DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Monday, May 29, 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.

12:25 PIM 1st MY BOSS (#1, 9-2) returns from a 256-day layoff after facing two next-out winners at Delaware (Awesome Birdie returned to win a $20,000 "beaten" seller there with a 63 Beyer). Chased a hot pace in that heat before tiring in the stretch. Think she can get to the front here with an alert break. Concepcion lands here instead of I HAVE COURAGE and LOVELY LIZA. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

1:30 BEL 2nd ROAD TO REMEMBER (#1, 8-1) was carried in and bumped hard at the start, then tired after stalking the pace from the outside when brought back from the layoff last time; was in excellent form late last year after improving throughout that campaign; factors here if able to take a step forward in the second start back. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

2:37 CBY 2nd BRAHMS IS WHO (#1, 5-1) should offer some value. This mare was getting better near the end of the meet last summer. In fact, her last race came back key when 4 of 11 returned to win with figs of 63, 50, 58, and 57 (another finished 2nd with a 56 Beyer). Local works are longer and we know that this mare likes it here. Lots and lots of pace to set up her stalking/closing trip. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

2:38 MTH 5th MAGICAL MARRIAGE (#7, 5-1) faded in his first start of 2023, and he was sent to the sidelines immediately after that try, but he lands in a seemingly good spot for this, as he has the speed to stay close in a race that's light on pace; could well be the one they have to catch given aggressive handling in the opening stages. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

3:03 BEL 5th LADY JASMINE (#2, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race

3:05 LAD 1st HEREWECOMETOGETYOU (#6, 12-1) returned here off the layoff and beat half the field home. That is better than it looks as he broke dead last going only 5 1/2 furlongs all while sent off at 14-1. This barn is 21% second off this type of layoff and they show a flat bet profit. Sure, this horse has a penchant for less but he is capable of a Beyer in the low 60's which certainly fits here. He has hit the exacta in half of his local starts so we say he likes it here. He draws nicely and figures a nice price. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

3:09 MTH 6th V MART (#5, 8-1) was forced to race off the pace in his seasonal debut due to a slow start, but while he finished off the board there he didn't run a bad race at all; with speed to his inside and out he may have to rate in this one, and if he can relax some in the opening stages he could fall into a perfect trip. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

3:40 MTH 7th HARDSCRABBLE (#12, 8-1) was a very game winner against maidens when last seen, pressing the pace from the start and holding well to get the win in a race that otherwise favored the closers; this is his first start on the turf but the dam did win on the grass and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer wins at a 22% rate with turf sprinters. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

4:01 LAD 3rd CLERIC (#3, 12-1) has done all of his winning on this dirt. What if this gelding just dislikes Delta Downs? For what it is worth, his last race came back key when 2 of 8 returned to win with figs of 54 and 58. This gelding got Beyers of 51 and 55 when last seen here and one of those efforts was going only five furlongs. The price might be crazy good. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

4:06 BEL 7th ZEEBEAR (#6, 6-1) started out cheap, though he looked good winning that debut; improved in each subsequent start, including that win two back when managing to drop back away from a fast pace before coming with a strong finish; adaptable gelding projects to have some pace to attack here. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

4:43 LAD 4th HURRICANE TIZWAY (#3, 12-1) loves this dirt at 9-3-3-0. She won going this distance when last seen off a layoff and it came here. What if this mare hates Delta Downs? Her form going into last year's meet was about the same as recent form. We like Dominguez up and he is 30% for this barn locally. Race flow is fine and this mare has won twice at this tricky distance. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

4:45 GG 1st In an $8,000 claimer for maidens at a mile, LIBERTY WOLF (#5, 6-1) can achieve a breakthrough win in his 10th start with his customary run from off the pace. He has been second or third in his last three races at this level since mid-March, always closing with a wide rally. With Buttonwood Tree likely to set the pace, Liberty Wolf should have a pace to follow. He will be ridden by jockey Evin Roman, who had a five-win day on Friday and looks to have a strong book of mounts on this program as well. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race

5:44 BEL 10th ART OF COURAGE (#4, 30-1) was the lone firster in that field on debut in February and he was away from the gate last in a race that was dominated up close; showed improved speed in his second start but wound up dueling with Lifetime of Chance, who crushed that field with a 91 Beyer and returned to win a stake with an 87; by an underrated turf sire and is a half to three-time turf sprint winner Me 'n Sap. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

6:27 CBY 9th LINE TO GAIN (#1, 10-1) should be a good price if near 10-1 morning line. He ran great in his only turf start and it came in his debut which is doubly tough. He is just faster now. He ran Beyer tops 2 and 3 back while facing better. The leading rider from last summer gets a leg up and is 14% for this barn. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

6:27 GG 4th GOOD FOCUS (#4, 6-1) will be the runner to catch in this $12,500 claimer for non-winners of two. Good Focus led throughout a $5,000 claimer for maidens at five furlongs in January and has been second or third in three subsequent starts against winners. Good Focus does not have to have the lead, but is likely to inherit the position. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race

7:11 LAD 8th OAK HILL SOLUTION (#5, 12-1) is the value. He only tried the grass once but that race has fallen off current pp's. He should love a turf route with his Tomlinsons of 349/348. This barn is 12% on the green and 15% with their claimers. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

8:00 GG 7th LA VIKINA (#7, 8-1) was claimed for $25,000 by trainer Andy Mathis on April 21 when she finished a quiet fifth in a field of seven at a mile, fading from contention in the final furlong. For her first start for Mathis, La Vikina will race for the first time in a turf sprint, and can be a factor from off the pace in an open field. There will be plenty of pace to follow for a five-time winner such as La Vikina who was a sprint winner earlier in her career. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race

8:16 SA 9th Comeback filly EMERALD LAKE (#5, 8-1) gets the call to upset this competitive N1X turf mile. 'LAKE is making her first start since November, with a history of firing fresh. She won her career debut in a turf route, and last summer finished second in a statebred allowance turf mile in her comeback. Recent works appear strong, the figures 'LAKE earned last year are close enough to par. Tab for a minor upset. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race