DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, May 23, 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.

12:45 GP 1st OXBURGER (#1, 12-1) ships in from Fair Grounds where he kept steady diet of MSW company. Appears to have a pace edge over the several logical contenders in here if rider chooses to use it breaking from rail. -Mike Welsch

1:15 GP 2nd CONSILIUM (#6, 12-1) winless in a baker’s dozen chances but has knocked on the door on several occasions with this kind. Finished down on dead rail last out. Might be able to run these down on his best at a bit of a price. -Mike Welsch

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1:38 TAM 3rd YADI (#2, 7-2) gets back on the dirt after trying turf in his first start off the claim, and he didn’t run badly at all in that main track try two back, stalking the pace and making a mid-race run before he flattened out in the late stages; his tactical speed and inside post should mean he works out a favorable trip, as he should be close up from the start and there’s not a whole lot of obvious pace in this field. -Kenny Peck

3:04 CD 5th FIRST PREMIO (#8, 12-1) finished off a needed comeback race at GP (where he was overbet) well enough and should be set for a solid forward step now. Plenty of good spring CD turf races. – Marcus Hersh

3:11 TAM 6th SUPER TWENTY FIVE (#6, 4-1) makes her first start off the claim for trainer Juan Arriagada and that’s a strength of the barn, with a 19% win rate and $2.07 ROI. She clearly has high speed but she can also rate, as she proved in a couple of her wins over this strip last year, and that’s no small consideration given the amount of early speed in this field; big threat today if she can sit off the expected duel and make one run in the lane. -Kenny Peck

3:16 GP 6th WELL CONNECTED (#7, 4-1) ran credibly in only previous try earlier this winter and training forwardly for return for new barn. Should offer some value along with Louisiana invader MAN OF HONOR, who has also looked good lately in the a.m., squaring off against logical choice and likely odds on IMA PHAROAH, strictly one to beat off pair of near misses to kick off his career. -Mike Welsch

3:43 TAM 7th GO HIPPO GO (#6, 20-1) appears to be the deceptive clear speed in this seemingly paceless route, and if he’s able to get clear without much pressure and then back down the fractions he has a solid shot to steal this at a very nice price; his best turf Beyers are on par with the likely favorites in this field, and given a pace edge he has license to run his best race yet if ready off the layoff, and his suggest that he is. -Kenny Peck

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4:02 SA 2nd An auspicious debut by the $1.4 million yearling BELIEVE NOW (#4, 5-2) stamps the second-start 3yo the one to beat stretching to a route in just his second start. His fourth-place sprint debut was super. He was hard-held while racing sixth in traffic, angled out for room in the stretch, finished well and galloped out big. ‘NOW posted a series of sharp recent works; the 3yo Uncle Mo colt looks like a good one. -Brad Free

4:21 GP 8th DEVOTED KITTEN (#7, 9-2) might offer a little value in extremely wide open event. Sheds blinkers, was beaten only a neck by tough Belgrano for $16K three back when allowed to hang close to the early pace. Repeat of that effort good enough to beat these. -Mike Welsch

4:40 CD 8th WALK IN MARRAKESH (#3, 10-1) is only one race removed from a contending performance and am willing to just draw a line through the last start at GP. She was coming hard at Outburst two back at TAM. Looks like she’s a work in progress rating behind horses & would prefer a firmer course. – Marcus Hersh

4:52 GP 9th MALIBU MAX (#1, 5-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Welsch).

5:55 GP 11th SWEET STORY (#7, 20-1) in new hands off the claim, did not get the best of trips last time. Returns against state breds for first time since winning this conditions in June of 2019. Should offer value in another turf toughee. -Mike Welsch