DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, January 21, 2022

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.

12:30 GP 1st CUPID AUSTIN (#4, 20-1) puts blinkers back on, shortens back to a sprint while exiting a couple of promising a.m. trials on the Tapeta. Might wake up in this weak spot. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

12:38 LRL 2nd The best race from MUGSY MALONE (#9, 10-1) came with Lasix and he didn't race with the medication during his disappointing local debut. Solid effort two back at Delaware as he cleared to an easy lead, then faced a prolonged challenge from odds-on Courvoisier before tiring late. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:06 LRL 3rd Trainer Lacey Gaudet is 6 for the last 13 (46%, $6.49 ROI) with older (4-year-olds and up) dirt performers going first off the claim, and she did nice work with OXIDE (#5, 15-1) in 2020-2021. He's up in class after failing as the favorite in his last two for Kieron Magee, but has the back races to be competitive (went through his conditions last year). -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:12 TAM 3rd BETTING ON RED (#7, 20-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:12 TAM 5th BRAMBLE BEACH (#7, 7-2) seemed to run into a little traffic in the lane in that last one, and then he galloped out nicely past the wire in an improved effort in his second try with blinkers; expecting him to be closer to the pace today, as he has the position speed to work out a trip just off the leaders. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:30 LRL 6th Curious to see how LIKEHAIL (#11, 5-1) responds cutting back to a sprint for the first time. Tracked the pace in between rivals, advanced to battle a 30 to 1 shot (finished third) on the turn and faltered in the stretch. The two favorites ran one-two in that heat after rallying from fifth and last at the first call, respectively. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:42 TAM 6th QUEEN TIGER (#6, 8-1) ran a deceptively good race in defeat in that belated debut, middle-moving toward the lead while wide down the backstretch, following the break from post 12; she fizzled late but she stands to improve today with a better post and the benefit of experience. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:30 SA 1st BOWL OF CHERRIES (#4, 3-1) shortens to six and one-half furlongs (main turf oval) following a creditable third at one mile. Both her starts at this maiden-50 class level were decent, and though it is difficult to trust a 10-start maiden, this could be the first time in her career she starts favored. In career start No. 11, the longtime maiden is the one to beat with a pressing/stalking trip. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:44 TAM 8th BAHAMIAN BEACHBABE (#5, 20-1) is out of a winless dam, and this is her first foal to start, but this filly has shown some speed in her morning drills and she figures to be overlooked in the betting; barn got off the duck here last week with a win by Spanish Delight, also a maiden claimer ridden by Wilmer Garcia. Also using fellow firster SAVE THE FLAG (#12, 12-1). -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:11 GP 8th CAJUN COMMANDER did not have the smoothest of trips last time but finally putting two starts back to back and like the switch to Saez for the occasion. Worth a look at square price. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:24 LRL 10th Think MICE AND MEN (#3, 10-1) ran a little better than it looks when dismissed at 80 to 1 last month. Bumped leaving the gate, he tracked in between horses before pulling his way up to prompt the pace three wide in a race that went to stalkers and closers (the three pace horses at the half-mile pole finished sixth, seventh and eighth). -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:42 GP 9th PALMACH (#3, 8-1) earned high marks on graduation day making first start over the Tapeta, apparently fell behind the gate yet still allowance to start while finishing far back in Wait a While. Tossing last, repeat of effort on graduation day might be good enough here. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:14 GP 10th An honest pace scenario expected in the nightcap, going for multiple winners MISTER LEONARDO (#5, 6-1) and TIMMY M. (#6, 8-1) to lead the way across wire, both with the right running style to take advantage of anticipated race flow. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

8:20 WBS (Harness) 5th LYONS TILT HANOVER (#3, 5-2) hasn't raced this low since October 29th of last year and on that occasion, she made an early move to the front and jogged. She will be a multi-race single for me tonight. – Garnet Barnsdale | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

8:55 YR (Harness) 7th ROCKIN JUKEBOX (#6, 4-1) shipped up from Delaware to join the Pete Tritton barn and was solid in three local tries; if you're willing to toss that last effort back at Dover then this gelding looms large. – Matt Rose | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

9:00 MED (Harness) 9th SONIC FLARE (#8, 3-1) went parked every step of the mile to win last weekend and I see no reason why he won't come up big again. – Derick Giwner | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets