DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, May 12, 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.
2:23 PIM 4th EMPHASIZE (#8, 6-1) seems well-entered returning to the circuit from Tampa Bay. Although never a threat in most recent turf outing, he still finished ahead of two next-out winners when chasing Harrow (returned to finish first, placed third in a $25,000 starter with a 79 Beyer). -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:47 GP 4th LA RUSIA (#4, 9-2) did not have any noticeable excuses when she did not fire as the chalk running on turf in her latest but go back to her romp in her previous race on Tapeta going this distance and she looks like the one to beat. -Randy Goulding | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:21 WO 5th DREAMINOFPASSION (#3, 7-2) raced wide over an inside-favoring track in her April 23 fade job for $25K. She's plunging to the lower NW2 ranks in this $7.5K tilt and should be in the hunt if able to duplicate her fine 2yo form. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:00 PIM 7th I'M BLUSHING (#2, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Dan Illman). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:09 BEL 3rd MANOLITO (#2, 4-1) has spent a lot of time racing against better horses since breaking his maiden in the summer of 2020, and he has been competitive at times in those tougher fields; was last seen at this level in September, where he finished gamely after a good trip to finish a close third with a new top figure; Klesaris 3 for his last 7 returning from 180+ day layoffs in dirt sprints on this circuit (43%, $8.85 ROI). -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:24 WO 7th PALIO SIENA (#5, 6-1) raced wide throughout over an inside-biased track in her dull second race off the shelf April 23. There's not much to hang your hat on in this weak NW2 event, and the daughter of Violence might parlay her perceived fitness edge into a maiden victory. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:40 BEL 4th MRS BELL (#1, 6-1) dueled with odds-on favorite Draw Off and got the better of that battle, before getting run down late in her debut for this tag; went to Finger Lakes last month and chased a front-running winner over a wet track to no avail after breaking a bit slowly from the gate; drops back down. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:55 WO 8th LOADED QUESTION (#2, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink) | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:43 BEL 6th WABAUNSEE (#7, 8-1) made her career on turf two weeks ago, where she lacked speed from the start and never factored; she has two full-sisters who are both multiple winners on the main track and Englehart has had some success making this move in the past - maiden, second career start, turf-to-dirt: 12 starts, 3 wins and 3 seconds, $2.54 ROI. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:15 BEL 9th ROYAL DANCER (#4, 10-1) started out sprinting at Aqueduct, where she saved ground and raced on gamely for third behind a dominant, front-running winner; half to Grade 2-placed turf router Top of Mind stretches right out. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:35 LS 1st GRANDIOSE SUMMER (#8, 20-1) ran evenly in her debut while beating only one home but earning that race experience is what really matters. All five sibs won with four having beat winners. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
8:59 LS 4th WESTFEST (#7, 6-1) figures as good a trip as anyone. Current form is fine and you get Asmussen in your corner at what might be a decent price. We like this outside post going this distance and notice that this gelding has won an elongated sprint before. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
9:55 LS 6th XYLOPHONE (#3, 12-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
10:51 LS 8th KEEP THE BLING (#3, 12-1) is versatile, goes third off the layoff, has done all of her winning on the grass, and is working locally. All for team Diodoro. Let's move on then. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:35 YR (Harness) 3rd LUCKY ARTIST A (#1, 9-1) landed the pole here after two straight post eight starts. She was able to grab a couple of checks in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, so I think this spot should be good for her with the inside draw. – Greg Reinhart | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
9:45 WBS (Harness) 9th I have no doubt that PRIVATE SCOTT (#5, 9-2) wins last week's race if he wasn't on dead cover that cost him ground loss and delayed his late move. In this smaller field he should be able to make his own luck. He will be a single for me. – Garnet Barnsdale | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets