DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Saturday, January 8, 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.
12:20 AQU 1st WRITE THE CHECK (#7, 12-1) dropped for her second career start and finished gamely to be a distant second behind a blowout, odds-on winner; stepped up in class while stretching out for her next start, and she caught a wet track when back at an appropriate level last time; one more chance with Lasix on. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
12:42 TAM 2nd TETON THAI (#8, 12-1) has had her chances (22) but she ran well in defeat in each of her last two, under conditions similar to today's; has the speed to stay close from the start. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
1:58 OP 2nd PEPPER PIKE (#7, 5-1) can be closer to the pace than he found himself in his most recent start. He faced some quality rivals in his most recent start and gets the services of a journeyman in Santana. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race
2:48 AQU 6th EXTREME (#4, 8-1) earned solid figures while settling for placings in his first three dirt starts; dropped in class and cut back to sprint two starts back, where he dominated maidens on the lead with another solid figure; first start for Handal came in a meltdown race at Churchill. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race
2:50 TAM 6th GHOST STALKER (#3, 10-1) meets much better after topping claiming non-winners of three in his latest but the Beyer he posted in that win gives him strong credibility despite the class rise; figures to be rolling late for a barn that has enjoyed a strong meet thus far. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
3:20 AQU 7th RUVIES IN TIME (#6, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer). | Get PPs for this race
3:25 TAM 7th SLIME QUEEN (#1, 6-1) makes her seasonal and local debut and though she does like to run 2nd she did win two back with the aid of a favorable trip; very game in defeat wen last seen. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
4:11 GP 9th MISH (#1, 10-1) trying state breds for first time off very disappointing effort against much better in Ky. Training forwardly, must avoid early duel with the other top candidates in this one, TWICE TOO MANY and RAISE THE RENT. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race
4:25 TAM 9th HIDE THE DEMON (#3, 10-1) was moving nicely through the lane in that last one, and though he shortens up to six furlongs he may be at his best at this distance; there's speed to his inside and out and he figures to get an improved pace scenario after finishing behind a two-speed exacta in that last one. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race
5:13 OP 9th MIACOMET (#3, 5-1) draws an improved post over his last start, when he broke from the 10-hole routing and set the pace. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race
7:25 WBS (Harness) 2nd WHEELS ON FIRE (#2, 7-5) was forced to sit out a week when this class wasn’t carded, but he is still King of this hill more often than not and he is the one to beat tonight. – Garnet Barnsdale | Get PPs for this race
9:40 MED (Harness) 11th WRAPPERS DELIGHT A (#9, 5-1) wasn’t great in his first start for new trainer Pelling, but that field he faced was light years better than this one. There were a number of class-droppers who could legitimately win a NW10000 and this race is a glorified NW4000. The driver change to Brennan means we won’t get great value, but a win is a win. – Derick Giwner | Get PPs for this race