Tue, 02/25/2025 - 08:39

Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for week of Feb. 21-23, 2025

By Brad Free
Shane Micheli/Vassar Photography
Il Bellator (center) made a sharp return off a six-month layoff, missing just a head with a three-wide trip.

IL BELLATOR
Trainer: Jose Bautista
Last race: Feb. 21, 6th
Finish: 2nd by head
Beyer: 84
Veteran stakes winner ran super making his first start in six months. Forwardly placed three wide, challenged odds-on front-runner quarter pole, second-best, fine comeback.

Sat, 02/22/2025 - 18:44

Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Speightful Lily ready for stakes test in Broadway

By David Aragona

Aqueduct | Race 9 | Post Time 4:35 p.m. (ET)

Fri, 02/21/2025 - 16:28

Saturday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Added distance should benefit Lucky Dragon

By David Aragona

Aqueduct | Race 1 | Post Time 12:40 p.m. (ET)

Thu, 02/20/2025 - 17:30

Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Dot’s Dollar dangerous with better trip

By David Aragona

Aqueduct | Race 6 | Post Time 3:56 p.m. (ET)

Thu, 02/20/2025 - 14:23

Weekend GamePlan: Picks for Turf Dash, Gulfstream Park Sprint, Heavenly Prize

By Marcus Hersh
American Monarch wins at AQU Dec 31 2023
Adam Coglianese/NYRA
American Monarch hasn't raced since July but has an encouraging workout pattern for Bill Mott at Payson Park. He should be ready for his Turf Dash comeback at Tampa Bay Downs.

The Saudi Cup fell apart and a wintry blast moved the Rebel Stakes back a day. This Saturday’s racing does not look like it did a couple weeks ago.

Granted, the matchup between Forever Young and the great Romantic Warrior in the world’s richest race is must-see viewing. But imagine if Sierra Leone, Laurel River, Locked, and White Abarrio showed up, as at one point seemed possible.

We’re left picking through the remains of Saturday’s stakes schedule.

Turf Dash

Tue, 02/18/2025 - 09:44

Brad Free's Santa Anita Horses to Watch for week of Feb. 14-16, 2025

By Brad Free

WESTWOOD
Trainer: John Shirreffs
Last race: Feb. 14, 6th
Finish: 3rd by 6
Beyer: 83
Maiden improved as first-time gelding, first-time Lasix, and having undergone throat procedure. Three wide in MSW route, loomed quarter pole, tired. Solid comeback.

Sat, 02/15/2025 - 15:54

Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Added distance should benefit Lucky Dragon

By David Aragona

Aqueduct | Race 3 | Post Time 2:04 p.m. (ET)

Fri, 02/14/2025 - 16:53

Saturday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Roman Goddess cuts back to ideal distance

By David Aragona

Aqueduct | Race 7 | Post Time 4:06 p.m. (ET)

Fri, 02/14/2025 - 09:55

DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, February 14, 2025

By DRF Staff
Joe Labozzetta/NYRA
First post for Aqueduct racing is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET on Friday.

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 AQU 1st HAWKSTONE (#1, 6-1) is a DRF (Mike Beer). 

Thu, 02/13/2025 - 18:08

Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: My Mitole can get the jump on main rival McAfee

By David Aragona

Aqueduct | Race 6 | Post Time 3:34 p.m. (ET)

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