DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, May 13, 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.
2:10 PIM 4th IRISHMAN (#10, 6-1) made an early four-wide move on the backstretch, was hung out five deep on the second turn and into the stretch, and tried hard to finish a good fourth behind a gate-to-wire winner in recent turf return. Not a great post position for this two-turn route, but capable of moving forward in second start of the form cycle. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:03 BEL 5th POSITIVE SUM (#8, 6-1) made one start as a 2yo last summer at Saratoga, where she chased to no avail while looking a bit green; might have really needed that start, but didn't turn up again for almost nine months and was on turf for her 3yo debut; back to dirt dropping in class and has a chance to improve now as she breaks from the outside post. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:34 BEL 6th ENID (#5, 6-1) has plenty to prove making his turf debut vs. a strong allowance field but he has improved noticeably since switching surfaces off the claim for Maker and his early speed - of which he has plenty - makes him dangerous in this race; toyed with that field breaking his maiden off the long layoff and matched that figure when rating wide running away from allowance rivals with a strong finish. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:42 PIM 7th MINT GAME (#10, 15-1) might have been a bit unlucky when facing three next-out winners (B Determined returned to take a first-level allowance with a 78 Beyer) in the Maryland Million Turf Starter two back. He had a good pace scenario up front, but stayed inside on the second turn, and allowed the winner to get the jump on him from behind from the outside. Altered course into the clear and was running on strongly at the end. The layoff and pace scenario are concerns. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:08 BEL 7th FIFTH ANNIVERSARY (#1, 5-1) returned from the layoff with an easy win and a new top figure in January then was sold for $120k the following week; ran well in all four starts last year in Canada, including the lone turf attempt when second-best to a good horse in a $125k stake; has speed from the inside making her first start for Morley and she has plenty of upside. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:02 GP 8th CASH IN A FLASH (#3, 4-1) took a long time to make it back to the races after an encouraging debut and he came back strong, winning a maiden special weight race from a stalking position. The half-brother to Souper Escape, a multiple Grade 3 winner on Tapeta, figures to move forward with a race behind him and his breeding suggest his future could be bright. -Randy Goulding | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:20 WO 2nd SASKATCHEWAN (#6, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
6:45 SA 6th LEYAS CANDY (#9, 5-1) has worked well for this first run for a trainer with strong debut-win numbers. His works hint at speed and from his outside post maybe that leads him into a real nice trip stalking favorites and pacesetters DUTCH BUS and CREATIVE PEAK. -Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:23 WO 6th MESA SKYLINE (#7, 7-2) comes off a conditioned-claiming score on the dirt at Tampa and could carry that momentum to this $7.5K tilt on Tapeta, a surface over which he nearly won early in 2021 at Turfway. He's worked twice here on the Tapeta this month and should be a square price. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:35 LS 1st TRULY DANZIG (#4, 12-1) is just better since the layoff and don't forget that this gelding is only a 5YO. He is bred to love the grass and we see late bloomers on the grass from time to time. Form cycle hints at better and this horse has won on the local sod before. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:48 SA 8th TODAY MATTERS (#9, 5-1) ran his best race the one time he was asked to go 9fs on turf. That came here March 18 as he set the early pace, fell back a bit into stalking mode but came on again to be a sharp 2nd. He was then 5th at this level here April 9 but that came at a mile so maybe this 9f game players better for him. He worked well since at LA. -Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
8:59 LS 4th BECKY'S TATTOO (#7, 10-1) didn't fire last out but was stuck in the mud. We like that this filly often starts fast and that she draws outside today. Trainer stats are rock solid. This filly figures as good a trip as anyone and might be a decent price if near 10-1 morning line. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
9:27 LS 5th REBEL POSSE (#3, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
10:51 LS 8th CAIRO WARRIOR (#8, 10-1) is feeling good, will be a price, has won on this sod, and has some tactical speed. New barn is 21% off the claim. Turf breeding is good so why can't this guy continue to improve? -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
6:55 YR (Harness) 1st BOURBONS COURAGE (#8, 9-2) had an easy time of it last week versus similar and I don't see the eight hole being a serious problem for this Dowse trainee. – Matt Rose | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
8:45 WBS (Harness) 6th DULY RESOLVED (#1, 2-1) leaves little doubt that he’s the best in here and he should kick off his sophomore campaign with a chalky win; best bet. – Garnet Barnsdale | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
10:50 MED (Harness) 12th FASHION SCHOONER (#1, 5-2) went off the favorite versus Venerable last week and now lures driver Tetrick off a sharp rival. The sky is the limit for this daughter of Walner-Broadway Schooner. – Derick Giwner | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets