DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, January 29, 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.
11:59 GP 2nd HAPPY BOY ROCKET (#9, 4-1) broke awkwardly, raced wide, switched leads late while showing some promise at first asking. Expecting better getting blinks/Lasix at second asking. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
12:57 GP 4th CONGRESSMAN (#12, 5-1) and SWING SHIFT a couple more very promising new faces from potent Pletcher arsenal, both working very forwardly for their debuts. Tough to separate. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
1:27 GP 5th SORREL (#1, 6-1) got back a bit too far off what appeared relatively soft pace while bogging down on what was arguably a dead rail for the Via Borghese. Lures Irad, could be ready to garner first U.S. victory at her best. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
1:43 TAM 4th JARA (#3, 3-1) was away slowly in her return to the races, and she never threatened, but that may have been a prep for a route anyway, and she now stretches out for a barn which does well second time off the layoff; best back figures going long are plenty good enough to win this. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
2:13 TAM 5th STARSHIP OREO (#5, 6-1) was well up the track in his latest but a race-long duel did him in; he should get a softer set up in terms of pace this time around, as this is not a field that's packed with speed, and he may be able to steal it if he can shake loose in the opening stages. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
2:43 TAM 6th LION CHARMER (#6, 10-1) had little chance to last after prompting the pace in that closer-friendly race last time out, and he was cooked in a duel in his prior try, but he has shown an effective rating gear in the past, and he could find himself perfectly spotted behind the pacesetters here if he reverts to those tactics; best Beyers plenty good enough. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
3:36 OP 6th SHORTLIST (#8, 10-1) has seen steeper, and also is appealing as a consistent sort who owns a series of competitive Beyer Speed Figures. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race
4:25 TAM 9th ELLAS MY LOVE (#9, 5-2) didn't run badly in the Claiming Crown Express but that may have been a bit out of his realm; down in price for this he figures to improve at this level, as he has the tactical speed to work out a favorable trip despite the wide post. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
4:42 OP 8th DIVINE ARMOR (#6, 6-1) invades from Southern California, where he shows some strong works. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race
6:26 OP 11th QUICK TO BLAME (#4, 5-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Mary Rampellini). | Get PPs for this race
7:00 MED (Harness) 3rd CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN (#5, 3-1) was used to the front and raced well versus better foes last time. Four-year-old should be able to wire this field unless one of these steps up in a big way. – Derick Giwner | Get PPs for this race
9:00 WBS (Harness) 7th MUSTANG BEACH (#1, 7-2) comes off a big trip where he left to the front then took a shuffle, got backed up on the turn, then re-rallied well. He is a clear top choice. – Garnet Barnsdale | Get PPs for this race