DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, September 21, 2023
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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.
2:07 BAQ 3rd Some may overlook HIGHER QUALITY (#3, 10-1) due to the low-profile connections, but he's been steadily improving since getting claimed by this outfit; Chatterpaul is in the midst of a strong season, getting many prices to outrun their odds; loved the way this guy kicked in last time to run down a loose leader at Pimlico; this spot is tougher, but his tactical speed should play well here. -David Aragona | Get PPs for this race
4:17 BAQ 7th Many regard TIDE OF THE SEA (#2, 10-1) as a pure marathoner, but he's actually run some of his better races going a bit shorter; his Fort Marcy effort going this distance would make him awfully tough against this field, and he didn't even run that badly after running off in the Belmont Gold Cup; hoping Katie Davis takes no prisoners on the front end once again. -David Aragona | Get PPs for this race
4:40 WO 1st POLA STAR (#8, 8-1) was a prominent fourth when making her belated season debut two weeks ago under the hot bug Vives, who stays aboard. The daughter of Big Screen could put it all together in her third career start for a trainer who's been hinting of late that she's poised to get off the schneid at the meet. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
4:49 BAQ 8th BREW PUB (#9, 8-1) feels like the type who could fly under the radar in this competitive optional claimer; don't want to hold that poor result against him last time, as he was facing tougher rivals in a race that lacked pace; his prior form makes him logical and the outside draw should give Junior Alvarado some options; perhaps not a winning type, but all 3 victories have come at Aqueduct. -David Aragona | Get PPs for this race
5:10 WO 2nd LULU'S LULLABY (#9, 6-1) faded from third to fourth in early stretch before coming back on for third behind a next-out winner in her improved last start on the inner turf. Her lone Tapeta race wasn't anything to write home about, but she deserves a mulligan in her first try under leading rider Kimura. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
5:21 BAQ 9th UTAMARO (#7, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (David Aragona). | Get PPs for this race
6:10 WO 4th ANSELMO (#1, 8-1) ran against an inside/speed bias when fourth vs. $25K NW2 types most recently and got a 68 Beyer, which nearly matched the Beyer par of 69 for this $15K NW2 class. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
7:40 WO 7th After missing the first half of the year, TIMESKIP (#5, 8-1) has two seven-furlong main turf races under his girth and could prevail on the stretchout to a route on the Tapeta here at a square price. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race
10:55 RP 7th GET SERIOUS (#8, 4-1) picks up a tad more real estate and she seems like one who will make good use of the added ground. Her maiden win came at this mile distance and her most recent score was over a mile and a sixteenth. GET SERIOUS also owns a strong collection of Beyer Speed Figures and is a half-sister to Dyna's Lassie, a stakes winner on turf who ran out $182K. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race