DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026

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.

12:00 KD 1st Not much of a final-time figure for PAYTON'S HAMMER (#2, 8-1) last out at Colonial, but the pace figures say he went at a strong gallop. Like the way the horse dropped the bit and relaxed down the backstretch, and he did quicken at the head of the homestretch, though no match for heavily favored winner who returned with a solid fifth in a SAR allowance. There's no pace in this race - he should be lose, and might not come back. - Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

1:44 SAR 2nd HYPERBOREAN SPIRIT (#2, 12-1) is by a turf sire, and his dam posted all five career wins sprinting on the grass, capped off with a stakes victory; looked good breezing on this surface last week for an underrated trainer. - Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race

2:06 KD 5th ROSE ROOM (#4, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Get Past Performances for this race

4:34 SAR 7th LIVIN THE BREEZE (#7, 6-1) improved up to the maiden win in her final start as a 2yo; ran a nice race off the bench when always on the outside after a slow start, before staying gamely in the stretch. - Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race

5:09 SAR 8th ACE IN HAND (#9, 10-1) solid for $400k as a yearling as a half to multiple stakes winner Bluegrass Singer, from the family of major Group 1 winner in Japan Mr Melody; McPeek having an excellent meet, and he is capable with a first-time starter. - Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race

6:37 DMR 4th NOT A SINNER (#4, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Brad Free). | Get Past Performances for this race

7:30 RP 1st AFTERNOON DIVA (#1, 8-1) was off the board in her seasonal debut at Remington but that was no easy trip, as she rushed up to contend after stumbling at the start in a race that set up very well for the closers; could prove tough to reel in given a clean getaway. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

7:58 RP 2nd CODE MANDALORE (#5, 6-1) has been in search of that elusive second career win for some time, and he's racked up numerous placings along the way, but he's also been against the race flow in most of his recent starts; he worked out a forward trip in a paceless route in his latest and ended up running his best race in some time and he can run back to that figure given a favorable set up this time around. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

8:02 CBY 5th ULTRA XTREME (#6, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race

8:30 CBY 6th AINT BEHAVIN (#2, 8-1) did win nicely off the layoff three back. Allowance foes or a bounce help explain that try two back. He blew the start in his most recent on the turf. Turf and distance Tommies of 342/410 are just strong. Let's give this guy another shot on the green all at what might be a decent price. - Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

9:22 RP 5th BIRD OF PREY (#10, 8-1) is widest but she has the speed to get position from the outset, and she may be the one to get first run at expected pacesetter Minnie's Pearls; the two best Beyers of her career came in her first two starts, perhaps not coincidentally her only two starts at this distance. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

11:14 RP 9th STEEL LINK (#6, 12-1) is an upgrade candidate after showing speed and fading in his latest, a sprint that featured a race flow that favored the closers; shortens up some here, and while he's done his best work on the front end he's also rated effectively in the past, and that can prove important tonight given the fact that this field boasts several speed-types. - Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race