DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, January 13, 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.
12:30 GP 1st In the 12:30p ET opener, outside draws to fare best, starting with the Barboza first-timer WIZARD SERRAT (#8, 10-1); trainer has won with 6 of his last 20 firsters; given all those a.m. works, this Ontario-bred should know which way to head after loading-n-going from the open-air outer box. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race
12:59 GP 2nd Don't know how/why EXPONENTIAL (#1, 6-1) is back so quick, but gonna take it as an overall good sign that P.Walder chose to enter off that overdue score last Thursday; tripped out nicely that day when reaching peak form and when ridden by leading jockey Saez, who opts instead for a different mount today, hmmm; reading too much into that kind of switch sometimes will trip you up. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race
1:48 AQU 4th NORMAN QUEEN (#1, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Michael Hammersly). | Get PPs for this race
2:18 AQU 5th GLITTER UP (#1, 3-1) comes off a strong 2nd beaten just a head here Dec. 3. Yes, that came on turf but she's bred for dirt and that last run shows she may be getting this game figured out. All 6 sibs to race are winners including Shock Leader (55-11-6-7, $220K), Griff (36-7-9-4, $279K, SW, SP) and Sand Dancer (31-4-5-2, $311K, SW, G2 SP). -Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race
3:20 AQU 7th LIAM'S FIRE (#5, 15-1) hasn't run in a while (July 2) but there are some things in his favor here, namely the pace. There isn't much speed signed up in this heat but this guy does have speed and with a clean break off some good works he can go right out to the lead and dictate things. It's encouraging he does not return with a tag attached. -Michael Hammersly | Get PPs for this race
3:37 GP 7th SHE'S HOT TODAY (#8, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Marty McGee). | Get PPs for this race
4:29 TUP 5th NO PASA NADA (#1, 5-1) ran better in his last two starts but did so on the turf a surface he isn't bred to like (256 turf Tomlinson). He gets good race flow and drops in class. The leading rider stays put and this guy has a recent work. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
5:15 GP 10th Scratched from the Sunday finale when seemingly in a good spot, QUALITY CONTROL (#1, 6-1) instead waits four days to contest the Thursday nightcap when finding something quite similar, this time with a rail draw when trying Fla-breds and $50k mdn.-claimers for the first time; looking for HOF jock to work out the rest of it. -Marty McGee | Get PPs for this race
5:28 TUP 7th WRITE ITINTHE DUST (#11, 6-1) finds a good spot on the class drop. There isn't much pace in this race so this gelding could be forwardly placed if able to break OK. Win rider in Garcia returns and this gelding has worked twice since his most recent. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race
9:20 YR (Harness) 8th LIT DE ROSE (#3, 9-2) saw her three-race win streak derailed by post seven on December 16, but she has an inside draw here and shown the ability to win both on the front-end and from behind. – Greg Reinhart | Get PPs for this race
9:45 WBS (Harness) 9th CLODAM BAYAMA (#1, 2-1) is clearly the best mare in here and she likely takes another win at a short price here. – Garnet Barnsdale | Get PPs for this race