DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, September 30, 2021

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.

12:50 GP 1st The Tapeta era at Gulfstream Park begins (hopefully) today with plenty of questions to answer regarding just who will and won’t handle the new surface. In the opener, BIG CITY RED (#1, 6-1) comes off dull showing on dirt but was competitive with better than these earlier this summer on turf. Could offer a little value, be along in time to kick off the meet at a square price. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

1:42 WO 2nd OVERSTATE (#1, 8-1) is going from $25K to $10K for her third start off the shelf, and may have found a field that she can beat. Fukumoto is 4 for 10 at the meet for trainer Ralph Biamonte. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

2:15 WO 3rd GORGEOUS KITTEN (#4, 6-1) ran second to the hard-knocking next-out winner Forester’s Destiny last time in a seven-furlong sprint that was taken off the grass. The versatile 7yo has an inner turf win around two turns on his resume under Santos. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

2:38 BEL 2nd ESCAPEWITHFRIENDS (#2, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race

2:56 GP 5th LADY PUCHI (#6, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Welsch). | Get PPs for this race

3:03 LRL 6th Trainer Graham Motion is 4 for the last 10 (40%, $5.22 ROI) with turf routers adding Lasix when returning from a layoff of 180 to 365 days, and he’ll attempt to add to those numbers with BATYAH (#7, 6-1), who makes first start since a troubled trip in the Grade 2 Jessamine last fall (she was entered in Woodbine’s Mazarine Stakes on Nov. 22, but that race was cancelled due to severe weather). -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

3:27 GP 6th DEL REY DOLLY (#2, 9-2) an improving sort who had last win flattered when runner-up Brittiz returns to beat Fla. bred MSW competition in her next start. Can be along to take another with one more forward move. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

3:34 LRL 7th ALL IN JEST (#7, 9-2) is by a first-crop sire with two debut winners out of stakesplaced turf router All in Fun, a full sister to juvenile Grade 2-placed dirt sprinter and debut winner Tight Ten. The third dam is multiple Grade 1-winning dirt router Fleet Renee. Several of these workouts match up with McGaughey’s juvenile filly Ginger Brew, a debut winner here on Sept. 9 with Forest Boyce aboard (53 Beyer). Perhaps they breezed in company. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

4:06 LRL 8th SPUN GLASS (#2, 9-2) received a nice ride from Feargal Lynch to score at Colonial. Broke sharp, then was taken in hand to stalk the pace outside. Tipped off cover in upper stretch and just got there in the nick of time. Believe she’s adaptable to the pace scenario, but this is likely a tougher spot. Barn is 3 for the last 9 (33%, $2.84 ROI) with last-out winners returning in optional-claiming turf sprints. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

4:11 BEL 5th REGAL SPEAKER (#7, 5-1) improved two back when trying to rally into a rated pace and he was an easy winner last time with a better trip going longer; threat right back after missing at least one start upstate when rained off the grass. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

5:04 WO 8th SENSIBLE PORTIONS (#4, 20-1) is a longshot possibility due to the surface change to the inner turf, with the addition of blinkers and Lasix. The son of good 18% grass sire Society’s Chairman is out of a turf winner who produced three turf winners, including Ethical Funds and Prideofdistinction. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

8:07 RP 1st STOMPING HOTROD (#5, 6-1) cuts back to one turn for the opener and his maiden score came at this six furlong trip. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

9:31 RP 4th IRMA M (#6, 9-2) was right there in her seasonal debut last out and has reason to move forward in her second start since last October. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

11:23 RP 8th FORTHELOVEOFLYDIA (#11, 8-1) is back on turf, site of some of her best races to date. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race