DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, May 22, 2021

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.

12:50 GP 2nd FINANCIAL SYSTEM (#7, 5-1) broke a step slow, turned in even try first off the claim last time now stretches back around two turns, projects to sit a nice stalking trip behind Uncork the Bottle. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:09 PIM 2nd Not a ton of turf pedigree for APRILNESS (#7, 9-2) (sire scores with 8% of first-turf runners; dam has foaled one turf winner from seven grass performers), but it appears the consistent filly has found a nice spot for her surface debut. Chased Shackaboom in vain last time out on the main track, but her numbers are also going the right way and she shouldn’t be too far off that one when they turn for home. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:38 PIM 3rd AMERICANO (#2, 8-1) benefited from the class drop to defeat “beaten” nickels earlier in the month. Held up at the back of the pack, he moved five wide into contention on the turn before swinging four deep into the lane. Got away from that weaker field nicely despite the earlier ground loss. He’ll have to prove his mettle against open sellers, but it appears he’s returned in good order from his winter vacation. Also want to use EXTRA MEDIUM and SPOKANE EAGLE in multiple-race wagers. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:11 PIM 6th TARGE (#3, 4-1) seems well-placed in this “two-life” claimer after finishing ahead of three-time winner Insightful in first start off the Dale Capuano claim. Tracked the winner’s pace inside, altered course outside that one turning for home and gave an even finish. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:35 LS 1st GLITTER BRIGHT (#7, 9-2) gets the nod on the move back to the statebred ranks following a series of starts against open foes. In addition, the race she exits has become a key one, with the winner coming back to take an N1X at LS with a Beyer of 73 and the fifth-place finisher, Badger Candy, a $12.5K claimer at LaD, with a Beyer of 69. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:45 LAD 1st WASABI MOON (#3, 9-2) just ran a tad better at Oaklawn and now gets a jockey upgrade from Harr to Nieves. The added half furlong is even bigger as this gelding is an elongated sprint specialist. Yet to try this dirt but that won’t deter us. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:31 LS 3rd CANOODLING (#7, 7-2) started her career in Southern California and shows a series of strong local works for her first out since January. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:46 PIM 9th DIXIE’S FASCINATOR (#5, 5-1) gave career-best effort in first start following 255-day layoff last spring so not too concerned about the 217 days off leading up to this race. Not a bad effort chasing odds-on gate-to-wire winner Splasherstown at Laurel on July 25 as she was bumped several times early before stalking three wide. Bullet workout on Laurel sod leading up to return. Marquez lands here instead of All About Audrey. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:02 GP 10th SAGUARO ROW (#1, 9-2) dropping out of graded stakes company and working well exiting wide trip when totally over-matched in the Ruffian. Back to winning ways today. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:03 LAD 4th KASENS TRAIN (#5, 4-1) did try tougher in his first three starts and although the results weren’t good we have pocket excuses for all of them. Fast forward to his most recent and you see him trying this dirt for the first time at a not so easy return distance of 6 1/2 furlongs. He beat half the field home and has every right to improve today all while facing a ho hum field. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:21 LAD 7th HIGH RIDGE (#6, 6-1) is by a 16% debut turf sire. His dam went 14-1-0-3 on the green for 40K. Four sibs failed to hit the board on the green but they only had a combined 7 starts. This guy seems better every other start so maybe that bodes well for today. He has hit the board in two of three on a wet track if this comes off. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:37 LS 7th The consistent BROCK ON BY (#5, 7-2) should be sharp for the return to two turns off the sprint start. As for the move to dirt, he’s run well over the surface in the past. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:36 LS 9th PATRIOT’S WAR (#4, 5-1) closed from 12th for third at this distance last out and the start was his first over the course at Lone Star. Earlier in his career he was based in Kentucky. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets