Fri, 02/28/2025 - 08:19

DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, February 28, 2025

Barbara D. Livingston
Aqueduct is one of several tracks featured in Friday'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.

1:10 AQU 1st ST. ADDIE (#2, 8-1) rated early, before chasing to no avail going seven on her debut 20 days ago; Authentic filly is bred to handle distance, and she appeared to be a filly in need of some experience in that first appearance. – Mike Beer

2:43 TAM 5th THREE TIMES (#4, 12-1) gets back on the grass, and though this filly was far back in her only try on this surface that was a route, and she had little chance to last in the lane after racing close to the pace in a race that set up well for the closers; new barn excels with turf sprinters and tis filly could offer relative value on the class rise. – Kenny Peck

2:50 AQU 4th Though LUMENIQUE (#2, 5-1) ran well on debut while putting in a late run and appearing to gain valuable experience; has caught wet/sealed tracks in two of her three starts since, including that first start back from a long layoff last time, for which Dutrow used the waiver; second off the break stretching back out. – Mike Beer

3:04 GP 5th HAPPY SNAPPY (#4, 8-1) did well to finish fourth despite a slow start, wide trip in his debut. Had shown big speed in a.m prior to that outing and like the fact Jaramillo signs on today. Expect improvement with clean beginning. – Mike Welsch

4:07 GP 7th STEPPE (#4, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Welsch).

4:50 TAM 9th ROCIO (#1, 12-1) was behind a few of these same runners in her latest but she was moving well late after she may have been hampered by the race flow, as that was a race featuring a two-speed exacta; prior Beyer certainly stamps her as a contender in this nightcap, if she's able to run back to it. – Kenny Peck

5:25 AQU 9th AH CA IRA (#1, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).

5:40 GP 10th BIZ BIZ BUZZ (#5, 6-1) showed surprising speed returning to win column for first time in quite a while under similar conditions last time. Might not see front end as readily with this bunch but hard to ignore in current form. – Mike Welsch