DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Friday, January 9, 2026
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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: 12:20 ET
Track: Gulfstream (1st Race)
Horse: MAPPY (#3, 5-1)
MAPPY ran OK off the layoff and did so from a tough post. First Lasix is a 46% move for team Sacco. We like that connections come here for more money as it shows confidence. There is little pace in this race so drawing the 3 hole helps the trip all while never that far off whomever finds the front end. – Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 12:40 ET
Track: Aqueduct (1st Race)
Horse: BROADWAY LIGHTS (#5, 5-2)
BROADWAY LIGHTS landed in a much tougher race carrying a $50k tag last month off the claim; her most recent prior start on the main track came in a race rained off the turf at Saratoga, and she did well to get second that day after early trouble left her out of position; better trip coming from the outside post, and this is significant class relief. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 12:50 ET
Track: Gulfstream (2nd Race)
Horse: DON'T GO ASTRAY (#8, 9-2)
DON'T GO ASTRAY draws outside and has speed all in a race with little zip. The layoff is the X factor. First Lasix like everyone else might help a speed horse a tad more. Wire please. – Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 1:58 ET
Track: Tampa Bay Downs (4th Race)
Horse: CROSSATI (#1, 7-2)
CROSSATI is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 2:38 ET
Track: Aqueduct (5th Race)
Horse: ANTIETAM (#4, 7-2)
ANTIETAM progressed through three starts as a 2yo before missing time; was tried on turf when brought back to the races last summer, then ceded ground throughout the running when bumping into a sharp, front-running winner back on dirt at Keeneland (Nuanced won that race with a 91 Beyer, then came back to earn a 92 when just-missing in his next start); one final chance as he drops off the claim. – Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 2:45 ET
Track: Fair Grounds (3rd Race)
Horse: LOST IN THE SAUCE (#7, 6-1)
LOST IN THE SAUCE is a DRF Best Bet (Marcus Hersh). | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 2:58 ET
Track: Tampa Bay Downs (6th Race)
Horse: MAMA DRAMA (#10, 6-1)
MAMA DRAMA has been idle since the summer but this rise in class off that last run signals confidence from trainer Gerald Bennet; she's widest of the 10 entered in this sprint but she's quick enough to establish position and she could fall into an ideal stalking trip. – Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 3:58 ET
Track: Tampa Bay Downs (8th Race)
Horse: PARTY HARDY (#1, 10-1)
PARTY HARDY stretches out to a route after two sprint tries off the five-month layoff and this could well be his best game, as his lone career win came in a two-turn race, albeit on Gulfstream's synthetic strip; inside draw should mean he's an immediate factor. He may be the one to get first run on PAVED IN GOLD. – Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 6:00 ET
Track: Santa Anita (7th Race)
Horse: SAVANNAHS BIG GIRL (#11, 6-1)
This Cal-bred maiden-20 sprint is a good spot for second-time starter SAVANNAHS BIG GIRL to spring a minor upset. Her fourth-place debut was okay. She got shuffled early and finished evenly late in a race the odds-on favorite won by five lengths. Decent debut by 'GIRL, who moves to an outside post (11) and can improve second out. – Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 7:30 ET
Track: Santa Anita (10th Race)
Horse: OVETA'S HOBBY (#2, 8-1)
This turf sprint for $25k claiming fillies and mares came up deep. In a race with lots of contenders, OVETA'S HOBBY gets the call. She was overmatched vs. allowance rivals last out; her last five starts in claiming and starter races produced three wins and five in-the-money finishes. Her pressing style could lead to a cozy trip positioned right behind the speed. She can wear them down. – Brad Free | Get Past Performances for this race
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