's a fourth-time starter and still can do better (even dropped to $100K maidens), especially if blinkers help. Only one recent work video up, but it might've been instructive. Sept. 17, went inside her company, responded well under nearly no urging when workmate came to her past eighth pole. Went back to next-most recent work video, June 20, and, really, she looked like a different horse in September - not just more focused and into the drill, but has advanced physically, or so it seems. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

5:54 WO 6th PRETTY LIZA (#5, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Get Past Performances for this race

6:00 CD 3rd AMAZING LADY (#1, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Get Past Performances for this race

6:59 CD 5th One work video up for first-timer FUSTA (#6, 8-1), Aug. 20, out of gate in the slop. About as sharp a break as you'll see from a first-time starting 2yo - maybe it was just fondness for surface, but really like the way he traveled start to finish. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

8:26 CD 8th BANDOLIM (#3, 12-1) only fourth and no match for top three debuting at KD - but I liked his race. Had his path taken away when trying to go through a hole at the quarter pole - he's a big guy, and getting stopped and having to reposition curbed his momentum. Stumbled a couple times on the turn, and stumbled again inside the final furlong - doubt he was loving that course. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

9:22 RP 5th HONOR SOCIETY (#3, 10-1) is a major upgrade candidate, not only coming several recent races where she was against speed-friendly race flows but also due to the most recent turf race, two back, when she had enough trouble to cost her several placings; she can surprise at a square price if she gets a clean trip and some pace to chase. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

9:50 RP 6th TATE BATZ (#11, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get Past Performances for this race

11:42 RP 10th TEXAS SPLENDOR (#5, 6-1) debuts for trainer Karen Jacks, who has a good record with debut runners in dirt sprints going back five years (seven-for-29, 24% win rate, $4.14 ROI); this filly is the first starter out of a dam who won six races and earned $114K and she sports a few works that suggest she has some speed. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race