DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Wednesday, July 8, 2020
With most other North American sports being shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, we hope the sport of horse racing can entertain you during these trying times. 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.
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12:30 GP 2nd Not a lot to choose from in today's baby race so trying the new face from Tampa DARK BLUE FLAME (#2, 4-1), who appears forwardly prepared for debut. Barn has sent several down already to have good success at this meet. -Mike Welsch
1:05 KEE 1st If you looked up trainer Brian Williamson's win record over the last five years at Keeneland, you might be disinclined to favor BEAVER HAT (#6, 7-2). But Williamson's operation has changed with the demise of Arlington and the Chicago circuit, and has more recently focused on Kentucky and Arkansas. Last fall, the most recent KEE meet, he only won one race, but his 12 starters went a 1-3-1, a good record, especially considering all the top 3s were between 3.8-1 and 16.2-1. -Marcus Hersh
1:34 GP 4th FIAMMA MAMMA (#3, 5-2) goes from bug rider to meet's top jock, might not look back if put right on the lead today. -Mike Welsch
3:18 KEE 5th Taken a good long time for 4yo SEARING CHASE (#7, 6-1) to make the races, but now he's got a long string of encouraging drills and has attracted one of the very top riders for his career debut. Pricey auction buy traces to some very famous bloodlines on dam's side. Capable trainer not as well known as many, which should help the price. -Marcus Hersh
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4:13 GP 9th BARGAINAIRE (#5, 7-2) bogged down on deep rail, still proved second best behind runaway winner Crumb Bun in another solid effort, might be able to seal deal with pace stalking trip over even track in main event. -Mike Welsch
4:57 KEE 8th CAMBRIA (#5, 4-1) clearly is better than her BC Juvenile Turf Sprint; Chimney Rock finished second in that race, and Cambria beat him at Kentucky Downs.Blinkers off for career restart, which suggests W Ward believes she's matured and is more focused now. Work pattern is a plus. Could get nice setup at a square price. -Marcus Hersh
5:01 LAD 3rd MY BEST SHOT (#3, 10-1) has some speed in a race with very little pace. He goes second off the layoff and has won twice on this sod. Full field helps the price. -Scott Ehlers
5:28 LAD 4th PORTABELLA MOON (#5, 15-1) is by a 5% debut sire. Her dam went 21-3-4-2 and earned 65K. Lone sib is full brother Wasabi Moon (19-2-2-2, 40K). This filly is a 4YO so she has an age advantage over the 3YO's in here. A good race to try a first time starter. -Scott Ehlers
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5:30 KEE 9th Homebred NAUGHTY PRINCE (#10, 5-1) already has been gelded and is late to make his career debut. Doubt his long-term future is especially bright, but W Ward has boxcar numbers with first-timers in maiden-claimers, and with a lesser-known rider named, this feels like a horse that the owner might want to bet first time out. -Marcus Hersh
5:40 CBY 1st SLICK AS ICE (#1, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers).
6:10 CBY 2nd TENTWELVEFOURTEEN (#5, 8-1) beat open claimers at Oaklawn only three back and did so at almost 26-1. His most recent which came at Will Rogers was a solid third beaten only two lengths at almost 29-1. If you toss that mile try four back then he looks better. This gelding gets in light and might be the biggest price on the board. -Scott Ehlers
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6:40 CBY 3rd FURZY (#4, 8-1) was off slow in his debut so there is your excuse. Maybe he wasn't ready for two turns in his second start. Then he came here and tried the same but on the grass but did little. Now he gets back to a dirt sprint and gets a weight break all while dropping in class. The Litfin barn has been hot of late. -Scott Ehlers
6:49 LAD 7th LEBKUCHEN (#1, 7-2) is bred to love the grass. She ran great in both turf starts. She can fire fresh. Race flow is fine as long as the 5 and 8 stay in. -Scott Ehlers