Tue, 04/11/2023 - 12:15

DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Keeneland/Coady Photography
Keeneland begins the second week of the spring meet on Wednesday.

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.

Tue, 04/11/2023 - 09:11

Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby: Wood Memorial analysis

Debra A. Roma
Lord Miles (left) gets up to win the Wood Memorial after a roughly run stretch drive.

$750,000 Wood, April 8, 2023 [100 qualifying points for first, 40 for second, 30 for third, 20 for fourth, and 10 for fifth] 

Winner: Lord Miles, by Curlin
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Owner: Vegso Racing Stable
Distance / time: 1 1/8 miles / 1:51.17
Win margin: Nose
Beyer: 93 

Mon, 04/10/2023 - 17:26

Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby: Blue Grass Stakes analysis

Tapit Trice and jockey Luis Saez edge past Verifying and Tyler Gaffalione at the wire in the Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland.
Coady Photography
Tapit Trice and jockey Luis Saez edge past Verifying and Tyler Gaffalione at the wire in the Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland.

$1 million Blue Grass, April 8, 2023 [100 qualifying points for first, 40 for second, 30 for third, 20 for fourth, and 10 for fifth]

Sun, 04/09/2023 - 19:45

Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby: Santa Anita Derby analysis

Benoit Photo
Practical Move (right) edges Mandarin Hero (center) and Skinner in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

Grade 1, $751,500 Santa Anita Derby, April 8, 2023
(100 qualifying points for first, 40 for second, 30 for third, 20 for fourth, and 10 for fifth)

Winner: Practical Move, by Practical Joke
Trainer: Tim Yakteen
Jockey: Ramon Vazquez
Owner: Leslie Amestoy, Pierre Amestoy, and Roger Beasley
Distance / time: 1 1/8 miles / 1:48.69
Win margin: Nose
Beyer: 100

Fri, 04/07/2023 - 16:09

DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, April 8, 2023

Barbara D. Livingston
Santa Anita is one of many tracks featured in Saturday's DRF Playbook.

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.

12:05 TAM 1st CREATIVE CLOUD (#8, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

Thu, 04/06/2023 - 16:23

Friday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Giant’s Fire should appreciate switch to turf

Aqueduct | Race 6 | Post Time 4:02 p.m. (ET)

TimeformUS PPs are now available on DRF.com. Go to PPs

Thu, 04/06/2023 - 14:10

Weekend GamePlan: Picks for Wood Memorial, Santa Anita Derby, Blue Grass Stakes

Slip Mahoney during the Gotham at AQU March 4 2023
Barbara Livingston
Slip Mahoney has speed but dropped far back in the Gotham before rallying to finish second in the 14-horse field.

Now we’re talking. Headed by Keeneland’s blockbuster card, and with multi-stakes programs at Aqueduct and Santa Anita, we have before us the best Saturday of racing so far this year.

At Keeneland, Pleasant Passage in the Appalachian and Run Classic in the Commonwealth just missed the cut here. And at Santa Anita, Awake At Midnyte trying her first turf sprint in the Monrovia held appeal. But let’s just focus on a trio of Kentucky Derby preps.

Wood Memorial

Wed, 04/05/2023 - 15:14

Thursday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Treasure Trove can rebound in return to Aqueduct

Aqueduct | Race 7 | Post Time 4:34 p.m. (ET)

TimeformUS PPs are now available on DRF.com. Go to PPs

This nine-furlong optional claimer may have only attracted six runners, but it’s one of the most intriguing races of the day. Todd Pletcher has entered a pair of colts coming off lengthy layoffs. Commandperformnance (#2) was one of the top 2-year-olds of 2021, finishing second in the Grade 1 Champagne. Yet he just never panned out as an older horse and needs to improve significantly in this comeback performance.

Wed, 04/05/2023 - 14:02

Breakout Beyers: Ultimate Gamble looking like he’ll pay off handsomely

Coady Photography
Federal Judge (center) scores an easy maiden win at Oaklawn, earning a 97 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.

Ultimate Gamble

Tue, 04/04/2023 - 11:08

Free: Santa Anita horses to watch for week of April 3, 2023

SANTA ANITA

DONCIC
Trainer: Vladimir Cerin
Last race: March 31, 1st
Finish: 2nd by neck
Beyer: 93

Comeback turf sprinter ran super making first start in 10 months. Chased hot pace, fought back inside, finished more than three lengths clear. Should handle non-winners of three starter next time out.