DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, June 9, 2023
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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.
12:25 LRL 1st HEARTBURN (#6, 8-1) battled inside a 52-1 shot that finished last, turned for home with the lead, then succumbed to two closers that were seventh and tenth after the opening half. Must avoid another early battle as there are a couple of stretch-out sprinters that could add to the pace, but she appears to be racing herself back into shape for this, her fourth start of the year. Expect her to be right there when they turn for home. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
12:50 BEL 1st LEFTEMBEHIND (#5, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:22 BEL 2nd ELUSIVE EDGE (#2, 6-1) sprinted on turf four times in the second half of 2021, showing two wins and a close second from those starts while showing admirable versatility; missed a lot of time after winning over this distance in his final start of that campaign; needed that first one back when outside all the way; improved last time but was blocked at the top of the stretch as the 1-2 finishers got clean runs to his outside; can adapt to any pace third off the bench and will be a fair price. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:36 GP 2nd SUGAR N SPICE (#7, 8-1) is a February bred so she has an age advantage over a few of these. Four of nine sibs beat winners. This filly draws better and owns a recent work. She got some play in her debut and ran evenly while earning valuable race experience. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:00 MTH 1st ABE HONESTLY (#2, 12-1) is better than that last running line might indicate, as he was stuck down inside on a day when the rail seemed to be deep; he's had limited success on the turf but he does seem to be a better horse now than he was last year, the last time he was on this surface. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:25 LRL 5th NOBLE CONQUEST (#7, 6-1) looked good kicking down a couple of fields at Monmouth last summer, then was overmatched when entered for a quarter in New York in his final start of the year (the winner of that race returned to finish second in an off-turf restricted stake at Churchill with a 90 Beyer, then was third in a stakes race at Fair Grounds with an 88). There's a chance he'll need one off the layoff, but he can threaten with a late kick in first over this circuit. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:36 GP 4th RAKA RAKA CRUZ (#7, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:40 WO 4th WILD CONVERSATION (#4, 8-1) possesses some turf breeding and could put it all together in his first grass assignment while moving out from five to seven furlongs. Morden has excellent numbers second time off a layoff. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:56 MTH 3rd VOICE OF SPRING (#7, 9-2) was a decent third in a race that seemed to come up quick -- and which has already produced a next-out winner -- closing some ground while down inside and galloping out well past the wire; has more speed than she showed there and that can be an important consideration given the relative lack of pace in this field. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:08 GP 5th LEXINATOR (#2, 6-1) just ran better and did so at 5-1 while facing only five foes. Those tries 3 and 4 back were better. So what we are saying is that this mare is moving in the right direction. We think she is starting to get a feel for this Tapeta surface. She wants to pass runners and gets good race flow. A recent fast work rounds out the appeal (3rd best of 26). -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:24 MTH 4th EXCLUSIVE CHAMPION (#7, 6-1) exits the same race as several of these runners, a sprint that came up slow (the winner posted a 34 Beyer, where the average winning figure for the class and distance is 51) but she did show some late interest there and she galloped out well enough; addition of blinkers and Lasix add to the appeal. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:17 WO 7th ROBITAILLE (#2, 12-1) has run hot and cold on the Tapeta since getting claimed for $25K nearly a year ago. The well-bred son of 14% grass sire Quality Road is a half-brother to G1 Summer Stakes victor Gretzky the Great and could rule the roost in this inner turf route. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:48 MTH 7th ALL THAT MAGIC (#5, 6-1) makes her first start on the turf but the dam has produced at least three winners on the grass, including Swirling, who won her own debut on the green; she showed speed in her two starts vs. winners on the main track but both were races that featured a good amount of early zip, and she held gamely for the place in that last one. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:14 BEL 9th ACCEDE (#8, 8-1) was an impressive debut winner sprinting while managing to keep up early and then powering home; stepped right up last time and ran well again to make a run to contention off the turn, before holding her position to the finish behind two talented fillies; forward to go and the distance should not be an issue. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:28 GG 3rd A CROWN FOR KITTEN (#4, 6-1) has a closing style that should work well in an allowance race for fillies and mares at 1 1-16 miles on turf. She closed from 10th of 12 to finish third in a similar race at a mile on May 14, and will appreciate a slightly longer race. Tactically, this should race should set up well for A Crown for Kitten, who can follow quick runners such as Swall or CALLHERCONTESSA who have been shown speed. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:36 GG 7th HAPPY IS (#1, 10-1) won a maiden race on turf at Golden Gate Fields in April 2022 in her lone start on the surface, experience that can could serve her well in a $12,500 claimer for non-winners of two at a mile. Happy Is was seventh of eight in a race at this level on the synthetic track on May 14 in her first start of the year, a suitable prep for this start. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets