DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, January 16, 2026

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.

Post Time: 12:30 ET
Track: Tampa Bay Downs 1st
Horse: D' TIGER LILY (#7, 6-1)
D' TIGER LILY is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 12:40 ET
Track: Aqueduct 1st
Horse: HOWLING WIND (#5, 9-2)
HOWLING WIND is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 1:20 ET
Track: Gulfstream 3rd
Horse: GET READY TO ROCK (#8, 8-1)
GET READY TO ROCK has tactical speed in a race with little to no pace. He might not garner the front end but he should be forwardly placed off soft splits. This gelding is feeling great yet is often a great price. Perhaps the jock switch to Gonzalez puts him over the top. – Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 3:08 ET
Track: Aqueduct 6th
Horse: ROSEBERNS DREAM (#7, 8-1)
ROSEBERNS DREAM is one of four back in this spot from that 12/26 race under similar conditions. She was returning from a layoff in that spot, and wound up being badly compromised by an awkward stumble at the start of that race that left her last early; thought her off-turf debut was solid, after which she got involved on a strong pace in a turf route; willing to give her one more chance at what should be a fair price. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 3:14 ET
Track: Fair Grounds 4th
Horse: KINSMAN REDEEMER (#6, 9-2)
KINSMAN REDEEMER in his last three dirt form cycles has shown an ability to pair up top efforts. A sharp winner last out in a $5K N3L claimer, he's a lightly raced 4yo who beyond even holding that form still has a chance to get at least a little better. Versatile running style and should drop back to a stalking spot behind a pace that projects as strong. For a month between late August and late September trainer J Wong was 14-19 with horses that had won their last start. That's somewhere between implausible and impossible, but, then, this barn has plenty of mind-blowing stats over the last year. – Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 3:38 ET
Track: Aqueduct 7th
Horse: MOON GATE (#5, 7-2)
MOON GATE made it 2 for 2 sprinting on dirt when posting that easy, front-running win at Saratoga in July; has been showing speed against tougher competition since the claim; getting needed class relief in this spot. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 4:15 ET
Track: Fair Grounds 6th
Horse: HARD LINE (#1, 7-2)
HARD LINE is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 4:28 ET
Track: Tampa Bay Downs 9th
Horse: SUGAR MAGNOLIA (#4, 5-2)
SUGAR MAGNOLIA was off the board in both of her two starts to date but she didn't run badly in defeat, and the resulting Beyers puts her on the short list of contenders for this finale; needs pace but she'll be tough to stave off late if she gets an honest tempo and a clean trip. – Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 4:50 ET
Track: Gulfstream 10th
Horse: CHEEKIEST (#1, 4-1)
CHEEKIEST is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 5:07 ET
Track: Santa Anita 4th
Horse: UNCLE EVCO (#6, 7-2).
This $10k claiming N2L dirt mile came up weak. It's a good spot for last-out maiden-12.5k winner UNCLE EVCO. Although it took 'EVCO 14 starts to break his maiden, perhaps the light bulb went on. These N2L claiming races are often won by last-start maiden-claiming winners; the up-front running style of 'EVCO is advantageous in a field without much speed except for the horse on the rail. – Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 7:13 ET
Track: Santa Anita 8th
Horse: PLEASE FOCUS (#5, 8-1)
Front-runner/pace-presser PLEASE FOCUS gets the call, first off the $16k claim from a runner-up finish at a mile on dirt. That race was validated when winner Resemblance returned to win again. The return to turf is fine for 'FOCUS (four turf wins); he can win this six-furlong turf sprint with a pressing trip outside the front-runner in post 2. – Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race

Looking for more action? It’s easier than ever to pick a winner with DRF Newbie. Access the most trusted information in horse racing! Start strong with DRF Newbie – horse racing, simplified. Try it free at newbie.drf.com.