DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, June 7, 2024

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.

12:20 SAR 1st PENTATHLON (#3, 12-1) lacked speed in the six-furlong debut here as a 2yo; improved noticeably in his second start when part of a contested pace going a mile vs a strong MSW field; well-bred colt starts back as a 3yo with Lasix on and forward to go. -Mike Beer

1:24 GP 2nd NEOPHYTE (#3, 6-1) catches a race devoid of speed and is our pick to find the front end where an early breather awaits. This gelding likes the Tapeta well enough to have hit the exacta in 7 of 16 starts. -Scott Ehlers

1:34 LRL 3rd TIK TOK DADDY (#1, 15-1) tries the turf for the first time for trainer Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon after four consecutive off the board finishes over the main track to kick off his career. This barn does not excel with horses moving from turf-to-dirt, but the dam won 3 of 12 over the lawn and this group lacks runners with significant grass experience. Hopefully, jockey Yomar Ortiz can work out a favorable voyage from his inside draw. -Scott Shapiro

1:44 WO 2nd MOON FLASHER (#9, 15-1) worked quickly from the gate twice and the 4yo is reasonably spotted in this bottom-level maiden sprint. His dam notched her debut early in her 3yo season for $12.5K at Gulfstream. -Ron Gierkink

2:01 SAR 4th LEFTEMBEHIND (#11, 10-1) broke his maiden over this track last summer when switched from turf-to-dirt, then earned a new Beyer top in his next start; went turf-to-dirt again at the end of the year, and moved forward slightly when just missing at a big price; switching surfaces one more time as he cuts back to sprint second off the layoff. -Mike Beer

2:32 LRL 5th GREAT KISSER (#4, 8-1) moves to the turf for the first time after running too good to lose at Delaware Park in mid-May. The Maryland-bred was hustled out of his inside draw and chased a 45-1 longshot before taking control at the top of the lane in that initial start off the freshening last month. Unfortunately, the Great Notion gelding may have moved too early and was unable to hold off odds-on favorite, Intrepid's Legacy but he lost little in defeat. -Scott Shapiro

3:11 SAR 6th SANDERSON (#11, 12-1) gained valuable experience when sprinting on debut here last September; stretched out for his return to turf two starts later and won impressively while also appearing to be much more professional in the running; was a big price behind SPIRIT PRINCE in the Central Park when last seen, but he made a bold run into that race before weakening just a bit late; upside switching to a trainer who has been excellent with horses returning from long layoffs. -Mike Beer

4:00 WO 6th BOLD RELOAD (#3, 8-1) ran super in both of his turf starts on different courses, ending up second most recently after putting away the other speed. He's drawn inside the other early foot in this five-furlong inner turf dash and should take some catching if able to outrun Courageous Copper for the lead. -Ron Gierkink

4:04 LRL 8th ARDEN'SLUCKYTOBE (#5, 12-1) failed to make the front end in his recent seventh-place effort at Pimlico where he chased 2-1 winner, Point Dume early before tiring late. He should have no issue making the lead though in this spot. The Diana McClure trainee has earned all three career victories over the Laurel main track and should be allowed to set a moderate early tempo under Tais Lyapustina. -Scott Shapiro

4:36 LRL 9th GANBATTE (#2, 8-1) has only hit the board once in seven career starts, but he could have a pace advantage stretching out to two turns for the first time for trainer Suzanne Stettinius. The daughter of Outwork should be able to handle the added ground in her third start off the bench for a barn that is 2 for 10 over the last 30 days with a 9-1 and 7-1 winner. -Scott Shapiro

6:05 SAR 11th SURPRISINGLY (#13, 15-1) was rock-solid last year but she appears to have upped her game as a 5yo and comes into this first Grade 1 try a bit dirtied up after two straight trips that didn't work out for her; not sure she wants to go long anyway, but getting caught behind horses as winner McKullick got the jump on the outside cost her in the Orchid two back. -Mike Beer

8:33 GG 6th WHAT A RELIEF (#2, 8-1) set the pace in an $8,000 claimer for maidens on May 18 and was caught in the final furlong, fading to finish third. This time, What a Relief may stay in front. He set a quick pace through the opening quarter-mile of 21.76 seconds on May 18, and is highly unlikely to go that quickly in this field, which lacks other runners capable of applying pressure. -Steve Andersen