DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, January 30, 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.
12:33 TAM 1st SHALL RETURN (#2, 6-1) was behind both PRINCESS LIVIA and MULBERRY in that last try but the latter pair controlled the pace from the start in that sprint, and comprised a two-speed exacta; that pace scenario always makes it tough on those runners looking to close ground late, and while SHALL RETURN was unable to do there she could turn the tables in this opener given a quicker, contested pace up front. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
12:41 GP 3rd MUBTADAA (#3, 7-2) by War Front has shown some promise on the main track in a m activity and lures Saez for the assignment. Might be good enough off bench in debut. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
12:50 AQU 2nd I SEE THE STARS (#6, 6-1) broke his maiden on turf vs. $14k claimers at Woodbine, but he has the advantage of being lightly-raced in this spot, and the fact that he showed speed in that maiden victory might also be a good sign for him in this race; dirt debut last time came in a much tougher race for the level, and he had trouble at the start of that race. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:02 TAM 2nd RAL COPPERHEADROAD (#2, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:10 GP 4th CHESS'S DREAM (#1, 8-1) has yet to run a poor one on grass and could be sitting on best yet despite taking big jump up to open, graded company. Might spring the upset if logical pair NEVER SURPRISED and KENTUCKY PHAROAH get involved early on. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:40 GP 5th MOZO BELLO (#5, 9-2) getting ample class relief dropping to bottom for first time with Tyler taking the return call. Can be along with some help up front. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
1:50 AQU 4th As consistent as AMERICAN POWER (#5, 5-1) has been throughout his career, he has never really been a stakes horse (he did take a shot in the Grade 1 Vosburgh back in 2019 following three straight wins, but he was never going to be competitive vs. that kind of field); interesting in here off of his last two starts for Atras, where he not only got the mile two back, but has shown much more early interest; good effort last time to turn away challengers early on and then stay gamely to prevail. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:20 AQU 5th SHAKER SHACK (#8, 5-1) debuted last summer at Belmont as part of a well-backed entry (reasonable to assume that this was the filly that was of interest) but she didn't have much speed in that spot before failing to impact; starts back for a new trainer on the drop and she will add lasix for this. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:31 OP 2nd JUNESANDRA (#8, 5-1) has fired competitive races in each of his two career starts. He also owns the field's best last-race Beyer Speed Figure. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:36 TAM 5th LADY CLOVERLY (#2, 20-1) was off the board in her grass debut but she did show some interest through the lane while not being pushed hard, as it was clear she wasn't going to threaten for a share, and she also galloped out well past the wire; worth a shot at the price, as improvement could be forthcoming with that race under her belt. -Kenny Peck
3:33 OP 4th ITS COLD IN DEHERE (#8, 9-2) ran second last out to French Empire, and note that one goes later on the card in the American Beauty Stakes. As for ITS COLD IN DEHERE, she returns to dirt, site of her last two wins on form. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
3:53 LRL 8th MY FRIENDS BEER (#7, 6-1) makes third start of the form cycle after a decent effort in the Jennings two weeks ago. Last on the rail turning into the straight, he was pinched while in between horses in midstretch and finished with some interest in between horses. He might be a bit more effective on a fast track and should get some pace to attack in this spot. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:23 LRL 9th OLIVE'S BUMPA (#5, 3-1) was bumped leaving the stalls in first start off the Farrior claim, tracked the moderate pace while in between horses, altered course widest at the three-sixteenths and finished with mild interest. Two turns might be a true test for a filly with lots of seconds on her record, but she seems like a nice fit at this level. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
4:25 AQU 9th CONTINUATION (#4, 5-1) debuted over this track and trip a year ago and ran an excellent race that day to finish a clear second in a fast race; didn't run quite as well in his next start when just missing, then got caught on a dead rail taking pressure all the way in his final NY start last March; want to give him one more chance as he ships back in making his second start off the long layoff and switches back to dirt. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets