DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, January 7, 2023
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.
12:39 GP 2nd The prospect of a lively pace could give STARSHIP RENEGADE (#4, 10-1) the edge he needs to spring the upset over likely odds on favorite FLOKI'S FLIGHT. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
12:55 LRL 2nd PRAY FOR THE U S A (#8, 5-1) chased hard outside Speak Your Mind (1,031 lbs. on 12/10; -10 from prior start) through fast fractions last month, was outpaced under a hard drive, then re-rallied in between to miss by less than a length. Similar trip is possible adding blinkers and drawing outside the speed, and gets another half-furlong to work with. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race
1:47 AQU 5th DOCTOR LOVE (#9, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race
1:59 OP 2nd EL TIGRE TERRIBLE (#10, 9-2) was an odds-on favorite last out at Del Mar. He cuts back to one turn and figures to be strong through the stretch on account of the distance move. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race
2:10 GP 5th NATURE BOY (#2, 8-1) drops to weakest level yet off improved showing last time. switches from double bug to hot jock. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
2:16 AQU 6th TRYINMYHEARTOUT (#4, 5-1) and SENIOR PRANK both Into Mischief fillies debuting in a MSW field lacking much in the way of performance from the experienced runners. TRYINMYHEARTOUT is out of a stakes-winning mare who is a sister to Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A. P., and her second dam is multiple Grade 1 winner Hollywood Story; trainer does good work with his newcomers, though three straight gate works leading into this might be a red flag. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
2:33 TAM 5th FUNNY MAN (#9, 10-1) finished off the board in that off-the-turf race in his debut but he ran a solid race in defeat, making a nice wide run on the turn before he tired late; tries to get on the grass once again and while the pedigree offers few clues as to his ability to handle this surface he's worth a shot at a price off that initial try. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
2:39 GP 6th BEAUTY DESTINY (#3, 10-1) from dangerous barn with new faces for this kind of tag. Has not missed a beat in a.m. for quite some time. Lures Castellano for the occasion. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
3:05 TAM 6th HADDASSAH'S DEVIL (#8, 6-1) was against the race flow in his latest, off the pace in a race lacking speed (note the inverted "S" in DRF pp's, indicating a severe edge to Speeds) but he returns to seven furlongs today and this is his best distance; may be able to make the last run here if he gets an honest pace to chase. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
3:26 OP 5th UNIFIED GURL (#5, 10-1) did not get the break last out and also was racing on a wet track for the first time in her career. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race
3:30 SA 2nd Despite his debut for a stable that typically races maidens into condition rather than fire first out, firster CHROME TO RICHES (#11, 5-1) nonetheless gets the call in an apparently modest Cal-bred maiden turf sprint. His workouts are solid, and though debut progeny of California Chrome win at a below-average rate, the colt's dam won first out and her first two runners ran well first out (without winning). -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race
3:35 TAM 7th LULLABY LAND (#8, 5-1) and PANOTTI (#1, 4-1) were a nose apart in that last meeting, the former steadying in the early stages and the latter making up ground late despite traffic trouble; using them both equally in this race, as LULLABY LAND also caught the eye two back when she closed strongly and galloped out nicely and PANOTTI impressed in his win two back. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
3:41 GP 8th Some familiar faces to the category assembling again although opting for much-improved CADET CORPS (#10, 8-1) who comes off best yet switching to grass last time now back on what may be preferred surface here. Barn has been hot of late and will offer a little value considering imposing presence of FLY THE W. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
4:14 AQU 10th HOT FUDGE (#10, 8-1) earned an improved figure when coming up short in her return to turf when last seen over a year ago, but she had also run very well while breaking her maiden off a shorter layoff a couple of starts prior; has always had upside and returns with Lasix on for a hot barn. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
4:24 OP 7th MOJO MAN (#7, 12-1) has some back class to call upon and could be sitting on a peak effort in the third start of his form cycle. He's also a multiple winner over the local strip. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race
4:55 TUP 8th AWHITESPORTSCOAT (#3, 10-1) is feeling good. This gelding has some back class. New barn is 20% off the claim but the sample size is small. Local works are sharp. We think this gelding will be a good price. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
6:15 GG 9th REV REE (#6, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Steve Andersen). | Get PPs for this race
7:15 GG 11th THE GREAT HAYNES (#5, 5-1) should get a stalking trip behind ANGEL'S ADVOCATE and Luxury Liner. The Great Haynes finished a fast-closing third in an allowance race at 5 1-2 furlongs on Nov. 26 and should benefit from a slightly longer six-furlong race here. -Steve Andersen | Get PPs for this race
7:45 MED (Harness) 5th A BETTOR BEACH (#3, 3-1) was used hard and made a break last time, which in my mind only serves to provide us a better price here. Seven-year-old is capable from on or off the pace and he draws a perfect post tonight. – Derick Giwner | Get PPs for this race
8:00 WBS (Harness) 4th EMMETTS BUDDY (#3, 3-1) looked loaded following excess cover as they approached the three-quarter pole last week and when driver Louis Roy showed him racetrack in the lane it was a formality that he was going to sail by the leaders. He gets the call to repeat off that sharp win. – Garnet Barnsdale | Get PPs for this race