DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, April 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.

1:00 GP 1st KEEP MARCHING (#8, 15-1) offered up for value in this full field of bottom level maiden claimers. Made premature middle move switching back to dirt last time following a couple of eventful trips on grass in his previous two outings. Best just might be good enough to spring the upset with smoother sailing. -Mike Welsch

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2:00 GP 3rd FARM STRONG (#1, 6-1) Found his best stride late in his turf debut to finish third of 12. The drop from maiden-claiming $25,000 to $16,000 could be all the help he needs to get over the hump in this mile race. Hopefully, the pace will be somewhat realistic. – Jim Dunleavy

2:00 GP 3rd HELL BENT (#10, 6-1) strictly a pace and price play. Looks loose as easy as can be on the front end while getting plenty of class relief today. Might not look back if able to clear off as expected. -Mike Welsch

2:35 OP 2nd WASABI MOVE (#7, 4-1) moves back to the claiming ranks after a trio of starts against allowance foes. He also draws what would seem to be an improved post over his last start, when the closer broke from the rail in a sprint that drew 12. –Mary Rampellini

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3:35 OP 4th RIKER (#9, 9-2) was fourth last out in a key race, with the winner coming back in his next start to account for a $16K claimer at OP with a Beyer of 81 and the runner-up, a $10K claimer at OP, with a Beyer of 81. -Mary Rampellini

4:05 GP 7th FLASH PASS (#1, 9-2) did all the heavy lifting contesting pace, hung around through late stretch before finally succumbing to Dominate Themoment in pretty promising two turn debut. Might avenge that setback if stepping forward off the effort. -Mike Welsch

4:06 OP 5th KINETIC SWAGGER (#12, 5-1) showed excellent speed on the cutback from a mile and a sixteenth to this six furlong distance last out, missing by a neck after dueling through quick fractions. He’s further appealing for the age edge he has on some of his chief rivals as he is 4. –Mary Rampellini

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4:36 OP 6th DAVIDIC LINE (#1, 8-1) exits a deep race, with the winner set to run back Saturday in the $200,000 Oaklawn Stakes. This one was making his first start on a wet track, and to date has done his best work over fast strips. –Mary Rampellini

4:36 GP 8th VOLUBILE (#5, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Welsch).

5:06 OP 7th QUIET DAWN (#4, 6-1) has been cycling upward and after 10 starts she looks to be sitting on a maiden win. Trainer Chris Hartman has put a steady series of works into the 3-year-old and has her realistically spotted in this $20,000 claimer. – Jim Dunleavy

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5:06 OP 7th C'EST MARDI (#1, 6-1) exits a key race against steeper and the start was her first since September. She would seem to have reason to move forward in her second race back. The daughter of Tiznow also might make good use of the added ground she picks up on the move from a mile to a mile and a sixteenth. -Mary Rampellini

5:07 GP 9th BLEWITT (#7, 20-1) has worked much better than he's run at the meet, but the talented son of Uncle Mo is eligible to wake up while stretching out from eight to nine furlongs in his third start off the bench. --Ron Gierkink

5:38 OP 8th TUGGLE (#1, 4-1) won the battle but lost the war when returning from a near five-month layoff in February. He put his two pace rivals away, opened a clear lead in upper stretch, but succumbed to 20-1 Lykan by a head. He has been given ample time to recover, worked three times, and should be set for a top effort. – Jim Dunleavy

5:38 GP 10th NO MORE STORIES (#6, 15-1) exits a race she may have needed last month and note the strong turf drill with blinkers added on 3/22. Expecting major improvement with the equipment change and that last one under her belt. -Mike Welsch

6:09 OP 9th GURL YOU FINE (#5, 9-2) makes the meaningful move to the maiden claiming ranks for the first time on form. –Mary Rampellini