DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, January 8, 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.

12:50 AQU 1st BLACK LIMO (#2, 6-1) had trouble in his career debut sprinting on the grass and didn’t run as poorly as it may appear in a race he might have needed anyway, and he faced a very strong field of maidens when stretched out last time; ships in on the drop as an intriguing new face to this group. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:35 GP 3rd OBLIO’S WISH (#3, 6-1) encountered some kind of trouble, couldn’t quite tell just what, when taken up suddenly while challenging for command when back to this level last time then being virtually eased the rest of the way. Back with same kind for high percentage barn, inclined to give another chance at a square price. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:23 LRL 5th Some interesting first-time starters in what looks like a “spread” race to kick off the Late Pick 5. FRANCIS X. (#4, 12-1) is a full brother to juvenile stakes-winning dirt sprinter Jonesin for Jerry by a very precocious sire (Great Notion wins 18% with debut runners). The dam is a half-sister to stakes-winning dirt router Classy Lady M while the second dam was multiple stakes-placed. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:38 GP 5th SAVATIANO (#2, 8-1) was hung wide chasing pace, weakened late as tepid favorite trying one turn mile for first time on dirt. Should benefit from the effort and inside draw turning back to six furlongs. Likely to offer a little more value this time around. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:44 TAM 5th FEISTY KITTEN (#12, 15-1) is on the Also Eligible list, and thus needs some help getting into the race, but if he gets to start he’s a threat to win this with a late run, as his latest was better than it may appear -- he was wide on the first turn and then ran into traffic in the lane; dangerous given some pace help. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:20 AQU 6th AL’S PRINCE (#3, 8-1) caught a sloppy track first time out and raced a bit greenly after a troubled start, before winding up over on the rail in the stretch on a day when that may not have been the best place to be; showed a little run in that spot and is eligible to improve quickly for a trainer who is 9 for his last 36 with second-time starting maidens in dirt sprints (25%, $2.36 ROI). -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:46 TAM 7th ON THE LIPS (#3, 8-1) is kin to two-time turf winner Nix Danger as well as Travel Advisory, who was graded stakes placed on the grass; he was off the board in his latest but that was a quick race, with the winner registering an 80 Beyer (par for the class and distance is 69), and he was once again against the race flow, which favored those with speed. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:50 AQU 7th Considering that he was making his first start since March, and doing so over a demanding distance, PRINCE OF PHAROAHS (#1, 6-1) actually ran quite well last time while cutting the pace and battling gamely to hold off the eventual winner into dep stretch, before ultimately settling for second-best; cuts back slightly for his second start back and he doesn’t need the be ridden so aggressively this time. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:20 AQU 8th STANHOPE (#1, 15-1) was cut back to sprint for his return to dirt last time and faded to finish last after being put on the chase from the start; clearly hasn’t panned out after a somewhat promising start to his career, but he has endured some tough trips along the way and he should appreciate getting the added ground to work with here as he drops again. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:22 TAM 8th ANANROAD (#1, 4-1) comes out of routes but he prompted a quick pace in his first start against winners, a race that came up fast, verified when the winner returned to score again, also with an above-average figure; this gelding gets the rail and meets a field that’s a little light on early zip, which could enable him to make the lead if he breaks alertly, even on the turn back. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:25 LRL 9th Lots of questions to answer for CANDYGRAMFORMONGO (#7, 15-1) as he doublejumps in class while stretching out beyond six furlongs for the first time in his career. Thought he looked good beating conditioned sellers last time, however, as he tracked the leaders three wide before forging by turning into the stretch. Has the tactical speed to get close to the pace, but it must be noted he was listed as a vet scratch on New Year’s Eve. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:50 TAM 9th PRINCESS NINA (#5, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:13 GP 10th LORD OF WAR (#9, 9-2) deserves a mulligan after breaking poorly, falling far back, racing greenly while showing plenty of run through the stretch debuting at five furlongs for same tag. Would expect to see this one much closer to pace if able to leave with the others on stretch around two turns in a race clearly lacking much in the way of any real early speed. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:32 SA 7th Even though he was thwarted three times at this N2X level, all at short prices, BORDER TOWN (#5, 4-1) gets another chance. The trouble-prone closer was gelded prior to his most recent start in October, but a mile and one-eighth from behind a slow pace was too much to ask. Off since, working well, he might be a better horse in his second go-around as a gelding. He also has a history of running well fresh, and might be best suited to this one-mile trip. First start back, ready to fire. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

7:30 SA 9th SLY (#4, 4-1) finished an okay third behind race-8 contender Pubilius Syrus last out on dirt, but SLY prefers grass. He switches to preferred footing for this, both wins were on the SA grass. He can wear them down while dropping to $25k claiming. The race sets up for a closer. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets