DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, December 31, 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.
12:40 GP 2ND CASE (#5, 5-1) one of a handful of intriguing new faces to this lineup but doing well in the a.m. for barn with a solid win mark with first time starters. – Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
1:40 GP 4th GOLDEN VOICE (#7, 8-1) back to the turf off the claim and has some races on her form that would beat these including victory over Kate's Kingdom this summer at Pimlico, the latter winner Powder Break here in her next start. – Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
2:14 AQU 5th BRACIOLE (#1, 6-1) blew the start in a race like this at SAR when last seen Aug. 3 but kept to his task decently to get 3rd. He was left with far too much to do after that poor start but showed some tactical speed in other outings. He's been freshened and returns as a gelding. – Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race
2:21 LRL 5th SHAOLIN (#11, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Dan Illman). | Get PPs for this race
2:39 GP 6th MARYQUITECONTRARY (#7, 3-1) has continued to improve with every start and obviously a horse for the course. Gets a class and distance check but could be up to the test with another forward move. – Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
3:40 AQU 8th The light has apparently gone on for UNBRIDLED BOMBER (#10, 5-1) as the son of Upstart has looked like a new horse in his last 2, both romping wins. He faces tougher but could be he hasn't reached his ceiling. He obviously likes it here and the distance is no sweat. A bullet work Dec. 18 says he holds his edge. – Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race
4:08 AQU 9th DUST DEVIL (#3, 6-1) hasn't run in 2 1/2 months since finishing 4th vs. more expensive here Oct. 15. That heat was highly flattered (produced 5 next-out winners). He's been freshened and returns at the same level and distance as his last win here Sept. 16. – Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race
5:00 SA 5th In a difficult turf sprint for 2yo maidens, the tepid call is the fastest horse in the field. He is speedster JOHANNES (#4, 6-1), whose highly rated third-place finish two back would make him the one to catch. Turf sprints are okay for Nyquist progeny (14 percent wins). – Brad Free | Get PPs for this race
7:09 SA 9th LOVESICK BLUES (#1, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Brad Free). | Get PPs for this race