DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, September 22, 2022

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.

2:05 BAQ 1st Some big pedigrees among the first time starters in this opener, and want to lean towards a couple at bigger prices. QUARREL (#10, 12-1) goes out for low-profile connections, but she's by excellent sire Speightstown, and is a half to stakes-placed turfer Daunt; attracts Prat and has worked well for her debut, including a few drills in company with stablemate Quiescent (3rd on debut, 63 Beyer). -David Aragona | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:00 LRC 1st BABY GRONK (#8, 4-1) escapes the turf and let's face it....it wasn't his favorite at 4-0-0-0. This gelding gets good race flow and has hit the exacta on this dirt in four of five starts. Heck, that win only two back fits perfectly here. Even his win rider returns in Vazquez. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:50 WO 1st MAYOR OF ESSA (#2, 6-1) got away slowly before closing four-wide to finish fourth when going long for the first time at a notch higher July 29. The 4yo son of Giant Giamo has worked nicely since, four times in total, and could put it all together with Fukumoto back in the saddle. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:05 LRC 3rd GOLD SWITCH (#4, 10-1) is by a 2 for 9 debut sire (2YO's only). Her dam went 10-0-1-2 and earned 31K. Two of three sibs won but only once each. This barn is 0 for 7 with debut types but we like the work tab here and don't think this field came up all that tough. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:45 BAQ 8th Thought SNICKET (#2, 4-1) ran deceptively well last time as she broke a step slowly and was forced to rate inside; was traveling keenly with nowhere to go at the quarter pole before finally shaking loose once the winner got the jump on her; isn't catching the toughest field for this level and possesses tactical speed in a race lacking much pace. -David Aragona | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:06 LRC 5th SHE'S GOT A WAY (#3, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:15 BAQ 9th SPICY GINGER (#2, 5-1) was away slowly in her debut and made a mild move before flattening out; while her pedigree isn't overtly turfy, her best sibling Cotton Candy Cutie did run well on this surface without winning; was entered and scratched from a MSW on turf at Saratoga, and has worked well on the grass upstate; expecting improvement. -David Aragona | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:32 WO 6th GUITAR GEORGE (#1, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

10:27 RP 6th CITY DRIFTER (#5, 8-1) can make a real impact with a repeat of his effort from June at Indiana. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

10:55 RP 7th VICTORY BOULEVARD (#3, 6-1) was fourth against a quality kind of winner in his most recent start. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets