DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, May 8, 2022

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.

12:44 MTH 2nd ITS OVER (#3, 9-2) makes his first start off the claim by trainer Jesus Cruz, who wins at a 26% rate with new faces, and he does fit here based on his best Beyers, especially the figure he earned two back despite having to close in a race lacking speed; had some traffic trouble last time when caught behind mild splits. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:10 WO 1st SOUPER RIVER (#3, 9-2) battled three-wide for the lead on the turn and then put away the other speed before getting caught on the wire when favored in his comeback. He's moving up a notch to meet NW3 OS/$40K rivals, but might be up to the task at hand. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:13 MTH 3rd TOPS THE CHART (#7, 5-1) exits turf races but while his best career Beyers came two and three back on the green he could well be at his best on the main track, as he ran well in both maiden tries on the dirt and he had little chance to last in that stakes try in his last start of 2021; he was on the lead in all three of his races to start his career but he showed some late interest on the grass in a couple of those races and he could prove a late threat here if he can relax early and make one run. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:46 WO 4th FIRST ROUND PICK (#7, 7-2) has worked okay for successful debut trainer Minshall, who's begun the meet with a bang. Her sire is 0 for 24 with first-timers, but this half-sister to stakes-placed Aye Aye Sir could end the drought. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:47 GP 4th NIXANEFF (#2, 4-1) is just a stab based on the claim by Delgado. She has been working well since the barn change, gets in light, and will probably be the one they have to run down. She also won't mind the shorter distance while running on Tapeta for the first time. -Randy Goulding | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:09 MTH 7th MY BEAUTIFUL BELLE (#8, 5-1) hasn't been out since November but she lands in a very good spot for her return for trainer Chuck Spina, as she looms the controlling speed in the otherwise paceless sprint; stopped on a loose lead when last seen but she worked hard to get clear there, and she set a fast pace before faltering late. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:40 MTH 8th LEMON CREEK LOUIE (#4, 6-1) had a valid pace excuse two back, which was quick a good effort considering the fact that he was against he race flow, and he returned with a very impressive win at the same level last time despite a slow start; adding to the appeal is the fact that he now makes his first start for trainer Doug Nunn, who wins at a strong rate first time off the claim. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:44 BEL 6th ANGEL PALM (#4, 8-1) started out with some promise while favored in her first two starts and broke her maiden over seven furlongs early on in Ireland; went 1 for 5 as a 3yo over there, with the win coming on the all-weather when dropped out of a stakes try; stateside debut came in a very tough Keeneland allowance sprinting, where she was stalled behind horses around the turn, before just finishing evenly; bred to handle the stretch out and lands in a race without much pace. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:53 GP 6th ROAN MOUNTAIN (#1, 9-2) lost as the chalk in his last three so some caution is advised. We are willing to toss his latest, though, as he was intimidated by a horse that dropped his rider coming out of the gate. He is also probably better suited for two turns and it is easy to imagine him improving in his second start for Barboza. -Randy Goulding | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:05 LAD 1st MISS EMMA JEAN (#5, 10-1) has some speed and in a race with an average pace so that and this outside post should bring about a decent enough trip. The two times that this filly broke poorly...she ran poorly and vice versa in her other two starts. Here is where Dominguez comes in handy as he was aboard for that sharp start and win previously. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:33 LAD 2nd STAR APPEARANCE (#5, 8-1) broke his maiden on this dirt and did so going two turns all in only his second start. He caught the mud in his first race versus winners. That brings us to that nice effort three back when beating FG foes. So far...so good, right? He bounced two back and then hopped at the start in his last race (pinched back too). Connections find a logical spot and we know that this guy can win off a layoff. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:55 LS 6th WITT'S TAQUITO (#1, 10-1) is feeling great. So much so in that even a surface switch to the turf previously couldn't slow him down. We dislike this post for the distance but trainer stats say don't fret as this barn is 29% turf to dirt and 20% route to sprint. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:59 GP 8th KARLA SOFIA (#1, 8-1) might be worth a stab at what should be a decent price. She improved dramatically when she moved to dirt for her second start and she was making her first start in almost 10 months so she has a right to improve with a race behind her. -Randy Goulding | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:28 LAD 4th DONTFORGETRDREAMS (#3, 10-1) beat over half the field home in three of four career starts. Today she tries this dirt for the first time along with six furlongs. Works are fine and she gets in light. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:51 LS 8th REALLY SLOW (#5, 10-1) got a much needed confidence boost last out and we bet that carries over to today. Plus, this gelding ran well in lone local start when 2nd at almost 8-1. It is always nice to see a workout between starts. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:13 OP 10th The Trail's End closes out the meet at Oaklawn. INDIAN GULCH (#6, 12-1) was a dramatic winner over a mile and a sixteenth last out and now moves back to a marathon distance. He won over two miles in December. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets