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 GP 1st DYNAMIC EMPIRE (#3, 10-1) was getting better before the break and then returned to run evenly on the grass something he was trying for the first time. This horse is always a good price and now returns quickly all while finding a spot that is simply not difficult. – Scott Ehlers
1:35 OP 1st Oaklawn puts the spotlight on fillies and mares who sprint in the feature, which drew an Emerald Downs runner making her first start in the overnight ranks after beginning her career with four straight stakes starts. In the opener, COUNT DE MONET (#3, 5-1) can make a real impact with a repeat of some of his efforts from last season at PrM. – Mary Rampellini
2:05 AQU 3rd SHEER WILL (#1, 6-1) finished last in her lone start as a 2yo and went back to the drawing board; was first back from a long layoff last time when chasing and tiring behind a talented wire-to-wire winner; putting races together in a better spot. – Mike Beer
3:20 GP 6th VERTRAUEN (#7, 4-1) has speed and adds a full furlong which should help theft chances. He draws outside, keeps Zayas, and drops a notch. What if this gelding didn't like those off tracks in his first two starts? This 4YO has an age advantage over most of these. – Scott Ehlers
3:36 AQU 6th EDDIE MARIE (#5, 6-1) is a DRF Best bet (Mike Beer).
4:42 AQU 8th SAIL WITH THE WIND's (#1, 12-1) lone win came in a race rained off the grass, though she looked good that day while earning a 75 Beyer; missed time after another competitive effort two starts back in the slop, then dueled a fast pace and tired off the bench in December; should be going from the rail in her second start for Englehart. – Mike Beer
5:20 GP 10th TERM (#10, 12-1) draws worst but there ends the knocks. Sire gets 11% debut turf winners. His dam never tried the green while lone turf sib missed the board in only start. If team Mott wants two turns on the turf second off the layoff then so be it. This gelding showed talent as a 2YO. A dirt sprint going only six furlongs off the layoff was simply a prep for this, right? Alvarado stays put and that is key even if he often rides for this barn. Quick works are noted. – Scott Ehlers
5:36 SA 4th This starter allowance sprint for Northern California horses/horsemen came up light on pace. That benefits front-runner GRAZEN SUN (#2, 6-1), who has won five of his last eight including a wire-to-wire win last out racing 1,000 yards at Los Alamitos. The sharp gelding might be the speed of this field. Come and catch him. – Brad Free
6:00 OP 9th GET AWAY WITH IT (#4, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mary Rampellini).