DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, February 4, 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.
1:23 LRL 3rd WHITE NITRO (#2, 4-1) catches a hungry field for his career debut at this bottom dime level. His sire connects with 15% of older debut runners, and this is the first foal out of an unplaced half-sister to Grade 3-winning turf router Customer Base and stakes-winning dirt sprinter Hyperlink. Trainer Justin Nixon has won with three of his last five debut runners on dirt ($4.96 ROI). -Dan Illman | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets
2:00 OP 1st ARLINGTON'S SHINE (#1, 6-1) gets the nod as one who ran a credible race against open maidens last out at Remington. He also owns the best last-race Beyer Speed Figure in this field. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF
2:23 AQU 3rd NEW YORK ROCK STAR (#6, 9-2) stretching out following three sprints off the layoff and thought she ran well in each of those recent starts, including that last one when having to steady on the turn while just starting a run, and then gathering again to be passing some horses late to no avail; distance might be a question but she has won routing on turf in the past. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF
2:55 AQU 4th JUDGE ALEXANDER (#2, 6-1) didn't earn much of a figure en route to breaking his maiden last time, but he did some good things in that race while keeping in range of a solid pace for the level, and them coming wide to easily close that race down at the end; stretches out looking to catch a fast track for the first time since dropping in class, and his trainer has solid numbers with horses like this - maiden winner last, dirt: 7 for his last 18, 39%, $2.22 ROI. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF
3:02 OP 3rd COWBOY CACTUS JACK (#1A, 12-1) has recency on some of these and owns a competitive series of Beyer Speed Figures. He's also moving back into the Arkansas-bred ranks with the meet now on at Oaklawn. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF
3:10 GP 5th POSITIVE PHIL (#4, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Ron Gierkink). | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF
4:15 GP 7th ZAP DADDY (#5, 8-1) improved dramatically while winning a recent $16K conditioned claimer in his debut for trainer Carlos David, who had a 15% strike rate second-time off the claim over the past five years. He could strike again in this $35K starter with a hot Junior Alvarado taking over. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF
4:46 GP 8th First-time gelding GEMONTEER (#6, 15-1) is worth a flyer is his first appearance since last spring. The front-runner can fire while fresh and he resides in a live barn, which has fared well when using Arroyo. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF
4:55 AQU 8th BINGO JOHN (#9, 9-2) caught slop for his debut run and had to chase from the start, before racing on well for third despite still appearing to be a bit green in the stretch; draws outside with lasix on, and he is bred to handle the added ground as a half to a Grade 2-winning dirt router. -Mike Beer | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF
5:48 GP 10th MISS AMENDMENT (#7, 10-1) is by the popular young sire Constitution, who's gotten 19% debut winners and 16% turf winners. Her dam, a turf expert, produced four grass winners from as many starters, including stakes winner Bold Thunder. -Ron Gierkink | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF
6:10 OP 9th FRENCH ROSE (#5, 12-1) removes blinkers here and she did not wear the equipment for her last win on form. -Mary Rampellini | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF