DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Wednesday, July 20, 2022

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.

1:45 CNL 1st Odd that both HARVEY'S PRINCESS (#1, 6-1) and DAILY PLANET scored $25K maiden-claiming (claiming price waived in DP's case) by blowout margins, each making their turf debut. The former has more positional pace and can get a fine trip here just behind the speed (including a stable-mate possibly entered to make sure this race "went" for Harvey P). Has turf upside in just second grass start. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race

2:41 CNL 3rd CURLIN'S MALIBU (#9, 10-1) goes from five MSW tries all the way down to $10K maiden-claiming in first race for a tag. And he's a Curlin who fetched $23K at auction. Obviously there are limitations. That said, beyond the class drop, this is first turf, and the dam's other foal to race, Union Gables, nearly won the 2020 Matron S. when trying turf for the first time. Could be overlooked in the wagering and this feels like a race to find a longer price. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race

2:49 SAR 4th SWEET FRANNY LU (#2, 6-1) showed speed off the layoff before weakening as the favorite over 'good' turf; improved in her second start while rating early and then coming with a good finish to easily close down a couple of fillies who are running in the Suzie O'Cain later on the card; throw out her last where she ran right into a troubled rival on the backstretch. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

3:37 CNL 5th CAPTAIN THUNDER (#8, 10-1) ran June 17 like a horse who "needed a race" coming back from an extended layoff. He's since posted two timed workouts, suggesting he's maintained a steady training pattern since the race and can improve. Been seeking the right open claiming level since his last win in conditioned claiming, and this $8K tag, his lowest, might work. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race

3:55 SAR 6th SHADOW MATTER (#3, 8-1) hasn't run up to his best on his last three starts vs. better; drops in for $40k but finds a pretty strong field for the level and will need to get back to one of his good races in order to defeat this field; think he's at his best when able to settle and make a late run, which he should have the opportunity to do here with plenty of pace signed on. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

6:13 SAR 10th NAKED AND FAMOUS (#8, 8-1) flashed big speed and tired in a fast race making her debut on dirt; Upstart gelding is from the female family of Icy Atlantic and Wild Promises, both multiple stakes winners on the grass; threat to wire this field as he switches over on the drop. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race