DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, January 23, 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.

12:10 LRL 1st Although MAGIC IN ME (#2, 9-2) steps up into a special weight after nine losses, it's possible she's found the right spot tackling a field mostly comprised of first-time starters. Tracked a fast pace going seven-eighths last month, made a clear lead and was clearly second best. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

12:20 AQU 1st HEY MAMA (#1, 4-1) a firster by Maclean's Music (wins with 16% of his first-time starters and 18% of his dirt sprinters) and out of a winning dam; Schosberg doesn't have the reputation with firsters that he once did, but there was a time when he was dangerous with horses like this, and this filly does not land in a tough spot on debut. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

12:15 TAM 1st GHOST STALKER (#2, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

12:39 LRL 2nd KRUG (#3, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Dan Illman). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:57 GP 4th Looking for the needed improvement to happen for LORD JAXSTON (#5, 8-1) when making his second start for the perennially underrated T.Hills barn; earned a 57 Beyer when getting some valuable education four Sundays ago and has had 3 works in the interim; good as any in what's clearly one of the deeper races of the day. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

2:13 TAM 5th FADE AWAY (#1, 8-1) adds blinkers and ground after running a deceptively good race in defeat in his latest, as he was moving well through the late stages; may be good enough with a clean trip from the hedge, as he should once again get an honest pace. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:11 LRL 7th REMEMBERING WILBUR (#2, 5-1) is a half-brother to stakes-placed dirt sprinter She's Achance Too. The last two workouts match up with 4-year-old filly Volnay (two-time winner with 62 Beyer top). Perhaps they breezed in company. Might be the better price of the uncoupled entry. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:20 AQU 7th ANCIENT BROWN (#1, 20-1) has not run well in her three starts since returning to NY, though there might be some mitigating circumstances there; won each of her last two starts over harrowed tracks, and she ran pretty well winning her debut over this track as a 2yo; has dome comparatively little dirt spriting in her career, especially on fast dirt, and this seems to clearly be her preference. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:37 GP 7th RICHY (#8, 7-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Marty McGee). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:42 LRL 8th HIT A HOMER HONEY (#8, 6-1) gets strong class and distance test after beating bottom maiden claimers at odds-on going six furlongs. Tracked the fast pace five wide, made a four-wide bid on the turn and was too much for that group (the runner-up returned to finish second for $10,000 with a 43 Beyer and is entered earlier today). Improved a bit with blinkers and should have enough pedigree to last this demanding one-turn mile. -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:19 OP 7th CANADIAN GAME (#2, 5-1) is back in the claiming ranks off the starter appearance in which he was third to a quality winner. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:20 AQU 9th WRITE THIS DOWN (#2, 5-1) has made her last three starts up in class after being claimed for $40k from a maiden win at Saratoga, and she has not been competitive with those better horses; has concentrated on turf throughout her career but that debut run on the main track was underrated and thought she was interesting returning to dirt for this while dropping back down. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:21 TAM 9th FOX ROX (#4, 6-1) comes off a sharp win, his 6th career victory over this course, and he can post another score if she's able to run to that last figure for trainer Dennis Ward, who once again has this 11-year old gelding in good form; that last effort proves he still has it, and with a clean trip he's going to be tough to stave off late. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:42 GP 9th Lacking opportunities for 5-furlong dashes at this time of year out West, the Cal-bred MAMBA QUEEN (#6, 8-1) finds herself in the barn of leading trainer Saffie Joseph when looking to take full advantage of her superior early speed; fresh, eager, and presumably willing, she might take a whole lot of catching in this alw. feature, whether turf or Tapeta. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

5:14 GP 10th Fairly heady effort from MY MAN VITO (#5, 8-1) for these same conditions on Xmas eve resulted in a respectable runner-up finish; another step forward could put him over the top. Clearly he'll need to get the better of his next-gate neighbor, BOURBON OVER ICE, who turns back from 7 panels when dropping in price in his 2nd try for S.Matos. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets