DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026

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.

1:00 KEE 1st One work video up for first-timer NICKYB (#4, 8-1), that from Oct. 6, and one was enough. Fast, light on his feet, athletic, and from the appearance of things far enough along to make an impression first out. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

1:32 KEE 2nd Surprised FIRST OF HIS NAME (#7, 12-1) was as high as 26-1 last out as he might have been well meant stretching out to two turns second race after a claim / layoff. Earlier routes say he's best racing on or near the lead, and poor start led to him dropping farther back at Indy. Granted, it was a year and a half ago, but wonder if he has something close to the April 2025 KEE showing still somewhere in the reservoir - and would say the Sept. 28 work video suggests he does. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

2:04 KEE 3rd GO MISSY GO (#6, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Get Past Performances for this race

2:16 BEL 3rd There are several intriguing dropdowns in this spot but most have surface or distance questions to answer; BOMBS AWAY (#7, 8-1) looks a little cheaper than a few others in this field, but she should at least appreciate the distance; like the way she stayed on going two turns in that synth race two back, and her prior dirt effort sprinting isn't as bad as it looks; was rallying up the rail late before galloping out well; returns from a layoff for Bruce Levine and is realistically spotted. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

2:36 KEE 4th SALTWATER COWBOY (#4, 12-1) didn't want anything to do with 1 1/8 miles two starts ago, first race after claim by these connections, but the cut back to 7f last time awakened him. Has run some solid figures, at least, in two-turn dirt miles, but the longer one-turn thing is something new to him - and might raise the ceiling. Horse seemed to slip through the cracks earlier this year - the $10K claim price looks like a bargan. Foggy work video from 10/15 encouraging for a horse of this ilk. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

3:23 BEL 5th B PROVOCATEUR (#3, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (David Aragona). | Get Past Performances for this race

4:31 BEL 7th Spent a lot of time on this race, mostly finding ways to dismantle the cases for each of the short prices; landed in a strange place, making an argument for the longest shot on the board, but here we are; KAATERSKILL (#4, 20-1) has been massive prices in recent tarts, but much of that has to do with timing or being placed in the wrong spots; clearly needed that return from a 16-month layoff back in August, and then displayed marked improvement when staying on for 6th at 111-1 against a better field than this one last time; once showed ability before going to the sidelines; now appears to finally be rounding back into form, and should get the right pace setup. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

5:05 BEL 8th DINGHY BAR (#2, 6-1) didn't get that much pace ahead of him when he returned from a brief freshening back in April of this year, staying on belatedly after weaving about in the lane; then got a wide trip going two turns, which isn't really his preference; has been off since then, but shows a steady worktab since mid-September, and finally gets realistic class relief as he drops in for a tag for the first time; also gets a noteworthy rider upgrade to Javier Castellano. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

8:54 RP 4th TRES SUENOS (#2, 8-1) was no threat in her debut here Sept. 11 but not only was that her debut it came on turf and vs. more expensive. With that under her belt she drops and move to dirt, which might play better for her pedigree-wise, too. Her trainer is having a super meet. Three of her five sibs are winners including Mackillop (11-1-3-0, $103K). - Michael Hammersly | Get Past Performances for this race

9:22 RP 5th PENNINGTON (#5, 12-1) didn't do much in his first two starts, but both came sprinting on dirt. Today he moves to routing on turf and that might prove key as five of his six sibs are winners, two of them turf winners including Khola (27-4-2-3, $120K, 15-3-1-2 on turf, 1 SP on turf) and full-bro Maybe Dolcie (20-6-2-4, $155K, 15-5-1-4 on turf, 2 SPs on turf). - Michael Hammersly | Get Past Performances for this race

11:14 RP 9th MUMAYAZ (#7, 12-1) blasted much lesser here Sept. 25 but that shows he's doing great these days and it's most encouraging he's not again risked for a tag. As noted in an earlier race usually once Moquett gets his runners in top form they tend to stay there. - Michael Hammersly | Get Past Performances for this race