DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, May 13, 2021

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.

12:40 PIM 1st Not too concerned about XMASINTHECITY’s (#4, 10-1) recent dirt form as he was in against tougher allowance foes in both starts off the claim. He’s run some competitive figures on turf over this circuit in the past and was likely overmatched at Gulfstream in his most recent run over the grass (the third-finisher from that race has come back to compile a 6-1-4-1 record at Gulfstream with Beyers ranging from 63 to 81). Lowprofile barn has sent out some live runners at the meet. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:20 GP 2nd LAUREL CANYON (#4, 7-2) has been forwardly prepared for her bow with five works of a half-mile on resume’ including pair from gate at PM. Easily the most expense member of this lineup at the sales. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:46 PIM 3rd RIP IT (#10, 12-1) makes first start on the turf since last summer at Saratoga and he didn’t have an easy trip against a strong field. Never obtained cover while three wide, then pulled himself up into contention on the second turn before flattening out late. The winner of that race returned to finish second in the Grade 2 Pilgrim Stakes at Belmont with a 76 Beyer. Privately-purchased afterward, he adds Lasix, returns to his preferred surface and has plenty of pedigree as the dam was a multiple Grade/Group 2 winner on turf. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:52 PIM 5th PAT’S FACTOR (#8, 15-1) has some pedigree for this surface switch as he’s a half-brother to four-time grass winner Dance Queen by a solid turf stallion. He appeared to be travelling nicely on the second turn of recent bottom maiden claimer on dirt when the rider’s inside rein broke apart and the gelding bolted to the outside rail. April 27 work matches up with barn’s 3-year-old Mikey’s Jewel, a filly that finished fifth in a grassy $12,500 “two-life” with a 49 Beyer. Perhaps they worked in company. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:54 GP 5th VOW ME NOW (#1, 7-2) ran huge off the bench, could not repeat effort after sluggish start next time. Back on the rail, one to beat if able to replicate 3/20 try. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:05 BEL 1st SCOTTY (#5, 6-1) caught a sloppy track for double this price first time with other winners and failed to fire while trailing that field throughout; two prior dirt starts over fast tracks resulted in consecutive Beyer tops and he put in a good finish to get clear of maidens two back. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:54 GP 7th MY SARASOTA STAR (#4, 9-2) dueled winner, succumbed late stages of most recent try but might just prove quickest of the quick if away running while re-uniting with Edgard here. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:58 PIM 7th OFFICER COUNTRY (#8, 6-1) might have aimed too high in first start out of the maiden ranks last fall at Laurel. Bumped a bit at the start, he tracked the pace outside before packing it in on the second turn. The fourth-place finisher from that race returned to be beaten a nose for $10,000 at Gulfstream West with a 77 Beyer before scoring for $16,000 at Gulfstream with a 74. Ran 11 times last year without a break and believe the recent freshening did him some good. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:24 GP 8th TONY’S ROSE (#5, 4-1) and Sweetly Maid a pair of uncoupled mates who figure to catch a very honest pace scenario. Like the fact T R shortens to five furlongs after showing speed vs. better around two turns. Might wear them all done with clean sailing in tricky finale. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:13 BEL 5th T LOVES A FIGHT (#2, 6-1) was never going to win that Haynesfield going longer than he prefers two back, and he broke through the gate pre-race vs. a much tougher group past time; drops in a race with plenty of speed for him to attack as he looks for his first wins since October of 2019 (though he has run well enough to defeat a field like this one several times in the interim). -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:43 BEL 6th PLAYTHATFUNNYMUSIC (#2, 10-1) not exactly giving off positive vibes right now after missing another 99 days following his first start back from a longer layoff in February, but he didn’t run as poorly as it looks in that spot while chasing wide as the 1:5 winner rode a gold rail; was protected in that spot and has plenty of back races to make him tough as he cuts in half. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:35 LS 1st VALENTINE STREET (#5, 5-1) has five wins going this far and should appreciate the cutback in distance after holding the lead at the eighth pole in the $100K Richard King in his latest. He could also be sitting on a peak performance in the third start of his current form cycle. -Randy Goulding | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

8:03 LS 2nd CONTINUUM (#8, 5-1) came up empty after being up close to an honest pace in his first start this year and should move forward with a race behind him. He was claimed by Lucarelli who is having a strong meet and the past five years has a 25% strike rate first off the claim. -Randy Goulding | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

10:51 LS 8th RADIANT KITTEN (#1, 6-1) was the runner-up all three times he went this distance on grass and is coming off three solid races on dirt. He also makes his first start for Gustafason who the past five years is a solid 19% first off the claim. Kitten should also get a cozy trip from her inside post with the hot jock riding. -Randy Goulding | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets