DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, May 12, 2023

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.

1:25 PIM 3^rd Here's hoping LA TRAVIESA (#5, 6-1) matured over the 174-day layoff as she ran in spots in some of her races last year. Tracked a quick (22.06) quarter two back at Delaware, couldn't keep up on the turn, then re-rallied through a big opening in between to get second over two next-out winners (fifth-finisher grabbed a $35,000 maiden claimer over Gulfstream's Tapeta with a 51 Beyer; has since won on synthetic). -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:55 PIM 4^th MELIPONINI BEE (#4, 7-2) finished off 2022 in fine form after being converted into a turf sprinter. Sat a solid midpack trip in final start of the year, then finished up nicely against two next-out winners (Our Strong Vows returned to take a first-level allowance with a 78 Beyer). She must deal with this sharp distance following a 194-day layoff, but she was only beaten a length after 138 days on the sidelines to kick off 2022 season. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:09 WO 3^rd MILAGRE DO SOL (#2, 6-1) is a debuting daughter of hot 15% first-out sire Good Magic, the sire of Kentucky Derby winner Mage. Her dam dropped turf stakes winners Stay in Vegas (G3) and Miss Technicality. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:32 BEL 4^th ITSAKEYPER (#1, 6-1) last started for this tag in September and she ran well that day to just come up short with a competitive figure; moved up for her final start of 2022 and ran well again; drops back down making her third start off the short layoff after a game effort vs. tougher last time at Tampa. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:39 WO 4^th MY GIRL HOOTER (#2, 15-1) raced wide throughout over an inside-favoring track in her comeback, a race that should set her up for this identical event. She has ample speed to chase and was victorious second time out last year. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:03 BEL 5^th DERWIN'S PAYNTER (#11, 20-1) hasn't run a fast race yet but thought she ran a bit better than it looks on debut when making an early run after failing to break sharply from the gate and finishing a clear second behind a front-running winner; was away poorly again in her second start, after which she had some early trouble; cuts back and switches from turf to dirt looking to improve. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:12 WO 5^th STERLING SPEED (#5, 8-1) tailed off in the fall and checked in third after saving ground in her season opener. She could end a long drought in her second try at this $25K NW3 class with Stein back aboard. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:20 GP 6^th HELLO SUCKER (#1, 9-2) ran okay on Tapeta here last year and he is coming off a solid effort at this level in Tampa where he crossed the wire first but had his number taken down for drifting out in the stretch and impeding the horse he edged by a half-length. The top pair finished over 15-lengths in front of the third horse and the 64 Beyer HELLO SUCKER received is the top figure in the race. -Randy Goulding | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:30 PIM 7^th ARISTOCAT (#2, 6-1), listed as a Laurel vet scratch on 5/5, worked out a good front-running trip over a speed-friendly track to beat weaker last month. Got away with an opening quarter of 24.99 while setting a four-ply pace from in between horses, made the rail after a half-mile, then drew away readily from that field in the stretch. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:34 BEL 6^th YOU LOOK COLD (#6, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:48 WO 8^th SPEED CHESS (#4, 8-1) got her number taken down after dusting $10K maidens Nov. 24, after which she was softened up in a speed duel when third in another six-furlong sprint, for $15K. She seems capable of wiring this inflated $25K field going 5 1/2 furlongs with Flores back in the tack. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:24 GG 5^th ZELAIA (#6, 6-1) has shown little since returning from a two-month layoff in mid-November, going winless in six starts. Her last race on turf, a win in an $8,000 claimer at a mile last September, is encouraging. Zelaia stalked the pace and took the lead in the final furlong. This $16,000 claimer could develop in a similar manner if runners such as SHERILINDA and Stateforest contribute to a quick pace. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:12 SA 7^th The third-place comeback by GETTHEMONEY (#2, 5-2) was better than the finish position indicates. It gives her a license to upset DOINITTHEHARDWAY in this entry-level allowance sprint for 3yo fillies. Romping maiden winner last summer, GETTHEMONEY lost her chance at the break in her comeback. She walked out of the gate to be away last, made a middle move through the turn, then lost her punch to finish third. Under the circumstances, her effort was outstanding. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets