DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, April 8, 2022

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.

1:15 LRL 2nd GIOVANNY'S HONOR (#7, 6-1) is out of a half-sister to multiple Grade 3-winning synthetic sprinter Southern Ring. Although there are plenty of turf and synthetic influences in this pedigree, the second dam was a multiple stakes-winning dirt router, and this is the family of Canadian champion Catch the Ring (Grade 3 winner routing on dirt). April 2 gate workout matches up with barn's 5-year-old Mr Everything (64 synthetic Beyer). Perhaps they breezed in company. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:46 TAM 4th Only six entered in this sprint but there's no shortage of speed in this field, and that should work to the advantage of PREPARE FOR GLORY (#4, 6-1); he was off the board when last seen but he was checked in the lane, seemingly with run, and he may be able to make the last run today if he gets a clean trip and the pace scenario develops as expected. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:52 AQU 2nd EASTER (#6, 5-1) won a couple of races in France early on, then went 0-5 as a 3yo while facing some tough competition; Motion excels with foreign shippers and brings this one in off the break with Lasix on as a new gelding. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:53 LRL 3rd BOONDOGGLE (#5, 6-1) set a solid pace outside 32 to 1 shot El Equalizer (finished last), shook clear and had no issues with that group. He's going to have to retain that form against this tougher field, but might have found his preferred running style up front and can snag the early lead. Reclaimed by low-profile connections and that might help his price. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:21 AQU 3rd GOLQUIST (#9, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:48 TAM 6th HE'S SMOKIN NOW (#7, 10-1) ran a solid race in defeat last time when third, as he didn't get all that much help from the race flow, as the odds-on winner was the dominant speed; this appears to be a completely different story, as there is ample pace to his inside, and he can run them all down late given an improved set up. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:20 TAM 7th Gulfstream shipper ICY STORM (#4, 9-2) finished off the board in all three of his starts vs. winners but the Beyers he posted in those races fit well as he faces the locals for the first time; tactical speed should mean a favorable trip just off the speeds. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:40 KEE 6th LUV DRAGON (#6, 12-1) might have been ready for one of those $55K maiden races at FG but was held back for this $100K KEE MSW. Have not seen the filly breeze bit there are any number of very suggestive drills in the long work pattern. Al Stall doesn't have a win with a dirt-sprint MSW first-time the last five years at KEE but is 20-percent overall with such runners. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:56 AQU 6th LIBRETTO (#1, 6-1) is by 13% debut sire Fastnet Rock and from a female family that includes two European champions, including Lando, an earner of over $3 million; breaks from a cozy inside post for an excellent first-out trainer. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:12 KEE 7th You watch trainer D Stewart long enough and realize his young horses often don't develop along standard lines. MAGNOLIA MIDNIGHT (#10, 12-1) is typical, improving with racing and experience and finally putting things together over the winter at Oaklawn. Stuck in traffic from the 3/8 to the 3/16 poles, he came confidently through a fairly tight gap and won going away with a sustained outside run, the strong gallop out -- and a bunch of other things - suggesting he'll love this 7f trip. -Marcus Hersh | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:20 TAM 9th MR. MAZZA (#5, 8-1) gets back on the turf for the first time since December of 2020, and while he was off the board in both of his two starts on the grass at that time the Beyers he posted suggest that could be his best surface; he doesn't meet the deepest of fields here and trainer Jesus Cruz does sport solid stats with horses moving from dirt to turf. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:27 AQU 7th UNBRIDLED BOMBER (#1, 6-1) steadily improved through racing and scored a maiden win over a one-turn mile in his fourth start while rallying gamely from the back and getting up once finding room in the stretch; first two starts as a 3yo came vs stakes rivals over wet tracks, and he ran pretty well in the Withers to just miss 2nd/3rd after getting shut off at the start. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:33 OP 6th HIGHTAIL COWBOY (#3, 6-1) gets his first shot with Arkansas-breds with the move to Oaklawn. He has fared well against open foes at Sam Houston. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:51 GP 8th FREAK (#5, 5-1) in very dangerous hands for first time after being totally over-matched in latest. Has been competitive with several of these in the past. Distance a question but should trip out well off what figures to be very lively pace. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:04 OP 7th VENTURE FORTH (#6, 7-2) picks up more ground with the move to a mile and three-sixteenths and he figures to make good use of the real estate as one who has had success over a mile and a half. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:07 SA 3rd PRINCE MAGICIAN (#3, 5-1) can upset THIRSTY ALWAYS in this low-level claiming sprint restricted to 3-year-olds and older non-winners of two. 'MAGICIAN has not raced since July, but he has run well fresh and his best races have been dirt sprints at Santa Anita. He gets pace to flatter his rally, and returns while employing the no-claim waiver, which typically signals optimism. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:12 LRL 9th BEARGREASE (#4, 5-1) breezed a furlong in 10 1/5 before being purchased in a private sale at last spring's auction. She's by an 18% debut sire out of a route-winning half-sister to stakes-winning turf router Runaway Victor and stakes-winning dirt sprinter Roberto's Minister. Barn can pop with a firster at a price, but it's possible this filly might want a bit more distance. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:37 SA 4th EXIT SOUL (#1, 5-1) can post a minor upset in this split of race 1, a mile and one-eighth on turf for maiden fillies and mares. She had significant trouble both starts including a sixth-place finish last out. She steadied sharply near the eighth pole, then got going again and finished with run. A mile and one-eighth should be ideal. If there is a concern, it is the gap in her workouts from Feb. 19 to March 25. She missed time after getting sick. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:10 TUP 4th KIKI MY STAR (#9, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:42 SA 6th ROSES AND CANDY (#1, 4-1) won this starter allowance condition in November, then later was disqualified. She returns from a layoff of more than four months, with proven form over the Santa Anita turf and can rally for the win. At age 7, she is no sure thing. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:10 TUP 6th MADIGAN SQUEEZE (#6, 6-1) tried the boys going two furlongs previously and ran a nice 3rd beaten less than a length. She did so at 19-1. Connections waste little time finding her this shortened sprint. We think this filly runs a race like her win three back which came at this distance and from an outside post. Second time with new barn is another plus and we like that send jockey Ybarra gets a leg up. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets