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.
12:20 GP 1st Lots of options in maiden turf sprint to kick off the day. VINO FRIZZANTE (#5, 8-1) back to the turf off a series of solid efforts on the main. Has had some gate issues in the past now shortens up, should come running best from off what figures to be an honest enough pace scenario if able to leave clean. – Mike Welsch | Bet this race with DRF Bets
12:25 LRL 1st First post is 12:25 ET with 12% takeout on Pick 5 wagers. FLATBED FORD (#1, 8-1) (928 lbs. on 12/1; +11 from prior start; updated weights posted on the simulcast feed during paddock and warmups) was bumped lightly leaving the gate over closer-friendly track, stalked in between, dropped inside, then finished evenly on the fence. This extra distance is a question mark, but he has shown improvement from start to start and should offer decent value. Barn sent out 12-1 winner Three Captains on 12/13 and 8-1 winner Artillery Gunnar on 12/14. – Dan Illman | Bet this race with DRF Bets
12:40 TAM 2nd There is very little speed signed on in this 7-furlong affair over the main track, which should benefit VELOCISSIMA (#5, 6-1). The Violence mare is not a speed ball, but does appear to have more early zip than her competitors in this conditional claimer for fillies and mares. She also drops in from an open company event just eight days ago. Jockey Samy Camacho should be able to get this Rafael Romero trainee to the front and have enough left late to hang on for career victory number four. – Scott Shapiro | Bet this race with DRF Bets
12:55 LRL 2nd Perhaps last time was the time for WHISKEYINTHEJARO (#6, 5-1) as he scored at 17-1 after suffering through two challenging trips on turf. Settled near the back over a closer-friendly track, advanced three wide on the turn, attacked four wide into the long stretch, and wore them down. Must now deal with a longer distance and a questionable race flow, but he's lightly raced with upside and enters in good form. Barn sent out two winners here since 12/6. – Dan Illman | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:38 TAM 4th The pace is likely to be contentious in this two-turn event for non-winners of two foes, which makes BOLD LOOK (#3, 6-1) an intriguing option from off the pace. The Demarchelier filly raced in the Mid-Atlantic this summer and in upstate New York in the fall, but ran some solid races early on in the campaign in Florida. This includes a pair of underneath efforts in her two starts over the main track. She should love getting back to a route of ground after a pair of sprints when we saw her last at Finger Lakes. – Scott Shapiro | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:58 OP 2nd CHAPARRITA (#6, 3-1) moves back into the straight claiming ranks after running third against starter allowance foes and the last time she ran for a tag she was a winner. BE MY BESTIE is admirable for her consistent nature. – Mary Rampellini | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:52 LRL 6th DISCREET OPS (#10, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Dan Illman). | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:40 TAM 10th BITTERLY (#5, 15-1) broke well and flashed solid early speed in his debut run over the main track on December 7, but got caught up in an early tussle and tired badly. The son of Demarchelier though is bred to want more ground and run on the grass. He gets both this afternoon for a barn that does not have much success first time out, but has clicked for an ROI of $2.48 with their last 25 runners trying the sod for the initial time. Hopefully, this gelding takes to the surface switch. – Scott Shapiro | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:46 OP 8th Grade 3 winner RAISE CAIN (#1, 6-1) shortens up some in distance in a move that seems to suit consistent sort. He also adds a set of blinkers in what is a high percentage equipment move for Colebrook, according to statistics from Daily Racing Form. – Mary Rampellini
5:22 GP 11th SAFFRON MOON (#8, 6-1) a beaten favorite in last pair but holding form well enough to get the shaky nod returning to perhaps her most effective distance at a mile. – Mike Welsch | Bet this race with DRF Bets