DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, May 31, 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 Looking for STORM THE BRIDGE (#7, 5-1) to redeem in the 12:45 ET opener as a beaten even-money favorite when switching over to the grass for Crichton; speed needing to be doled out carefully by Juarez. -Marty McGee
2:10 LRL 4th COMMISSIONER BIGGS (#1, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Dan Illman).
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2:40 LRL 5th BLACK STETSON (#9, 7-2) made the lead at Penn National, but stayed three paths off the rail on the backstretch and eventually was confronted from both sides on the turn. He battled very gamely along the inside in late stretch to just miss to Ogeechee, a runner that came back to win with a 67 Beyer. Should be forwardly-placed once again just off of Bucked Tooth and figures prominently when the real racing begins. Trainer McMahon is 3 for 11 (27%, $5.14 ROI) over the past five years with older dirt performers returning from a 61 to 120 day layoff in first start following the claim. -Dan Illman
4:10 LRL 8th LADY GEORGE (#10, 6-1) seemed to be travelling sweetly behind the slow early pace in the Wide Country, but couldn’t sprint home with those stakes-caliber fillies (the runner-up returned to win the Beyond the Wire by seven lengths with a 77 Beyer). Her prior two races were both good although it must be noted that both came on wet tracks. Think she’ll be okay on faster going, however, and there should be some speed for her to chase in this spot while racing in the clear. -Dan Illman
4:21 GP 8th The oft-claimed BELLE TAPISSERIE (#6, 5-1) surely has a physical issue or two that keeps him from racing more often, but when he does, he often shows his stuff; looking for him to trip out beautifully from his open-air outside box when sharp and eager from Joey O’s patient handling. -Marty McGee
4:40 LRL 9th TOY (#4, 8-1) dominated a weaker maiden field at odds-on last time out and it’s possible that the son of Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship winner Plum is finally reaching his full potential. Boasts two bullet workouts leading into this and perhaps that’s an indicator that he will be a bit closer to the pace. -Dan Illman
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4:52 GP 9th CONGRATS THAT (#9, 3-1) fought back along the rail to win this same kind of turf sprint 4 Sundays ago, validating his 2-back effort at 22-1, and now he again gets the outer box, from where he’ll load-and-go in taking another fight right to them; make him the day’s best. -Marty McGee
5:06 SA 4th This N3L claiming turf sprint offers a chance at a price; SEVEN SCENTS (#1, 6-1) might slip through the cracks. His comeback at Los Alamitos was promising. Making his first start since being gelded, he was blocked full of run through the turn, had to wait until the short stretch before getting outside, and finished willingly to miss by less than a length. The field was modest, but SEVEN SCENTS has run well against good company on the major circuit, including a respectable fifth in a Santa Anita N2X turf sprint in December. -Brad Free
7:14 SA 8th SUGARY (#7, 5-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Brad Free).