DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Wednesday, April 29, 2020
With most other North American sports being shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, we hope the sport of horse racing can entertain you during these trying times. 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 p.m. Eastern Tampa Bay Downs 1st race – SOLITARY JACK (#3, 15-1) is an interesting pace play at a big price as he does appear to be the main speed in an opener that is clearly light on early speed. He is eligible to steal this if able to shake loose easily enough and back down the fractions somewhat on a loose lead. – Kenny Peck
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2:30 p.m. Eastern Tampa Bay Downs 4th race – SHAKEM N BREAKEM (#9, 4-1) was off the board in both of his two starts at this level since the win against Kalu and nonwinners of two three back, but he was against the race flow in each of those losses, trying to rally in races where speeds held the edge (note the bold "S" in DRF PPs). He should get a better pace scenario in this sprint, and that should enable him to make an impact in the lane. – Kenny Peck
4 p.m. Eastern Tampa Bay Downs 7th race – THAT QUALITY (#9, 6-1) gets off the rail for the first time in three starts, and that's a plus as even though he scored from the hedge in his debut he lost any chance at the break last time when he broke slowly from the inside and then became rank behind horses. Expecting him to be with the pace today, assuming a clean getaway, of course. – Kenny Peck
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4:15 p.m. Eastern Will Rogers Downs 5th race – OUT ON SATURDAY (#4, 5-1) was hurt by a slow break last time (should’ve been much closer to that modest pace) in a race he might’ve “needed” after a layoff. Solid stepping-stone in any case from that open $15K N2L to this Oklahoma-bred $15K N2L. Doubt he’s as high as listed odds. – Marcus Hersh
4:30 p.m. Eastern Tampa Bay Downs 8th race – TILSA (#1, 6-1) is the first starter out of the dam, who won four races, all of them on the turf, and her trainer has solid numbers with debuting runners going long on the green, with 9 of 28 such runners (32 percent) running first or second. This filly sports a couple of breezes that suggest she'll come out running. – Kenny Peck
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6:15 p.m. Eastern Will Rogers Downs 9th race – VALENTINE GUY (#6, 5-1) is lightly raced and made his first two-turn start last time out. Ran well there and looks like a developing young horse with room to improve this out. On or near what could be a moderate pace. – Marcus Hersh
6:25 p.m. Eastern Fonner Park 4th race – EATON’S MEMORY (#7, 3-1) just rolled a similar group in her Fonner debut. Given her generally consistent performance level, she stands a good chance of doing it again in this minor stakes race. – Marcus Hersh
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8:20 p.m. Eastern Fonner Park 8th race – MR. TICKLE (#3, 8-1) is light on established class compared to the best shippers in the Bosselman, but he’s been at Fonner for a couple months and has two good races over the track. Home-track edge can mean everything at a tricky racecourse like this, and Mr. Tickle has been humming along in peak form for months. Playing to win and in exacta with formidable Pendleton. – Marcus Hersh