DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, May 9, 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.

1:45 GP 3rd MARIPOSA BELLE (#6, 12-1) comes up for a tag, gets a set of blinkers for the occasion. Ran well enough two back vs. much stronger to merit a look at what could be a fair price for barn in midst of a pretty good meet. -Mike Welsch

2:01 TAM 4th That last running line for ATLAS MOON (#5, 9-5) is tough to simply dismiss, as something clearly went amiss for him in the early stages, but he has worked with intent as he makes his local debut for trainer Michael Tomlinson; expecting him to rebound as he moves back to the turf, which surely seems to be his preferred surface. -Kenny Peck

2:15 GP 4th DANA GRACE (#2, 6-1) ran far and away her best effort yet when returning to the turf five weeks earlier finishing behind only red hot Chiclet’s Dream while well clear of the others. Need only repeat effort to get back on winning track over what appears to be her preferred surface. -Mike Welsch

2:31 TAM 5th ALLURING APPROVAL (#10, 6-1) has hit the board in five straight races, her last two against similar company, and that was despite a wide trip last time and a slow start two back; she was behind R SWEET EXCHANGE three back but endured a more difficult trip than that rival, dueling for the lead from the start and dropping a tough decision late. -Kenny Peck

3:49 GP 7th ENVIED (#9, 6-1) and COMPENSATE (#10, 5-1) could prove beneficiaries of what might be a heated pace scenario. Former rallied belatedy behind in form (3 wins in a row) Poseidon’s Passion and even money Shippy despite wide run when trying distance for first time off the layoff. -Mike Welsch

4:27 GP 8th RESERVENOTATTAINED (#8, 8-1) goes second off the layoff while adding a set of blinkers to the equation. Should sit a good trip stalking the inside speed under Saez. WAR ACT had some traffic issues before rallying mildly under similar conditions last time. Continues to improve. -Mike Welsch

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4:40 TAM 9th TAKIN IT EASY (#3, 15-1) was against the race flow in each of her last two starts, including her latest, which at this same level, and those pace-compromised trips give her legitimate excuses for those losses; she was overmatched three back, when in against open $12,500 claimers but she can be expected to take a step forward here if she gets the race flow in her favor, and the price should be right. -Kenny Peck

4:59 GP 9th EL TORMENTA (#3, 12-1) one of two G1 winners in this lineup along with War of Will but obviously the more accomplished of the pair on turf. Tossing last when keyed up early from bad post. Sheds blinkers, draws inside, figures forwardly placed throughout. -Mike Welsch

5:10 TAM 10th DREAMING OF PARIS (#5, 2-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck).

5:30 GP 10th HARBOUR MASTER (#5, 12-1) makes local bow for new barn while taking big class drop in the process. Hard one to gauge but good enough to run these down if near his best. -Mike Welsch

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