DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, June 18, 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.

12:40 MTH 1st DUQUESNE (#5, 5-1) has a decent late kick and should get ample pace to chase in the opener, as there are several confirmed speeds in this lineup; dangerous if ready off the layoff. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

1:44 WO 2nd DISSECTOLOGIST (#7, 20-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Get PPs for this race

2:18 WO 3rd WONT FORGET YOU (#3, 10-1) is debuting with a blend of speed and stamina in his pedigree for a 5% first-out trainer. The homebred dusted company in his five-furlong breeze last weekend and doesn't have much to beat in this $25K maiden event. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

2:30 LRL 5th KRONE (#9, 4-1) didn't do much in her first turf try at this level here May 4 but perked up considerably at PIM at this level May 27, rallying for 2nd. Could be she's comfortable with this ground and that she's getting the hang of things. -Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race

2:38 BEL 4th ACADEMY CHOICE (#3, 8-1) got rained off on debut and looked like he needed that experience while racing greenly through the kickback behind an odds-on winner; stretched out in the turf debut last time and was forced to concede after showing speed as that pace was fast; cuts back and might be faster than he looks early. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

2:39 MTH 5th FAST MULE (#5, 6-1) added Lasix for that last one but she didn't show her customary speed in that abbreviated dash, which was against much better, as the AN2X level at Charles Town features some of the better runners on the grounds; goes a little longer and catches a field light on pace, and she could shake loose if pushed some out of the gate. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

3:10 BEL 5th RAMBLIN' WRECK (#6, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race

3:26 WO 5th BABBO (#6, 8-1) is by the superb speed/debut sire Kantharos and out of stakes-winning first-out winner at 2 who produced a stakes-placed sprinter. The $95K yearling buy has worked steadily for trainer Sid Attard, who fared well with his debuting juveniles last year. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

3:37 CBY 4th RUNAWAY READY (#1, 6-1) ran 2nd in his only local turf start and did so at 9-1. He didn't do much in his return try but 6 1/2 furlongs isn't a picnic in that spot. We know this horse likes it here and he does run for a high percentage barn. He gets to save all the early ground from his rail draw and figures a good price if near 6-1 morning line. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

3:51 GP 7th RECONNECTING (#10, 8-1) ran evenly in her only start on the Tapeta yet it came in her debut while sent off at 56-1. She even had some trouble in said race. Nothing but the turf after that and with some success before today's return to the synth. This barn is 22% going turf to synth. Vasquez gets a leg up and is 20% for this barn. This outside post is a small knock. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

3:59 WO 6th SPIRITWOOD (#8, 20-1) never challenged after getting away slowly when debuting around two turns at Gulfstream. The son of former leading turf sire Kitten's Joy is adding blinkers and Lasix for this longer maiden special, and deserves another chance on the grass off some solid works. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

4:00 SA 3rd VERY SCARY (#8, 4-1), graded stakes-placed twice this meet at a mile on turf, drops in class and stretches out following a fourth-place finish in a downhill sprint stakes. Either of her third-place stakes finishes would be fast enough for this N2X turf mile. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race

4:39 MTH 9th Thought HAZARDOUS HUMOR (#9, 4-1) was moving extremely well in the late stages of that last one, an off-the-turf sprint, and she can run them all down in the lane today given a clean trip, as she should be aided by the extra distance, and the fact that there are at least a few confirmed speeds to her inside; lone win on the dirt came in her only other try at this distance. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

4:48 BEL 8th DREAM ON CARA (#2, 20-1) DREAM ON CARA started out on turf as a 2yo and didn't run poorly in any of those first three career starts; kept good company on dirt without breaking through, mostly in shorter races; was back to the grass last time and ran better than it looks without a great trip; steps up again while still a maiden. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

4:57 LAD 5th GREAT IN RED (#4, 6-1) is 2 for 2 on this lawn and that alone is worth a wager if near 6-1 morning line. This barn is 20% off a long layoff. Race flow is fine especially if the two speeds stay in (looking at you #3 and #9). QUINN MURPHY just likes it here. This 9YO wanted the grass in her return and that is her best surface but said race was washed off. This gal won anyway. She faced some solid fields on this sod last summer so today's open claimers are within reach. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

5:30 SA 6th MY MAN BAGS (#6, 5-2) won this Cal-bred condition in March, and also won a fast starter allowance last out. He faces state-breds again while entered for the optional $40k claim tag, and can win if he avoids a pace duel with the fast rival in the outside post. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race

5:37 CBY 8th MYLASTREDCENT (#2, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race

6:21 LAD 8th MS CARROLL COUNTY (#4, 8-1) is by a 24% debut turf sire. Her dam went 2-1-0-0 and earned $9,600 on the grass (won turf debut). This is her first grass foal. This filly has some races at Oaklawn that certainly fit here. We think she might like the sod all at a good price (8-1 morning line). -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

6:45 PLN 5th Yes, START THEM UP (#6, 9-2) has lost 11 times, but he has closed some ground in one-mile races in his last two starts and has little to beat in this $8,000 claimer for maidens. The distance of a mile and 70 yards is a tiny bit longer than his last race and may even boost his chances for a breakthrough win. He has shown a tendency to pass rivals in the stretch. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race

7:00 SA 9th Six and one-half furlongs is a long way for maiden speedster ORGANIC (#5, 4-1), who squandered the lead both recent starts on dirt. Furthermore, she has never started on turf. But the front-runner is sure to the clear the field, blinkers are off, and she just might steal this Cal-bred maiden turf sprint. If not, late-runners IDESSIA and RUFF RIDE can swoop past. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race