DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, January 11, 2025
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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.
12:49 GP 2nd DIALITHIC (#5, 4-10) one of a number of class droppers in this one and likely the controlling speed if away running. – Mike Welsch
1:10 AQU 3rd KING FREUD (#3, 12-1) has only sprinted once previously on dirt, that coming in a stakes race at the end of his juvenile campaign; he had won his prior start on dirt with a 71 Beyer, and he concentrated mostly on turf as a 3yo; has something to prove here but this race is open to a lot of different horses and he will be a price. – Mike Beer
1:28 TAM 3rd COSTA AMALFITANA (#2, 8-1) made a run on the turn and continued well to the wire in a good effort for the show last time, as the favorite was able to control the pace from the start; resulting Beyer fits nicely and she'll be tough to stave off if she gets a fast, contested pace to chase.
2:40 AQU 6th MELT WITH YOU (#5, 6-1) arrived in good form from out of town two starts back and he was impressive winning over this distance that day while coming wide from last with a strong finish; rebound chance stretching back out after catching a sloppy track off the claim last time. – Mike Beer
3:39 AQU 8th STOP THE SPREAD (#1, 20-1) won twice on dirt early on despite never getting many chances on the surface; scored a clear-cut win when cut back to sprint two back at Churchill, then was forced to chase wide when wired by ON THE HILL last time at Finger Lakes; needs his absolute best but he can be more conservative with other speeds in this race, and he will be a price. – Mike Beer
4:18 GP 9th CITY OF OSCARS (#3, 10-1) suffered through a brutal trip when backed to 3-5 for local bow after posting well graded maiden win in N.Y. Deserves another chance at what figures to be a much better price with his stable mate DREAM ON likely to garner the bulk of the support trying allowance company for first time off big run in the Breeders' Cup. – Mike Welsch
4:28 TAM 9th CHROME GHOST (#7, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck).