DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, January 31, 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.

12:42 TAM 1st SUN SQUALL (#4, 4-1) was no match for the winner when last seen but that was an exceptionally fast race; cuts back to a sprint today but he’s run well enough in such races in the past and he may be able to run them all down late if he gets even an average pace to chase. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

1:42 TAM 3rd RAL COBRA CREEK (#2, 6-1) hasn’t been seen since nearly pulling off a huge upset on Opening Day here but if he can run back to that effort off the layoff he looms a threat here, likely at a square price; inside post and tactical speed should mean he’s well spotted from the start. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

2:06 GP 5th BLESSED JOURNEY (#3, 9-2) is shortening up a furlong from a mile to the distance of his runaway score two back vs. $12.5K conditioned claimers. His trainer is 2 for 5 second-time off the claim over the past five years ($3.60 ROI). -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

2:12 TAM 4th VAN KHOZAN (#10, 8-1) moved way up in her first dirt start around two turns, though the fact that she was racing with Lasix for the first time is a more plausible explanation for the turnaround; hoping that race signals that she’s a new horse with medication, and if she’s able to run to that effort she can win this, likely at a decent price. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

2:31 OP 2nd YES I’M LOOKING (#2, 4-1) is back on dirt and she put up her best career Beyer Figure on the surface. She also has an age edge on some of these as she is 4. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

2:40 GP 6th PLEASE THE PHAROAH (#2, 8-1) improved a little second-time out when fifth Jan. 2, and could break through at a square price in his second try with Lasix and Bravo. The son of American Pharoah is out of a stakes winner who produced Certify, a G1 winner in England. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

2:44 TAM 5th SOLDIERS SON (#8, 8-1) was no threat to the winner but that no one was going to beat the sharp Chad Brown-trained firster Principled Stand, who set a quick early pace and won geared down, on that day; this gelding made a bold bid on the turn and continued well to the wire in a strong effort and he’ll be tough with normal improvement in his second career start. -Kenny Peck | Get PPs for this race

3:20 AQU 7th ELEGANT ZIP (#7, 8-1) broke a long losing streak last time when dropped in class, though the return to dirt may also have had something to do with the improvement she showed in that spot; steps back up after getting a good trip to prevail in that last one, but she is better than she looks on paper and has the races to handle this class rise. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

4:02 SA 2nd An abundance of speed in this turf mile flatters the closing style of COVER VERSION (#9, 6-1), claimed from a runner-up finish three weeks ago. The veteran mare is reunited with Geovanni Franco, who rode her to a maiden victory in November at Del Mar. Off the pace and into the winner’s circle. Maybe. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race

4:06 OP 5th CASCADE KING (#10, 6-1) is a consistent performer who has an age edge on some of his rivals as he is 4. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

4:13 GP 9th SCAR (#5, 6-1) was a determined winner over N1X state-breds following a layoff Dec. 20, earning the co-highest last-out Beyer in this open N1X field in the process. Irad Ortiz is 3 for 5 at the meet for Klesaris, who claimed him for a bargain $12.5K in August. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

4:20 AQU 9th UP FOR ADVENTURE (#5, 6-1) a firster by a good-looking early sire (Upstart won with 15% of his first-time starters in his first crop) debuting in a logical spot despite giving away some experience; Handal had an improved year with his newcomers last year. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race

5:04 SA 4th Although FRENCH GETAWAY (#5, 4-1) might want a longer distance than one mile, the stretch-runner nonetheless gets the call to win from off the pace. With a pair of front-runners in posts 1-2, the pace should be legit. A four-time turf winner from 15 turf starts (5-for-26 overall), ‘GETAWAY can make the last run and tag them late. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race

5:09 OP 7th CABOT (#1, 12-1) has the speed to hold his position from the rail. He also shortens up a tad in distance to the six furlong trip of both of his wins - one a maiden score here at Oaklawn. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race

5:17 GP 11th SMART SPENDING (#11, 12-1) finished second among three next-out winners at first asking in a $25K turf route. The daughter of Flintshire is bred to be a later developer, and shouldn’t be out of her against these $50K maidens. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race

6:06 SA 6th Cal-bred allowance fillies and mares run a mile and one-eighth on turf, lightly raced PUSHING SIXTY (#2, 8-1) gets the call first start in nearly four months. She runs well fresh, as shown by her turf-route maiden win last summer. -Brad Free | Get PPs for this race

6:10 OP 9th MISS ANTIOCH (#8, 8-1) gets her first start with Arkansas-breds with the meet now on at Oaklawn. She’s been representing herself quite well against open foes, and was second last out to a quality sort who won multiple races during the meet at Remington. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race