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.
1:17 AQU 3rd NINE N FOUR (#5, 4-1) is a DRF Best bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race
1:50 AQU 4th CUMBERLAND BLUES (#1, 10-1) won three times at around this level late last year upon arriving from Monmouth, and did so while handling both fast and wet dirt, as well as two different distances; was claimed out of the most recent victory, and he has been in too tough in all four starts for the new connections; drops back down. – Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
1:55 GP 3rd ROYALLY BLUE (#5, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race
2:17 TAM 4th TIZ A BEAST (#5, 20-1) was closing well enough while down inside in that last one despite some traffic trouble, and though he was off the board there, beaten 4 1/2 lengths, he galloped out in front of the winner within a couple of strides past the wire; no threat in prior tries but those were routes, and that last one suggests he may be at his best sprinting at this stage of his career. – Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
3:58 TAM 7th BIG Z OG (#4, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race
4:00 SA 3rd PACKS A WAHLOP returns to the N1X/optional $50k level from which he was claimed from a runner-up finish two back. He was subsequently overmatched in a G3, but fits perfect at this level. His allowance races last summer and fall are fast enough to win this. If he happens to start favored while dropping in class, that would be a good omen. John Sadler's last seven favorites produced 4 wins, 3 seconds. – Brad Free | Get PPs for this race
4:34 AQU 9th EARLY ON (#4, 6-1) appeared to need experience while running better than it looks in two starts sprinting at Saratoga last summer; endured a tough trip in the slop when back from the layoff in December; took a big step forward when out around two turns for the first time at Gulfstream in February, then was wide on the turn and was left with too much to do when falling just short of a talented filly in the Virginia Oaks last time; should be a price and think she is a lot better than she looks. – Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
5:50 GP 10th FOLKTALE (#5, 8-1) should offer some value. He tried maiden claimers in his debut and ran great when 2nd at 45-1. This barn is 21% with their maiden second time starters. We like that this gelding wants a turf route right back. Debut rider stays put and this guy draws a tad better today all while cutting back a half furlong. – Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
6:44 AQU 13th SWEETEST PRINCESS (#6, 10-1) hasn't won a race in over a year, though she has also been kept to much tougher company during the 11-race losing streak and has acquitted herself well several times along the way; finally stepping back into the right kind of spot and is likely to be a price. – Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
7:00 SA 9th SMILING BEAST (#7, 6-1) is faster than his rivals in this Cal-bred N1X turf sprint. That assumes he runs as well on turf as his first two starts on dirt. Highly rated debut winner, and highly rated allowance winner second out, he subsequently misfired in a stakes that Big City Lights won in a romp. SMILING BEAST drops in class, returns from a brief layoff, and trained well. Progeny of Smiling Tiger generally prefer dirt, but they can do turf. – Brad Free | Get PPs for this race