DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, January 29, 2021

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.

12:25 LRL 1st ICE RAIN (#3, 4-1) is expected to improve in second start following 517-day layoff. Returning at seven furlongs, he stalked the quick pace while three wide and in between rivals, and finished with mild interest outside. The winner of that race returned to finish second in a starter-optional with a 79 Beyer. Good-sized gelding should appreciate the added distance. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

2:44 TAM 5th ESTILO PELIGROSO (#7, 7-2) has had his chances, making his 15th start in search of the diploma, but he caught the eye in both of his last two starts, rallying strongly despite finishing off the board two back and also closing with interest last time; at the mercy of the pace, as always due to his lack of speed, but given some pace help and a clean trip he figures to be tough late. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

3:09 GP 6th CLASSY BEAST (#5, 9-2) goes from one D’Angelo to another for 2021 bow, worked sharp half for this on dirt. Did not have best of trips when failing as even money favorite with this kind at GPW. One last chance. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

3:23 LRL 7th DANCE AND DANCE (#5, 4-1) steps up in sharp form after a good-looking victory on New Year’s Eve. She pushed the pace three wide, made the front on the turn and strode off with confidence in the lane. Similar situation as Solea in today’s sixth race as she cuts back in distance and might have to come from farther off the pace this time around. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

3:40 GP 7th CENTSATIONAL (#1, 6-1) off the long layoff but ran well off the bench in career bow and well spotted for this tag. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

3:52 TAM 7th JEHA (#3, 3-1) came up short as the favorite in his first start against winners but he certainly ran well in defeat, rallying nicely to finish just a half-length behind the winner despite having to rally into a controlled pace; can get his revenge on OSPREY this time given a quicker early pace up front. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

3:55 LRL 8th MALIBU BEAUTY (#6, 10-1) gave a good try in first start against winners. She made the front going two turns in the Anne Arundel County Stakes and tried hard despite tiring for fourth. That race has come back strong as the winner returned to finish second in the Xtra Heat Stakes with a 71 Beyer while the third-finisher came back to grab Aqueduct’s Busanda Stakes with a 72. Has the tactical speed to sit off the expected solid pace with Lasix on for the first time. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

4:06 OP 5th MAJOR KONG (#3, 5-1) ran a big race at a one-turn mile configuration last out and now returns to the two-turn configuration of his maiden score. The race last time was his first on dirt. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

4:22 TAM 8th CATTALEYA RONITH (#2, 5-1) is out of a dam who won her own debut and was a graded stakes-winning sprinter, earning over $288K for her career, and her first three starters to race are all winners; this filly debuts for Tim Hamm, who wins at a solid clip with firsters and who does especially well with maiden claimers. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

4:38 OP 6th SERBIAN SAILOR (#11, 15-1) moves into the maiden claiming ranks for the first time on form and also makes his first start against fellow Arkansas-breds with the meet now on at Oaklawn. He has recency on a number of these and an age edge on probable favorite IMA BLING CAT. -Mary Rampellin | Get PPs for this race

4:42 GP 9th DANESSA BABY (#1, 5-1) looks like speed of speed if away running from inside. May not look back if able to shake loose from FOUZIA (#6, 4-1) who may well stick a lot closer to preferred one than in their previous meeting on New Year’s Day. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

5:13 GP 10th Lailoni a huge question mark in finale at what figures to be somewhere in vicinity of 3-5 favorite. Will take a shot against the long idled drop down with a couple of potential closers, MY LITTLE ROSE (#6, 10-1) and ABARRIO FOREVER (#2, 6-1) both of whom could take advantage of what may be a hotly contest pace. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race