DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Wednesday, August 26, 2020
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.
3:37 SAR 6th GRUDGE (#2, 5-1) has been a turf horse from the start and has run some improved races on that surface recently without finding the winner's circle; lone dirt start last year came back slow in a race rained off the turf, but she did face a quality rival there going seven and Englehart has some strong numbers switching from turf to dirt with sprinters, especially at Saratoga - 7 for 21 over the pace five years, with another five in that sample finishing 2nd - $4.25 ROI. -Mike Beer
4:12 SAR 7th BUY LAND AND SEE (#1, 8-1) ran well in all three turf starts as a 2yo, including his debut over course and distance, and became a stakes winner in his final start of the year going a mile; dominated allowance rivals in his first start back now steps up while cutting back to sprint for the first time since that debut run. -Mike Beer
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4:46 SAR 8th CLARA PEETERS (#3, 7-2) came with a good finish to close down allowance rivals going seven at Belmont in June and she got bottled up behind horses in the stretch if the De La Rise last time with the eventual winner keeping her locked in until late; faces a strong field here but should have some pace in front of her. -Mike Beer
5:28 LAD 4th DERECHO WARRIOR (#3, 9-2) didn't fire off the layoff but did catch a non fast surface. At times, this gelding can run well but they seem more hit and miss than anything. Maybe two turns is the problem? He cuts back and tries 6 1/2 furlongs for the first time. We kinda think this gelding is going to like an elongated sprint. His last race came back key when 2 of 5 returned to win with figs of 68 and 53 (2 more finished 2nd with figs of 70 and 67). -Scott Ehlers
6:22 LAD 6th SEBS PRINCESS (#7, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers).
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6:49 LAD 7th WHOLE LOTTA LUCK (#8, 7-2) has won going 9 furlongs and no one else can say the same. This gelding is settling in nicely here and now goes third time on this dirt. When right this gelling is capable of a Beyer in the high 60's. -Scott Ehlers
7:10 CBY 4th TWISTED MAGIC (#4, 9-2) turns around quickly but also cuts back to a sprint so we kinda like that. Harr is riding well and brings apprentice weight break to the party. Things would be best if the 5 and 6 pressed each other while this gelding sat just a few lengths back. -Scott Ehlers
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7:40 CBY 5th DISCREET TIGER (#11, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers).
8:10 CBY 6th DIRECT IMPACT (#8, 12-1) is just better around two turns. He almost blew up the tote two back at 32-1 and now Harr returns. What if this gelding just hated a wet track last out? A good price for sure. -Scott Ehlers