DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, May 18, 2023
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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.
12:50 GP 1st TOVIA (#7, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Welsch). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:20 GP 2nd AVELLINO (#7, 5-1) chased ultimate winner before fading late at first asking but should benefit from the experience and trip out nicely from extreme outside post. Could prove hard to catch. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:31 PIM 3rd Blinkers might be just the thigk for BAND CAMP (#7, 9-2) as Angel Cruz had a tough time getting this colt to swap to his right lead on the backstretch in recent seven-eighths sprint. Broke okay, stalked three wide, then was in just a bit tight while three wide and in between with three-eighths remaining. Came with a four-wide bid, then could only muster a one-paced finish. Half-brother to two route winners could use pace and race luck from the far outside. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:04 PIM 4th HE'S ON FIRE (#3, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Dan Illman). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:11 PIM 6th STRONG HEADED (#7, 9-2) ran well following 351-day layoff to kick off his 2022 campaign so not that concerned about the 214-day break leading to this. He ran pretty well in his final start last year as he was bumped at the break, then wound up tracking four wide after a half-mile. Dropped in to save a bit more ground entering the second turn, he split horses with a three-wide bid, then grinded on for a minor award. This is a good distance for a gelding that should be running in the stretch. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:13 PIM 8th If RUSHIN TOTHECIRCLE (#1, 12-1) can still run, he can be very competitive with this group, but that's a big "if" as he hasn't started in a whopping 1,586 days, and returns for new connections after a presumed private purchase. Last seen on dirt in 2018 at Churchill Downs, he tracked in between, made a three-wide bid into contention, then flattened out (runner-up returned to run third in an off-turf, first-level allowance there with a 79 Beyer, and has since won with an 88). -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
5:13 BEL 5th SOLIB (#7, 8-1) has serious questions surrounding her current form after ending her 2022 campaign with a failed experiment over hurdles and then a non-effort just five days later at a big price; was competitive with solid competition prior to that and makes her return in a protected spot while making her first start for Maker; has speed and can be tough here with her good race. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
7:15 BEL 9th MIZZ ME (#11, 8-1) is by a sire who tends to get route runners (Flintshire just 5% with first-time starters, and 4 for 77 with turf sprinters) but otherwise has things going for her as she makes her debut. Dam was a five-time winner on the grass and her first two foals both ran well early on - won her second career start sprinting on the grass at Belmont; Mizteronic debuted over six furlongs here last April and got very unlucky to just miss after blowing the start. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets