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 EASIER SAID (#5, 5-1) just broke his maiden at 2-1 and he did so in only his third start. We like that connections want a flat mile right back and team Pletcher is 17% with horses that won their last start. This colt has tactical speed to help his trip and goes second time with Vasquez up. Others have better Beyers but this guy has upside for a good barn and we'll take that everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. -Scott Ehlers
2:36 KEE 4th Two recent workout videos for FREE SPIN (#2, 12-1), who's been breezing at Keeneland toward this debut for months. In the first, he was held off an inferior work mate, passing quickly as soon as the rider gave him any rein. In the second one, he was held several lengths behind a better horse in upper stretch, let loose to run down the workmate at the wire in a good-looking drill. -Marcus Hersh
2:48 AQU 4th TETSU (#4, 3-1) scored for twice this price with an 86 Beyer when re-claimed by Dutrow last April, then was immediately sidelined for ten months; has been waiver-protected in two tougher spots since retuning, and ran fine when along for second over a speed-favoring track in that first start back; back quickly dropping out of a tougher spot. -Mike Beer
3:19 AQU 5th SPUN AND WON (#5, 3-1) was never in a position to be effective over a track that was kind to speed when returned from a layoff in January; has improved in two starts since, including that determined win for $50k last month; spotted to win right back. -Mike Beer
3:29 GP 6th ADMIRAL NELSON (#10, 5-1) should be fully acclimated to here by now as he puts three races together. He tried a turf route in his most recent and did get some play when sent off at almost 3-1. Perhaps that pace took its toll. Class drop and surface switch help shake things up all for a very good barn. -Scott Ehlers
4:12 KEE 7th We've lost track of the number of older horses trainer M Maker has claimed out of the middle-distance turf ranks and turned into stakes horses in turf marathons. Here's the latest: MUTAAWID (#2, 8-1). Won the N1X very nicely two back when stretched to 11 furlongs, that despite a bad outside draw, and he had another poor draw, then a wide trip, when finishing with interest for a close fourth going 12f at this level last out. Better trip from better post at a fair price. -Marcus Hersh
4:44 KEE 8th First, a reminder that with trainer G Foley, you don't let a scattershot work pattern put you off - that's just how this operation functions, and it's working. With that in mind, no workout video for CARLISLE BAY (#7, 8-1), but the pattern holds appeal, and since this is her dirt debut, she might have upside. Wouldn't take much of that in a short, soft-seeming bunch. -Marcus Hersh
4:52 TUP 3rd GONNA GETCHA GOOD (#8, 8-1) exits a super key race where all four runners returned to either win or place. The win figs are 69 and 60 while the place figs are 64 and 62. This gelding cuts back to five furlongs and that might bode well if distance Tomlinson of 406 is any indication. Valenzuela gets a leg up and is 29% for this barn (flat bet profit). -Scott Ehlers
5:16 KEE 9th GUM (#7, 6-1) nearly 11-1 in career debut and lone start might make one guess she was not especially well intended first time out. Almost won nonetheless. Wide draw, got inside, wound up on rail down backstretch, cruised closer to leader going to 5f marker, blocked by rivals and shuffled back, had to wait for room to move up, got to the outside for homestretch and really quickened after straightening out, but then got a bit green when charging hard at leaders, which might've been the difference between winning and losing. Ready now at a fair price. -Marcus Hersh
5:24 TUP 4th SAND PAYNTER (#3, 8-1) gets a big jockey switch to Rodriguez. This colt draws fine and has grass experience. That was a tough post last out. This might be a good spot to try the front end. -Scott Ehlers
5:54 TUP 5th GUN POWDER (#2, 12-1) goes third off the layoff and gets back a dirt sprint. This gelding has run well in both dirt starts and isn't bred to like the turf anyway. He gets some pace to chase and the price figures square. -Scott Ehlers
7:18 TUP 8th HITTIN MY STRIDE (#7, 6-1) has the best Beyers and it isn't even very close. The huge class drop is impossible to miss. There is a gap in works from Feb 23rd to March 17th. Her last race came back key when 2 of 5 returned to win with figs of 83 and 67. We have seen this barn drop horses like this before and believe it or not then don't always get claimed. Let the guessing game begin. -Scott Ehlers