Sat, 07/12/2025 - 10:48

DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, July 12, 2025

Barbara D. Livingston
First post for Saratoga racing is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET on Saturday.

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.

12:50 MTH 1st LANDOFHOPEANDREAMS (#2, 5-1) put in a late run for the show in her second start off the layoff, and while she was unable to threaten in that five-furlong sprint she does seem to be better with a little more ground, which is what she gets in this opener; eligible to run them all down late given an honest pace to chase. – Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

1:24 GP 2nd ARMY MEDIC (#10, 10-1) ran well in her debut and even got some play when sent off at 6-1. We are liking this barn more and more. This February bred has a recent work and draws more outside today so that along with any second out improvement should make this filly tough. – Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

2:46 SAR 5th RETOUCH (#9, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race

3:00 GP 5th SWEET SASH (#4, 5-1) sheds the blinkers and that is an 18% move for this barn (flat bet profit). This filly catches a race with good speed and drops in class. We bet the short freshening helps more than anything. – Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

5:36 SAR 10th ILLUMINARE (#7, 8-1) won the first two starts of his career over this track and trip with solid figures, then improved to a new Beyer top when overpowering allowance rivals at Aqueduct last November; has struggled with stakes horses to this point but fits well here, and appears to be training forwardly for his first start back. – Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

6:21 GP 11th WILL OF A WARRIOR (#8, 5-1) has solid figs and is versatile. That was a solid second last out but is this gelding best on the front end? We kinda, sorta, think this guy is better with a target. That won't be a problem today. This 4YO gets off the rail after three consecutive starts. – Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

6:26 WO 11th STARSHIP SERENITY (#8, 6-1) got away slowly and was steadied on the far turn while in the midst of her rally before landing on the edges in a recent maiden special. She's tagged for $40K in this easier hybrid inner turf tilt with Longshot Leo retaining the mount for DePaulo, a successful combo. – Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

6:49 SAR 12th REGALTON (#1, 8-1) debuted on the all-weather in early May, and ran well that day when closing in late on a loose-on-the-lead Luna Loushka, who returned to win a stakes race sprinting on turf in her next start with an 88 Beyer; bred for turf and she can easily build on that effort as she breaks from the inside post. – Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race