DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Wednesday, August 16, 2023

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.

2:18 SAR 3rd VEGAS WEEKEND (#5, 10-1) scored for this tag over this distance three starts back after sitting a pace-tracking trip, before moving up in class off the claim; has been given some time since being taken by these connections out of that last one; tactical mare has the back races to strongly contend vs. this field, and she might get lost in the shuffle a bit with several options available in this well-matched group. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

3:26 SAR 5th FRONT MAN (#5, 6-1) was ready to go this distance off the layoff back in June and finished strongly into an even pace to score with a new top figure; moved up to this level last time and ran well gain while having little chance to close significant ground into a moderate pace; four-time winner needs a trip but he fits well in this spot. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

5:10 SAR 8th THUNDARA (#6, 12-1) debuted for a tag earlier in the meet, where she had the far outside after drawing in as an AE. Always traveled in that race while confidently handled, and she won that race easily despite still looking very green in the stretch; has some pedigree behind her and she is confidently hiked up in class for the second start, and she should be a fair price in this spot. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

4:44 SAR 9th TRUE MARTINI (#5, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race

7:35 CBY 4th NOBLE PURSUIT (#4, 2-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race

8:05 CBY 5th INTER MIAMI (#1, 9-2) ran evenly in his most recent and it was his first on this dirt. We bet he improves second time this surface as he should be more acclimated to here. Class drop can only help. This horse is a hard trier and he hails from a barn that shows a flat bet profit with their claimers (team Rhone). -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race