Fri, 05/30/2025 - 10:45

DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, May 30, 2025

Barbara D. Livingston
First post for Santa Anita racing is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET on Friday.

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.

1:54 GP 3rd DREAM DANCER (#5, 6-1) is by a 13% debut sire. His dam went 22-4-1-4 and earned 200K (won 2YO debut). This is her first foal. Works were plentiful before the gap in said works from April 4th to May 9th. We think his most recent drill which was 4th best of 59 signals the all clear. – Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

2:27 GP 4th MOTOWN MIKA (#4, 8-1) gets in super light with the apprentice up and has a legit shot to clear off. New barn is 18% off the claim. Breaking 7th of 8 from the rail in her most recent is a legit excuse but even more so for a speed horse. Others have better Beyers but that just helps the price that much more. Wire please. – Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race

2:36 WO 4th PET SOUNDS (#7, 4-1) was protected by waiver when mounting a wide rally from far back for third over a rail-favoring track in a similar spot in his May 11 comeback. Note that he found the mark second-time out last year in a longer sprint vs. $25K maidens. – Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

3:39 WO 6th THE NEW MAYBE (#10, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Get PPs for this race

4:43 WO 8th CASTLE HARBOUR (#1, 15-1) ran against the grain of a bias which aided inside and speed runners when fourth while dropping to this level in his seasonal bow. He drew the rail in this huge field and could prevail at a square price if the inside is the place to be, like it's been a lot during the early portion of the meet. – Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

5:09 GP 9th MOONSCAPE (#7, 15-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get PPs for this race

5:29 SA 4th California-bred maiden fillies and mares run for a $12.5k claim tag; second-time starter JAZZ SPOT (#4, 5-1) is as good as any. She split the field in her maiden-20 debut in December, and now shows up at the bottom vs. state-breds. She has enough speed to be forwardly placed. – Brad Free | Get PPs for this race

7:00 SA 7th If his sixth-place finish last out is disregarded, MAGIC ACCOUNT (#4, 8-1) is simply the fastest sprinter in this N3L $20k claiming race. He won a fast N2L here in autumn, and finished second in a fast N3L in January. Off three months, working regularly this month, he has speed for early position and should fire first start back. – Brad Free | Get PPs for this race

7:30 SA 8th SUGAR HI (#7, 8-1) makes her California debut for trainer Phil D'Amato with a series of impressive team works that have her ready to fire first start back. She is fast enough to win this N1X sprint based on her highly rated debut at Saratoga in July 2023. Four subsequent starts on the East Coast were subpar, but her California drills are outstanding. She has worked behind horses, and run past (viewed online). D'Amato's last seven comeback dirt sprinters making their first start for the stable produced four wins. If SUGAR HI runs like she trains, she can win first start back. Unfortunately, her 8-1 program price is a mistake. She figures as one of the favorites. – Brad Free | Get PPs for this race