DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, April 18, 2024

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.

1:00 KEE 1st BRICKLAYER (#5, 8-1) debuted Dec. 21 in a race totally dominated by a fast-paced front-runner, then, with no sprint speed in his arsenal, had to cope with post 1 second time out. Both sprint races suggest he's more of a route horse, and the move from Tapeta to dirt could reveal a much more capable runner. No holes in the active work pattern and he ought to offer much more value than the favored entrants here. -Marcus Hersh | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:42 GP 2nd UNION HARMONY (#2, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Welsch). | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:50 AQU 2nd FUNNY HOW (#2, 10-1) won five in a row sprinting over this track, culminating with a win in the Broadway last February, then finished a good second when moved up to try the Grade 3 Distaff; missed time shortly after that and she appeared to be in need of some fitness when brought back at Laurel elven days ago; back quickly with much better races to get to. -Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:04 KEE 3rd UP THE CREEK (#6, 8-1) took a moderate second-start step back when switched to Turfway Tapeta, and in her third race appeared to confirm she didn't want a lot to do with the synthetic surface. In her debut, her lone dirt start, she made a nice run to take a mid-stretch lead in a race at this class level, and the horse that ran her down at 43-1 came back with a couple decent N1X allowance tries, the first in a race won by Ashland Stakes heroine Leslie's Song. -Marcus Hersh | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:36 KEE 4th KOLOMIO's (#6, 10-1) winter Fair Grounds form puts him on the fringe of contention, and he would not need much more to at least go close at a much more appealing price than the favorites here. Can't help but note the fast workouts at Churchill since he shipped north. Could get a good stalking trip behind a quick pace. -Marcus Hersh | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:46 GP 4th CHICKEN PARM (#7, 5-1) in dangerous hands lately off claim and freshened for rematch with Busy Morning. Galloped out extremely well when finished behind that rival in previous encounter, taken to turn tables at the better price today. -Mike Welsch | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:50 AQU 4th QUICK HAMMER (#7, 9-2) looked good winning his debut on this track as a 2yo then didn't return to NY for over a year; also ran well in that race while part of a four-way pace duel in a race that was won by a closer; has faced several tough fields since then; might finally be in the right spot. -Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:08 KEE 5th WAVES OF MISCHIEF (#1, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:50 AQU 6th SPEIGHTS DANCE (#4, 5-1) ran well when second-best to odds-on TAVIN in the dirt debut, then moved up in class and got wired again in her next start; liked her winning effort two back and she didn't appear to care for that wet track last time; rebound chance for an underrated barn. -Mike Beer | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:20 GP 7th LIGHTING CLOUDS (#8, 8-1) a question mark switching to turf but is a three time winner and handled synthetic well enough to suggest he will handle the grass without issue. In peak form at present time. Hung a bit late stages behind red hot, wire to wire winner Frac Dancer in the Texas Glitter. -Mike Welsch | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:26 TUP 3rd ZORINA (#6, 8-1) has figs going in the right direction and now puts four races together. What if she needed that return try going a tough 6 1/2 furlongs three back? What if she hated two turns two back? Her most recent was better, right? Obviously someone thinks a lot of this filly to try stakes foes three times in her short career. -Scott Ehlers | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:22 TUP 5th INNOCENT MAN ($7, 6-1) is the value. He ran well in both turf starts at Horseshoe Indy where the racing is improving by the minute. Their turf racing is especially strong and they got a lot of horses from Churchill when that track had problems with their turf course. Current form looks poor but some horses hate the fake dirt at Turfway. -Scott Ehlers | Bet this race with DRF Bets

8:29 LS 3rd CINCO MAJESTIC (#4, 8-1) got a nice Beyer of 58 when he broke his maiden three back and then followed up with a solid third so he is feeling good. His recent turf sprint is actually better than it looks as he was only 2 3/4 lengths back at the 1/8th pole. Right now, he is probably better on the dirt which he returns to today. This barn is a nice 19% going turf to dirt. Tactical speed helps the trip. -Scott Ehlers | Bet this race with DRF Bets

9:23 LS 5th OZZIES WINGS Y G (#3, 5-1) is feeling great. We love his recent turf start where he lost by a length at 8-1. With a 203 grass Tomlinson, this guy should hate the grass yet still ran well. Now he gets back to sprinting all for a barn that is 37% going route to sprint. We love how this barn once again finds a spot where this guy can't be claimed. -Scott Ehlers | Bet this race with DRF Bets

9:50 LS 6th SEIZE THE TREASURE (#1, 15-1) did little in his last two starts but he caught an off track in both. What if connections are using those poor efforts to drop in class and steal a purse all while avoiding a claim? This horse ran great in his only start here and got a nice 71 Beyer. This 5YO has some speed and draws the rail so a good trip is more likely than not. -Scott Ehlers | Bet this race with DRF Bets