DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Wednesday, July 17, 2024

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 LIGHTNING MAMA (#3, 6-1) is by 17% juvenile debut sire Bolt d'Oro; her unraced dam is a sister to two-time stakes-winning dirt sprinter A Freud of Mama, and this is the female family of current top NY-bred sprinters Rotknee and My Mane Squeeze, both of whom race for these connections; Maker capable with first-time starters. -Mike Beer

3:26 SAR 5th NO SHOW SAMMY JO (#6, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).

4:34 SAR 7th OBRIGADA (#7, 8-1) was claimed out of a strong effort at Ellis Park last summer for $50k and shipped to Saratoga; stumbled badly and lost all chance in her first start up here, then bounced right back 17 days later when easily handling starter allowance rivals; didn't have a great trip when getting some class relief two starts back, and she got in way over her head in her first start for Rudy up here last month; back down to the right level with Irad taking over. -Mike Beer

5:10 SAR 8th TOUR JETE (#1, 10-1) ran well in her debut last November when off to a troubled start and then making a game, wide run before finishing a good second; took a shot at a big purse to no avail before the layoff; had little chance to close down that clear winner in the mud off the layoff but tried hard once again and won the battle for second; bred for turf and drew a great post for the stretch out in distance. -Mike Beer

6:20 LAD 4th MIRI A COINCIDENCE (#5, 8-1) wasn't doing a whole lot before the start of the Oaklawn meet but something clicked for this gelding who ran a Beyer top three times there. His last race came back key when 2 of 9 returned to win with figs of 62 and 62. We would like to see more than a pair of local works but perhaps this guy was working elsewhere before coming here. He can fire fresh as he won when last seen off a layoff (4 back). -Scott Ehlers

7:35 LAD 7th DEROUTANTE (#2, 12-1) broke through the gate in her most recent so you can toss what happened after that. We think that five furlong turf sprint was a simple prep for longer. Form cycle hints at better and this horse is a multiple grass winner that likes this sod. She draws fine and should get a good trip from her inside draw. -Scott Ehlers