DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Wednesday, Sept. 30, 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.

1:10 BEL 1st Focusing on firsters in this opener since none of those with experience are terribly compelling; HORIZONTAL RAIN (#7, 4-1) has joined Brendan Walsh's small NY string and seems to be training pretty well up at Saratoga; Nyquist wins with 18% of his 2YO firsters and the dam won her debut, albeit on synthetic; there is mostly synth pedigree in the immediate family, but 2nd dam Nadeshiko was a stakes-winning dirt sprinter with a 93 Beyer top; liked the look of this colt's Fasig-Tipton drill where he was an RNA for $675k. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

2:12 BEL 3rd Have to give another shot to FIREBALLIN (#4, 6-1) after touting him last time in his turf debut; was a little unlucky not to win at a huge price; got badly steadied and shuffled into the clubhouse turn, and then again had to tap on the brakes on the far turn; recovered well to rally between horses late; should get a smoother journey from this outside post and figures to be a decent price once again. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

3:14 BEL 5th PORTADOWN LAD (#11, 10-1) proved that he isn't much of a turf horse at Saratoga; now switches back to the right surface and receives appropriate class relief; has been placed over his head much of his career, but ran a race that makes him competitive here when he was dropped in for a tag on dirt back in May; returns as a new gelding and figures to get somewhat lost in a highly competitive field. - David Aragona | Get Past Performances for this race

4:16 BEL 7th CALDO CANDY (#5, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (David Aragona).| Get Past Performances for this race

5:30 LAD 4th BLAME ME SERIOUSLY (#8, 6-1) out ran his odds in his last pair. He is 3 for 7 on this dirt and 0 for 12 doing anything else. He has some tactical speed and draws outside so his trip might be best. Trainer stats are good across the board. -Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

5:55 LAD 5th THE DUKE OF DELHI (#8, 20-1) did little in his debut but we can forgive anyone's first start. Plus, a turf route is a tough spot to start your career. One of three sibs is a multiple turf winner of 193K. This guy has a turf Tommy of 344 and that should bode well for this surface. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

6:45 LAD 7th DOUBLE STANDARDS (#6, 6-1) tried the grass for the first time in his most recent and beat over half the field home all while getting the show dough. That was a Beyer top. Second time on the sod can only help. If this comes off then that is fine as this guy has run well on the dirt before. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

7:10 LAD 8th GASOLINE (#3, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race