12 of the Best Horse Races for Friday, February 27th 2026
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DRF handicappers share their plays for the day, including best bets, for racing at Gulfstream, Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, Tampa Bay Downs, and Santa Anita.
Post Time: 12:20 ET
Track: Gulfstream (1st Race)
Horse: LILLESAND (#11, 8-1)
LILLESAND has beaten three home over two starts and for many that will be an easy throw out. Perhaps not so fast. We can forgive anyone's debut let alone a turf route. She shipped here for her second start and then was off slow. Also, did something go awry in that race hence the time off? Zayas gets a leg up and we just don't think he would be aboard unless this filly had a legit shot. Works are fine and this gal gets first Lasix. – Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 12:35 ET
Track: Tampa Bay Downs (1st Race)
Horse: JERSEY JOYCE (#7, 5-1)
JERSEY JOYCE impressed in the loss at The Meadowlands three back and then came back running off the bench for trainer Pat McBurney, an anomaly for a barn that usually races their absentees back into shape off a layoff; she was a sharp winner against maidens in her latest after a solid effort two back and she could still be on the improve. – Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 1:05 ET
Track: Tampa Bay Downs (2nd Race)
Horse: SUJO (#7, 10-1)
SUJO was squeezed by a pair of rivals at the start of his debut but he rallied with interest late, just missing the show while down inside a foe; he galloped out very well past the wire and he clearly stands to move forward today if he gets away cleanly. – Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 1:10 ET
Track: Aqueduct (1st Race)
Horse: CARADISE (#5, 5-1)
CARADISE established position early, then came with a good finish to run by the leaders late when breaking her maiden in an off-turf race going this distance at Saratoga last summer; made it 2 for 4 in her career when once again putting in a solid late run to close down dueling leaders in a short field last time; might be better than she looks, and she can take advantage of the added furlong in this spot. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 1:45 ET
Track: Fair Grounds (1st Race)
Horse: MYA PAPAYA (#5, 4-1)
If MYA PAPAYA can summon the speed she showed in her last-out turf race, she ought to be able to make the lead here, and class-droppers with speed are always dangerous. It's just that after two races, it's hard to know if this filly can run even enough to handle $15K maidens. She's got one larger and one smaller gap in the work pattern - we'll live with it. – Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 2:07 ET
Track: Tampa Bay Downs (4th Race)
Horse: SECURITYLIGHTNING (#7, 12-1)
SECURITYLIGHTNING is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny peck). | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 2:51 ET
Track: Gulfstream (6th Race)
Horse: HEARTBEAT (#6, 4-1)
HEARTBEAT is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 3:30 ET
Track: SA (1st Race)
Horse: PHOTOGENIC (#2, 6-1)
PHOTOGENIC can upset in this maiden-50 turf route following a better-than-looked effort last out. She ran against the race shape to finish fourth with a forwardly placed trip; the 1-2-3 finishers rallied from the back. PHOTOGENIC was the only "front-runner" to stick around; she actually finished well. Now she stretches from one mile to a mile and one-eighth in a race likely to unfold at a tepid pace. Bred for the distance, adding Lasix, PHOTOGENIC can score a mild upset with a front-running/pace-pressing trip. – Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 4:12 ET
Track: Tampa Bay Downs (8th Race)
Horse: SOUL STEALER (#1, 10-1)
SOUL STEALER cuts back to 5 1/2 furlongs and that should work to her advantage, as should today's addition of Lasix; she'll need an alert break from the fence but given that she will be involved immediately, and could get clear. – Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 4:16 ET
Track: Aqueduct (7th Race)
Horse: SLAY SADIE SLAY (#2, 7-2)
SLAY SADIE SLAY is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 4:16 ET
Track: Fair Grounds (6th Race)
Horse: MOONIE PIE (#6, 4-1)
MOONIE PIE is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 4:47 ET
Track: Aqueduct (8th Race)
Horse: BELLORO's (#6, 6-1)
BELLORO penchant for breaking a step slowly from the gate has persisted since the Saratoga debut, though she nearly overcame it when finishing a good second in her second career start, after which she dueled and prevailed to break her maiden a month later; has been in over her head in both starts since; drops. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
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