DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Sunday, January 5, 2024

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 GP 1st SEEKING TO COLLECT (#2, 15-1) has some speed and there isn't a ton of pace in this race. This gelding got an early breather only two back and that resulted in his best effort to date. His last race wasn't as good but that race came key when 2 of 5 returned to win with figs of 75 and 58. The winner returned to take a 20K N2L. Morelos gets a leg up and is 18% for this barn. – Scott Ehlers

12:40 AQU 1st FAST AMENDMENT (#5, 4-1) sprinted over a sloppy track on debut, where he stayed wide throughout the running before finishing up with some late interest into an odds-on, front-running winner; bred to handle this added distance for a trainer who gets them to improve through racing. – Mike Beer

2:30 SA 1st In a competitive maiden-50 turf mile, late-runner HAPPYASACLAM (#2, 10-1) gets the call after a better-than-looked comeback vs. similar. The pace was slow, the race dominated by speed, and 'CLAM rallied from far back to miss by slightly more than three lengths while making her first start in nine months. Fine try under compromising conditions. 'CLAM should mow these down if she gets pace to run at. – Brad Free

3:39 AQU 7th COURBE (#10, 8-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).

3:55 OP 6th AWAKENING (#8, 4-1) exits a quick maiden race at Fair Grounds and now makes the move to two turns for supportive sire Curlin. – Mary Rampellini

4:08 AQU 8th MYSARIA (#8, 6-1) was returning from a layoff last time when taking a look up the rail in the stretch before flattening out late; had won her prior two starts in the claiming ranks, and can use that tactical speed to her advantage here as she comes right back at the same level. – Mike Beer

5:05 SA 6th Runner-up both summer starts in maiden turf sprints won by subsequent stakes winners, CAJUN GOLD (#3, 6-1) returns from a four-month layoff with a solid work pattern while stretching from five furlongs to six. His races at DMR were validated. First time out, 'GOLD finished second to Artislas. That rival is now a multiple stakes winner. Second out, 'GOLD finished second to Kale's Angel, who later won a stakes at Oaklawn Park. The point is, 'GOLD ran well against top company in maiden races. He can fire first start back. He is trained by John Sadler, who also entered SPRINGS. – Brad Free

4:51 GP 10th EL ZAIN (#3, 6-1) is by a 11% debut sire and a 11% debut turf sire. Her dam went 19-7-4-0 and earned 961K (959K on the grass). Two of five sibs won and both beat winners (277K and 155K). One of four sibs to try the green is a multiple turf winner of 277K (won turf debut). Team Walsh is a very good 17% with horses debuting at a mile or more. Works are well spaced and plentiful. – Scott Ehlers

7:14 SA 10th DEALERS SPECIAL (#3, 3-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Brad Free).