DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Monday, May 25, 2020

With most other North American sports being shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, we hope the sport of horse racing can entertain you during these trying times. 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.

2:15 GP 4th GIBBERISH (#6, 8-1) made big middle move, hung late trying turf for the first time earlier in the session now returns to the main track and should be legged up for best yet with that race under her belt. Working forwardly for the outing. -Mike Welsch

2:46 GP 5th BIG AGENDA (#10, 8-1) comes up for straight tag for first time since early in his career, ran well enough last time with tough $50K starters to merit top billing if able to overcome the outside post. -Mike Welsch

4:00 SA 2nd Trainer Luis Mendez won the meet’s first two races for 2-year-olds, and his debut colt HENDAVID (#2, 4-1) can add to the total. He appears to have worked well in Utah, and he posted a sharp gate move last week at Santa Anita. By the win-early stallion Overanalyze (15 percent wins, debut 2yos), HENDAVID should come out firing. -Brad Free

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4:40 CD 8th DIGITAL (#5, 6-1) gets the cut back from route to sprint he’s been asking for all year and will be a fair price. Not sure if he can beat Echo Town “on the square,” but Echo Town is coming out of a very strong performance and could regress. – Marcus Hersh

5:00 SA 4th First time in for a claim tag, maiden-40 dropper KELANI KIM (#11, 7-2) might be the speed of the field based on the fractions she set her only previous start on this dirt track. Her trainer has been on a roll since the resumption of racing, and his dirt-sprint stats are super with MSW-to-MCL droppers. Mark Glatt is 6-for-9 in the category since January 2019. -Brad Free

5:30 SA 5th JOLIE OLIMPICA (#7, 9-2) lost for the first time in five starts last out, but she ran well under the circumstances. The multiple graded/group winner was stretching to a mile following a sharp turf sprint win, she set a hot pace, led to deep stretch, and got worn down to finish second. Too fast for her own good. That will not be a problem returning to a turf sprint. Shortening up, she can use her tactical speed to full advantage, JOLIE OLIMPICA could get a trip similar to her win two back. That is, just off the speed. Outside post gives her options in this speed-filled field. -Brad Free

5:34 SA 5th INTO MYSTIC (#6, 10-1) comes out of a 870-yard mixed-breed race at Los Al and into the Monrovia Stakes, but she has a good chance to at least outrun her odds in her turf debut. Yes, she has a lot of speed, but she was taken back to last two starts ago at SUN and looped the field between the 3/8 & 1/4 poles. Strong recent work pattern, turf in pedigree, and a likely overbet favorite in Jolie Olimpica. – Marcus Hersh

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6:25 GP 12th GLORY ROLL (#1, 15-1) gets tepid nod in finale breaking inside this time after getting hung wide from tough post in latest. Might try to steal it gate to wire with Jaramillo up. -Mike Welsch

6:48 FON 5th SHIP STALKER (#4, 6-1) moves back into the claiming ranks after a trio of starter allowance appearances. He also ran well on the cutback in distance last time and could be sharper here, in his second straight sprint start. -Mary Rampellini

7:00 SA 8th First-time starter FIERCE FOR SUL (#9, 15-1) reportedly has been flashing speed in morning works, she hails form a barn that does not mess around with fast-working first-time starters. Color her gone. -Brad Free

7:38 SA 9th MARCH TO THE ARCH (#9, 6-1) has been awfully unlucky of late. He’s got topclass ability and surely fits with these and with a full, contentious field including a number who will take money he might get lost in the shuffle on the board. – Michael Hammersly

7:38 SA 9th WITHOUT PAROLE (#1, 4-1) comes out of the Pegasus World Cup Turf, a race in which Lasix isn’t permitted. Will guess that accounts for his flat performance, and his BC Mile over the SA course was excellent and will win the Shoemaker, if he can get back to it. – Marcus Hersh

8:09 FON 8th RANBIR (#3, 6-1) has speed, has been knocking on the door all meet long, and draws an improved post over her most recent start. -Mary Rampellini