DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, June 17, 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 LRL 1^st ONE LAS OLAS (#6, 12-1) has won 3 of her last 4 including a smashing win over $12,500 foes routing on PIM dirt May 28. McMahon saw fit to claim her and moves her to turf and while it's her first time on this ground she's by a solid turf sire. She does her best in the lane but that May 28 win shows she doesn't have to come from way out of it. -Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race

1:10 WO 1^st BOUND LUCKY (#1, 10-1) has worked nicely for his first outing since a Dec. 2 fade job against $10K NW3 opposition and should be ready to roll. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

2:28 MTH 5^th DIXIE GROOVE (#5, 6-1) had a most tumultuous trip in that local debut, as she seemed to lose all chance with a slow start and traffic woes that caused her to check down inside early, but she was able to close with energy late in a sensational effort for a filly at this level; lots of upside here given a clean trip. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

2:49 GP 5^th NIKEE KAN (#2, 5-1) ran credibly last time in overnight handicap on grass now back to the sunthetic over which she was very competitive with this same kind on a couple of occasions over the previous several months. Old pro still knows how to get it done in the right spot. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

3:22 MTH 7^th FERAL'S JOY (#7, 5-1) was 2nd over this course in his career debut, and though he was off the board in that last one he hardly ran a poor race; resulting Beyer -- and the figure he posted at Laurel in his first start off the layoff -- give him strong credibility. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

3:50 GP 7^th LUNA WEST (#6, 30-1) won first baby race of the year in 2022 then disappeared for 14 months before returning in one spot. Could stand some catching again if handling the Tapeta off that bullet gate drill here prepping for return. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

3:54 WO 6^th AIROSA (#11, 6-1) has been working right along for trainer Kevin Attard, who swept the first two baby races at the meet. The Ontario-bred daughter of the popular Uncle Mo, who's sired 14% 2yo debut winners, was a $400K Keeneland yearling purchase. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

4:16 MTH 9^th GO GREEN (#3, 10-1) was caught wide on the first turn and he then closed with interest through the lane in a very good effort, one which resulted in the best Beyer of his short career; he's usually closer to the pace than that but perhaps he's better when he takes back and tries to make one run. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

4:47 BEL 8^th EMBOITE (#3, 5-1) wasn't defeating Easter anyway, but he might have needed that run off the layoff last time while sitting a good trip and proving to be no match in the stretch; improved steadily last year and projects for another good trip in this spot while facing a short field with little speed signed on. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

4:57 LAD 5^th SWIZZLECITY (#11, 8-1) was stuck in the 10 hole in her return try and then faltered after a mid race move. Now she drops a notch and gets back to a sod where she has won before. This horse has worked at least three times since her most recent and we like that more than anything. First call rider gets a leg up and is 25% for this barn. Her last race came back key when 2 of 8 returned to win with figs of 72 and 62. Alas, another outside post can't be helped. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

5:22 GP 10^th FULTON MARKET (#4, 8-1) broke slow, never threatened making 2023 debut on turf now returns to preferred surface for re-match with likely favorite CHOOSE JOY who is probably better suited to grass. Working bullets for this. Might spring the upset. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

5:51 BEL 10^th MOSTLY HARMLESS (#4, 8-1) is just 1 for 23 overall and winless on turf, though five of her eight starts on this surface came in the MSW ranks, and she faced winners as a maiden in another; not overmatched here and she will be a price. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

5:53 LAD 7^th PICKENS (#4, 9-2) did get a confidence boost in his most recent at Lone Star. Form cycle hints at better and this gelding loves this dirt. We count at least two in here with speed and maybe a couple more with some speed so the pace should be more than honest. This barn is 23% with horses that won their last race. Class jump helps the price. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

6:21 LAD 8^th WAR COUNT (#9, 12-1) is a horse for course that gets back to the local lawn. His last try on this sod was a wire to wire winner at 4-1 and versus better. His most recent is poor but he broke poorly. Win rider stays put and you get the leading barn in your corner. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

8:30 SA 10^th LEYAS CANDY (#4, 5-1) who lugged out, shuffled and cracked his most recent start, stretches to a mile on turf in this Cal-bred allowance. He has speed for a forwardly placed trip, he has run well on turf and around two turns, and gets the call in a competitive race. Obviously, his last start must be disregarded. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race

9:07 CBY 7^th DILLON ROCKS (#1, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race