DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, May 16, 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.

12:56 PIM 2nd JESTER'S SONG (#5, 8-1) took advantage of a hot pace and a patient ride to kick them down at Laurel last month. Settled at the back along the inside, made an outside bid on the turn under patient handling, altered course sharply back to the rail at the three-sixteenths, then rallied nicely for the score. He steps up in class here, but can kick on again in the stretch. -Dan Illman

1:39 GP 2nd The usual suspects assemble in second half of early double with CHAPALU (#1, 10-1) returning to category for first time since rallying to clear cut win over the surface on Dec. 30. Surely can repeat that result with a clean run. -Mike Welsch

2:35 BAQ 4th MON PETIT CHOU (#6, 15-1) hasn't won a race since going back-to-back in a couple of allowance races back in 2021 shortly after returning from a long layoff, though she spent much of that time facing tougher horses; was first back from another long layoff last time when chasing to no avail, though she did stay on gamely in the stretch; back quickly off the claim with plenty of races to get to that would make her comeptitive in here. -Mike Beer

3:27 PIM 7th Both of GOLDEN HEART's (#4, 5-1) wins came going sprint to route, and she repeats the pattern in second start following 189-day layoff. Likely gained a good amount of fitness last time tracking the pace from in between horses before tiring in a quick heat won by the odds-on pacesetter. Expect good speed this afternoon for barn that went 12 for the last 44 (27%, $3.18 ROI) going second after layoffs of six months or greater. -Dan Illman

4:11 BAQ 7th FROM HELLO (#5, 6-1) had to settle for second despite running very well in each of her first two turf starts off the claim, then had excuses in her next two starts with trip trouble; might be a fair price in her first start back from the layoff despite competitive form. -Mike Beer

4:18 GP 7th DEFENDED (#7, 12-1) needs to move forward from Beyer standpoint to compete with logical ones in here but has the right rider and potential pace scenario to spring the upset in wire to wire fashion if away clean to out-foot Tator Made to the top. -Mike Welsch

4:43 BAQ 8th DRAMATIC EFFECT (#1, 10-1) endured a troubled trip two back in the slop, then tried stretching out to a mile last time and wound up getting shuffled back and catching traffic in an effort that might be better than it looks; needs his best but will be a price cutting back. -Mike Beer