Fri, 02/21/2025 - 10:04

DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, February 21, 2025

Tom Keyser
First post for Tampa Bay Downs racing is scheduled for 12:28 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 2nd GOLDCREST (#6, 4-1) was against a speed-favorite track in her NY debut last summer at Saratoga, then came right back to win her next start; missed time after that, and she had no chance off the layoff last time when wide chasing a slow pace; second off the layoff and she can get the mile. – Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:20 GP 2nd BOSTON ROSE (#9, 6-1) was throttled and very rank during early stages last time, still managed to make a run of it while saving ground throughout. Toss previous one on the turf when hung wide then eased up when race was called a no contest about midway through. Should offer some value, could prove bit of a sleeper at her best. – Mike Welsch | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:28 TAM 3rd STARSHIP MAGELLAN (#8, 5-1) is down in class after a dull try in his first start off the layoff but he's worked well since his arrival in Tampa and he does have back figures that are plenty good enough to win this, albeit figures earned in routes; cuts back to one turn for the first time but that's a good angle for trainer Rohan Crichton (22%). – Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:58 TAM 4th TIZ A PRINCE (#8, 20-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:20 GP 6th MISS MARY NELL (#5, 5-1) ran big one two back with the addition of blinkers and one of only two multiple winners in this lineup. Switches to veteran Bravo from the double bug, can hopefully sit just off what appears to be plenty of early foot in this lineup. – Mike Welsch | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:23 AQU 5th I SEE YOU LOOKIN (#1, 5-1) won the first two dirt starts of his career, including a 76 Beyer win for this tag in his NY debut; got in too tough in each of his next two starts, then had an excuse when trying nine furlongs vs a strong field for the level two back; back quickly after getting wired over a wet track 12 days ago. – Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:58 TAM 8th MR SCATTER (#12, 10-1) will gave to deal with the wide post for his Tampa debut but he should appreciate this drop in class, and the move back to one turn, as that's the circumstance under which he's posted his two career wins; stone closer is in need of pace but there are a handful of runners to his inside who figure to be involved from the outset. – Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:28 TAM 9th STRIKE UP (#10, 10-1) rallied nicely through the stretch and galloped out with purpose in a deceptively good debut run, and the figure she posted gives her strong credibility in this well-matched finale; could be overlooked some in the betting but she can spring the upset at this extended distance, which should work to her advantage. – Kenny Peck | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:38 SA 9th A REAL JEWEL (#5, 8-1) and DR. RAY D. top this claiming turf sprint; 'JEWEL gets the call to upset while wheeling back less than two weeks after a night-racing allowance win running shorter at Los Alamitos. The veteran mare also runs on turf; her versatile style should play well with front-runners to her inside in posts 1-3. Tab for a minor off-the-pace upset. – Brad Free | Bet this race with DRF Bets