DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, January 7, 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.

12:30 GP 1st CHARLEMAGNERETURNS (#9, 12-1) gets one more chance dropping to this level while getting Lasix for first time and reportedly a new gelding since last. Expect much improvement making third start of form cycle. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

12:55 LRL 2nd Trainer Richard Sillaman is 3 for the last 7 (43%, $3.31 ROI) with older (4-year-olds and upward) low-level claimers in Laurel Park dirt routes, and MY SACRED PLACE (#5, 4-1) drops a notch with the speed to get close to the pace. Hung out wide going into the first turn last time out, he pushed a solid pace in between rivals before tiring in the stretch. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

1:09 TAM 2nd CLOUD PLAY (#6, 8-1) goes long for the first time but the dam scored routing and her other two siblings to race won going two turns; he has a decent late kick and figures to be well set up, with a couple of confirmed speeds to his inside. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

1:20 AQU 2nd MATOULA (#1, 9-2) used her speed to go back-to-back when returned from the layoff last October at Belmont, earning much-improved figures in those victories; drops back down for top connections after getting in too tough off the claim last time. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

1:48 AQU 3rd KOOSMAN (#4, 15-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race

1:54 LRL 4th NOTION INTERRUPTUS (#7, 10-1) broke slow in final start of 2021, tracked the pace in between horses, waited in behind on the turn, then got a nice split turning into the lane. She finished with mild interest behind the two favorites and wheels back on short notice (her lone win came off a nine-day break last summer). -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

2:07 TAM 4th MISTA DONZELLA (#4, 8-1) could only manage the show in his first start over this strip but he ran well in defeat, closing some ground late in a race that set up well for the speeds; may be able to make the last run given an honest pace up front. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

2:18 AQU 4th P J ADVANTAGE (#7, 8-1) has landed in some pretty tough spots since returning from an extended layoff back in July, including a couple of stakes tries where he could not race with Lasix; has plenty of back class to go with a field like this one as he finally takes the drop and his tactical speed plays in this field. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

3:21 OP 5th SHACKS WAY (#6, 4-1) set a strong pace on a laboring kind of track last out, when third against steeper. The start was his first following a layoff and he has every reason to move forward in his second race back. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

3:37 GP 7th FILLMORE EAST (#7, 6-1) ran on willingly after being bottled up in traffic during early stages in first try on the Tapeta and should catch legit pace to run at if able to secure cleaner sailing this time around. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

3:51 OP 6th CURBS AND CONES (#7, 5-1) shortens up a tad in distance and the last time she raced at this six furlong trip she was a romping winner. For this out, February foal will be first Lasix. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

3:56 LRL 8th PETTIGO GIRL (#5, 9-2), purchased for $43,000 at public auction last month, breezed five-eighths in 59 and change here 10 days ago and brings a two-race win streak to the circuit. Stalked outside at Parx last time out, made a three-wide bid entering the second turn, then brushed by the pacesetter to win by open lengths. The runner-up returned to win a $16,000 starter at Parx with a 78 Beyer. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race

4:11 GP 8th FAMILY TIME (#7, 10-1) turns back to a one turn mile off solid effort at 10 furlongs in Ky finale. Good fit here at her best. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race

4:20 AQU 8th ROCK LOBSTER (#7, 10-1) a firster by Paynter and a half to Twelve Volt Man, a debut winner who is currently 4 for 6 on dirt in his career; appears to be training right along for Rudy, who is more than capable with a first time starter. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

4:22 TAM 8th NO EASY ROAD (#4, 8-1) was against the race flow in both of his two starts to date, prompting the pace in a race which set up well for the closers when last seen and off the pace in his bow, a race that was devoid of speed; cuts back to a very short sprint but he should have enough speed to stay close from the start. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

4:52 TAM 9th T. WALTZ (#5, 6-1) makes her first start since April and moves to a barn which does well with new faces, as well as with turf sprinters in general; has good speed and fits well based on those last couple of figures. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

5:13 OP 9th The consistent PRIORITIZATION (#3, 5-1) met winners for the first time last out and ran a strong second and the bit of added real estate he picks up in this spot figures to serve his cause. This one is from a stakes-placed mare and he owns the field's best last-race Beyer Speed Figure. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

5:35 SA 5th MCWHERTER (#7, 5-2) won a pair of six-furlong main-oval turf sprints here last spring; he returns to the layout first off the claim. The gelding's figures last year on turf are high enough for this level; he might be the speed of the field. Top choice with a front-running/pace-pressing trip. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race

6:35 SA 7th The N1X turf sprint win by SHE'S SO NICE (#7, 4-1) during the autumn meet might be enough for her to win this N2X downhill turf sprint. She rallied from behind to win that race going away, and now gets an additional half-furlong to flatter her closing kick. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race