DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, May 10, 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.

12:25 PIM 1st DUCKPINS (#4, 6-1) showed some promise in lone turf outing last year. Stalked three wide and in between horses, raced over in behind horses in upper stretch, eased out at the furlong marker, and came with a solid late kick. Can work out a tactical trip for barn that went 3 for the last 12 (25%, $2.65 ROI) moving dirt to turf. -Dan Illman

1:05 BAQ 1st SOONTOBEKING (#2, 5-1) is the first runner for new sire King for a Day, who was best routing but ran some big races along the way in a limited career. This colt looked good breezing 10-flat in March prior to selling for $80k, and he is from a female family that is full of excellent sprinters, including Say Florida Sandy, Dancin Renee, and Risky Rachel; Weaver had eight 2yo debut winners last year (8 for 24, $5.00 ROI). -Mike Beer

3:07 BAQ 5th BOOM BOOM THUNDER (#5, 12-1) caught a sloppy track on debut and went greenly in that race while finishing behind a couple of these same rivals; returned two weeks later at Finger Lakes, where he was faced with a tough cutback in distance and wound up getting a wide trip after being out-paced early; back quickly again, this time for Potts, and might be better than he looks. -Mike Beer

3:39 BAQ 6th SON OF A BIRCH (#5, 8-1) had legit excuses in all four turf starts on this circuit, including two stakes starts last year before getting a break; has improved out of town recently and comes back to NY following a game win with a new tip figure at Fair Grounds; lands in a tough field for the level but isn't overmatched by these horses. -Mike Beer

3:44 GP 6th RHUM SAINT ESPRIT (#7, 6-1) showed good speed in his debut and won on this synth at almost 7-1. He has worked three times since. Five of nine sibs beat winners. He draws outside again and is absolutely bred to love sprinting with his 418 distance Tomlinson. -Scott Ehlers

3:58 WO 6th GREAT KATE (#1, 10-1) completed her 2023 campaign on a positive note and can fire when fresh as evidenced by her victorious season opener in June. The closer has speed to run at in this seven-furlong event and the addition of perennial leading rider Kimura is a plus. -Ron Gierkink

4:45 GG 1st The first-time starter DAVID N RAYS CANDY (#1, 6-1) may draw support in this $12,500 claimer for maidens because of the lack of formidable opposition, and trainer Jamey Thomas's success with debut runners. Thomas has won with four of his last 15 first-time starters since late March of 2023. David N Rays Candy, who starts from the inside post, had a couple of promising works in April to suggest the 4-year-old filly may show speed. -Steve Andersen

4:48 GP 8th R B'S RUNNER (#2, 15-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers).

5:06 WO 8th GATHER (#2, 7-2) was a cheap purchase in Kentucky over the winter after failing to show much against much tougher on dirt in the Bluegrass state. The 4yo by 13% synthetic sprint sire Collected has been working right along for a capable layoff trainer, who's lured Kimura for the mount. -Ron Gierkink