DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, May 4, 2023

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.

12:54 LRL 2nd MISS YOU AJAX (#5, 6-1) faced three next-out winners last month at Parx (gate-to-wire winner Big Brown Shoes returned to take a $25,000 starter allowance there with a 77 Beyer). Prompted a moderate pace while three wide and in between, was outpaced a bit entering the turn, altered course to the rail in midstretch, then got up for third behind the two chalks. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

1:23 LRL 3rd There isn't a ton of turf in CHEZ SOLEIL's (#10, 8-1) pedigree, but her dam was a multiple stakes-placed dirt performer that won her first grass appearance (67 turf Beyer), and her sire connects with 14% of turf routers (compared to 11% industry standard). Sprinted on dirt once last year, and was in against Fishers (returned to run second in a $27,000 maiden optional at Delaware with a 60 Beyer; has since won over this circuit). -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

1:25 OP 1st HOPING FOR A RING (#7, 5-1) is appealing as a runner who was third at this level last time out and who is a five-time winner facing some less-experienced rivals. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

2:21 LRL 5th ADMIT NOTHING (#11, 15-1) received an education in his debut. Acted up in the preliminaries, then broke two lengths slow. Saved ground at the back, then finished willingly on his own while in behind horses. Mancilla went 4 for the last 9 (44%, $3.98 ROI) adding Lasix, and the speed-bred colt might show more early interest. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

2:38 BEL 4th LADY JASMINE (#8, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race

3:10 BEL 5th AFJAN (#1, 20-1) is a bit of a reach here returning to turf, though this does not appear to be a race in which to take a short price and he might deserve another chance or two on this surface. His dirt form has been solid recently, including a win with a new top figure while winning off the claim two back; first two turf starts came going long, and he did not get a great ride the last time he was on this surface while losing position early and then being rated behind a slow pace; will be a price and can fall into a trip from the rail. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

3:20 LRL 7th Looking for a price with WHISKEY AND YOU (#6, 12-1) who showed late interest against similar last month. Raced off the rail at the back over a speed-friendly track, but did receive quick fractions to attack. Split horses turning for home, and finished with some verve in between with a solid gallop-out. He hasn't won in a long time, and will need pace help up front. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

3:34 OP 5th EARLY DISMISSAL (#12, 6-1) is proven at two turns and is one who has seen steeper. RIVERCREST GIRL exits a race that has produced starters for the Natural State later on the card at Oaklawn. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

4:57 BEL 8th TURN OF EVENTS (#5, 5-1) might prefer a bit more ground than this and there is always the chance that he is using this first start back to get ready for a middle-distance race, but he didn't run poorly over this shorter trip two back; fits well here and might be a fair price in this race, where several different horses have a chance. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

7:24 GG 7th THE RIVER MANGITA (#5, 8-1) was seventh of eight in her turf debut in a maiden race at a mile on April 22 and makes a quick turnaround for this $12,500 claimer for maidens, a class level the filly knows well. She started in maiden claimers in her first four starts, finishing third twice. Mix a turf race with a maiden claimer in this race and The River Mangita has a better chance for a breakthrough win than she did in her last start. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race