DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Wednesday, February 19, 2025

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 SUNDAY SONG (#2, 9-2) continues to improve and despite the class hike might just stand some catching if away running from inside off game effort behind 3/5 Otto in last. -Mike Welsch

1:15 TAM 2nd JUST MERCY (#1, 12-1) may have been on a dead rail in that one-length loss two back, and she had some subtle trouble in her latest, when she also may have moved too soon; dangerous at a price given a clean trip from the fence. -Kenny Peck

1:22 GP 2nd Hard to get a much worse trip than TIME IS MAGIC (#6, 5-1) endured here last month when pretty much eliminated on first turn then stopped again with some run in early stretch. Switches to red hot Paco, switches back to turf, expecting much improved showing with better racing luck today. -Mike Welsch

1:45 TAM 3rd FANCY'S ROSEBUD (#8, 5-1) faded after pressing the pace in all of her recent losses but she could shake loose in that sprint, and under those circumstances she may be good enough to steal this; the fact that she shortens up in distance adds to the appeal. -Kenny Peck

3:55 TUP 3rd DOMINEERING (#4, 10-1) figures a good trip behind legit splits. This mare did little off the layoff but it was her first start here and it was a sprint. Now this 7YO returns to her best distance all while returning right on time. This mare had some nice route tries at Tampa including that win five back at 16-1. Forget that turf try four back and she looks even better. A recent work is just right all for a hands on trainer in C C Perkinson. -Scott Ehlers

4:15 TAM 8th HIGHTAIL FOX (#6, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck).

4:27 TUP 4th FLY NIGHTLY (#9, 4-1) was unlucky to lose the photo on this sod only two back. This guy was a step slow in his most recent and that was with his new barn. This guy should be better acclimated to his new barn now. A return to the turf is perfect and this field didn't come up very tough as expected. We like that Ascencio stays put. -Scott Ehlers

4:45 TAM 9th DENYING (#2, 6-1) was off the board on the dirt last time but he should be expected to improve back on the turf, as this is his best game; he's been showing good late foot in his recent grass races and he can run them all down late given a clean trip and a quick, contested pace up front, which seems like a likely scenario thanks to the presence of several speed-types. -Kenny Peck