Mon, 09/11/2023 - 11:40

Ask Beyer: Analyzing Nutella Fella's Hopeful figure

By Andrew Beyer
Debra A. Roma
Nutella Fella's Beyer Figure for the Hopeful came back historically weak, just a 72.

While I have never been one to put a lot of stock in Beyer Speed Figures, I find it hard to believe that you only gave my horse Nutella Fella a 72 Beyer in the Hopeful [Stakes at Saratoga]. It was just a matter of disrespect. You disrespected us because we are a small stable that upset the apple cart. I wonder if [second-place] Timberlake had held on what his number would have been. I promise you it would have been over 90. I hope my horse proves you wrong over and over.

Nick Beaver

Bell Gable Stable

Dear Nick,

Thu, 09/07/2023 - 14:40

Weekend GamePlan: Picks for Kentucky Turf Cup, Del Mar Debutante, Smoke Glacken

By Marcus Hersh
Therapist wins United Nations at MTH July 22 20.23
Joe Labozzetta/Equi-Photo
At age 8, Mike Maker has turn past-class Therapist into a Grade 1-winning turf marathoner.

One hit last Saturday, with Bright Future in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, one foul ball, with Skinner in the Pacific Classic, and one big whiff, with Churchtown in the Mint Millions. The major miss came at quirky Kentucky Downs, but we’re going right back to south central Kentucky for this Weekend GamePlan.

Kentucky Turf Cup

Wed, 09/06/2023 - 13:02

DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, September 7, 2023

By DRF Staff
Coady Photography
Kentucky Downs begins the second week of the 2023 meet on Thursday.

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, 09/06/2023 - 12:22

Breakout Beyers: Locked was loaded for his second start at Saratoga

By Marcus Hersh
Debra A. Roma
Locked gallops to a 7 1/4-length victory on Sept. 1 at Saratoga, earning a 96 Beyer Speed Figure.

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

Locked

Tue, 09/05/2023 - 10:50

Free: Del Mar horses to watch for week of Sept. 4, 2023

By Brad Free

UFFDA
Trainer: Eric Kruljac
Last race: Sept. 1, 1st
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/2
Beyer: 56

Debut 2yo filly ran super in turf sprint. Fifth or sixth on rail, blocked through turn, finished well, galloped out super past the wire. Solid debut, ran like a two-turn filly.

MISS MONARCH BAY
Trainer: Michael McCarthy
Last race: Sept. 1, 6th
Finish: 3rd by 3 1/4
Beyer: 70

Sun, 09/03/2023 - 18:35

Hopeful entrant Valentine Candy's maiden Beyer Figure upgraded to 85

By Andrew Beyer
Barbara D. Livingston
Valentine Candy wins a maiden race July 22 at Saratoga. He runs back Monday in the Hopeful Stakes.

Making the Beyer Speed Figures, as most readers surely understand, is not an exact science. Sometimes we will encounter ambiguous circumstances on a day’s card, resolve them a week or two later, and recalculate the races. Sometimes we will belatedly discover an error in a published race time and change the speed figure accordingly. We do not apologize for correcting numbers that have already appeared in print. We want readers to have the best possible information at all times.

Fri, 09/01/2023 - 14:54

Sunday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Miss Kristy still has upside getting back on turf

By David Aragona

Saratoga | Race 8 | Post Time 4:36 p.m. (ET)

TimeformUS PPs are now available on drf.com. Go to shop.drf.com and use coupon code NYRATF23 to get one free TimeformUS card.

Thu, 08/31/2023 - 14:20

Weekend GamePlan: Picks for Pacific Classic, Jockey Club Gold Cup, Mint Millions

By Marcus Hersh
Debra A. Roma
Skinner is working well, bred to get 1 1/4 miles, and is a better horse than he showed in the Los Alamitos Derby following a three-month layoff.

Breeders’ Cup Classic clues should drop Saturday in New York and California – and lord knows we need some. The Saturday turf action at Del Mar holds appeal in theory, but this handicapper found opinions difficult to form.

Pacific Classic

Here’s a question: Who will be the shorter Pacific Classic price, Defunded or Arabian Knight? Tough call, but the main point is both are going to get bet. Of the two, I strongly prefer Arabian Knight. Defunded is a 5-year-old who’s wholly exposed, doesn’t truly want 1 1/4 miles, and habitually is overbet.

Wed, 08/30/2023 - 15:38

Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Ribot’s Valentine should get better trip from outside draw

By David Aragona

Saratoga | Race 3 | Post Time 2:20 p.m. (ET)

TimeformUS PPs are now available on drf.com. Go to shop.drf.com and use coupon code NYRATF23 to get one free TimeformUS card.

Wed, 08/30/2023 - 14:08

Breakout Beyers: Fierceness lights up the Spa

By Marcus Hersh
Barbara Livingston
Fierceness took his debut by 11 1/4 lengths and earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure, one of the best by a 2-year-old this year.

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

Fierceness

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