DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, May 18, 2024

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.

2:12 GP 3rd AMOR LEJANO (#6, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Welsch).

2:34 BAQ 5th CITY MISCHIEF (#3, 3-1) was going to win that turf sprint at Saratoga last July but bobbled a couple of different times while coming with late momentum and wound up falling short; has run some faster races since then in some tougher spots; can handle this distance but needs some pace. – Mike Beer

3:37 BAQ 7th MAJESTIC FRONTIER (#7, 5-1) nearly overcame a stumbling start followed by a couple of bumps when just missing with a career-best 84 Beyer back in February, then came right back to win his next start going longer; was on a difficult cutback in distance two starts back when getting untracked too late, and he got in too tough when up in class last time; drops back down and might be in better form than it appears. – Mike Beer

4:36 BAQ 9th ASSET PURCHASE (#4, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer)

4:47 GP 8th SWIRVIN (#5, 7-2) got punch at the start and put in unfamiliar territory early on while also over-matched to boot last time. Back in more suitable spot here. Zayas stays. Might try to steal this one on front end with a clean beginning. – Mike Welsch

5:00 SA 3rd This maiden-20 sprint is a split of race 4; comeback drills by ALOHA CHROME (#3, 5-1) suggest he is ready to fire in his first start since a last-place debut in January 2023. He outworked company from the gate April 27 (viewed online) and can fire his best shot first start back. – Brad Free

7:55 CBY 3rd PAPA RIZZO (#7, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers)

8:09 SA 8th MC VAY (#9, 5-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Brad Free).