Fri, 03/20/2020 - 14:27

Peck: How I'd play the pick four at Tampa Bay Downs on Friday

RACE 5: The scratch of heavy favorite Day by Day obviously completely changes the complexion of this sprint from every possible aspect. SUZIE'SSTEPPINOUT and CAUGHT UP IN YOU are clearly the main beneficiaries, as they become the favorites now, but it's still a murky race from the perspective of pace, as RUSSIAN ROULETTE and SWEET DADDIO are now the primary speeds, and SWEETLY MAID has some early zip. I'll use them all in some capacity with a push on the two likely favorites, who enjoy a Beyer edge.

Fri, 03/20/2020 - 10:44

BreezeFigs Quick-Pix Saturday, March 21, 2020 by Bob Fierro & Jay Kilgore

When you’re the only game in town it helps to have some quality data and BreezeFigs keeps providing it. Our Pix last week were split—one was scratched and the other, Happy Road, showed strong closing momentum to complete the trifecta at Golden Gate—tab her back at a mile. During the week seven BreezeFigs maidens won at: Aqueduct (BreezeFigs exacta), Fair Grounds (two), Laurel (BreezeFigs exacta), Sam Houston (two) and Tampa Bay.

Thu, 03/19/2020 - 19:17

DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, March 20, 2020

Tom Keyser
Tampa Bay Downs

12:45 TAM 1st LADY BREANNA (#5, 6-5) has a fairly big edge in figures and also figures to have a pace advantage over the majority of these, as she has speed and there’s not a lot of obvious pace in this opener; likely to stalk expected pacesetter PLEASANT BUFFY (#3, 10-1) and get first run on that rival. The latter has a chance to steal this if she’s able to shake loose and back down the fractions. She may well need to post the best Beyer of her career to win this but that’s within reach if the fractions are slow enough; consider a two-speed exacta punch. -Kenny Peck

Thu, 03/19/2020 - 15:46

Weekend GamePlan for March 21, 2020: Picks for New Orleans Classic, Tom Benson Memorial, and San Simeon Stakes

Debra A. Roma
By My Standards' impressive February comeback race should have him at the top of his game for the New Orleans Classic.

Would it be nice to have a Weekend GamePlan play in easily the weekend’s biggest race, the $1 million Louisiana Derby? Of course, of course. And make no mistake: This is a very appealing race from a “solve the really hard puzzle” sort of perspective.

Thu, 03/19/2020 - 10:28

Peck: How I'd play the Stronach 5 on Friday, March 20, 2020

LEG A (LRL 9th): RUNS FOR LUCK makes his first start off the claim by Jamie Ness, who is winning at 26% with such runners. MINERS QUEST closed well for the place in his latest under these same conditions; obvious threat. MIDNIGHT CRY blew a clear lead as the favorite, drifting out late; nice works since suggest he'll come back better (3).

Wed, 03/18/2020 - 19:05

DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, March 19, 2020

Barbara D. Livingston
Oaklawn Park will begin its meet two weeks later next year, and run through the first weekend of May.

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.

Wed, 03/18/2020 - 17:22

Breakout Beyers: Shooters Shoot scores a 92

Each week in this space, the top Beyer performances by maiden winners will be featured and analyzed. Click here for a complete archive.

Wed, 03/18/2020 - 09:02

Illman: Laurel horses to watch for week of March 16, 2020

Looks Good
Trainer:  John Robb
Last race: March 15, 2nd
Finish:  2nd by nose
Beyer: 53
Eight-year-old looks to be racing himself back into shape. Making fourth start off long layoff, he battled on the lead, put away his chalky pace rival and just was pipped on the wire by a good-setup closer.
Wed, 03/18/2020 - 08:49

Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of March 16, 2020

QUICK FINISH

Trainer: Dan Blacker

Last race: March 14, 2nd

Finish: 2nd by 4 1/4

Beyer: 83

Older sprinter ran super returning from long layoff. Set pace, hounded throughout, shook off pace foes, held second, winner rallied from last. Fits in similar statebred allowance.