DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, January 16, 2025

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.

12:52 GP 2nd OYA THUNDER (#7, 4-1) ran OK off the layoff and beat over half the field home all while doing so at 121-1. Oh, it was her first start on the green. A lot of horses that like this turf like the Tapeta and this filly has already won on this surface. Last chance for a good price? -Scott Ehlers

1:10 AQU 3rd TRUE CONNECTION (#5, 8-1) ran well off the layoff two back when closing ground into a pace-dominated race after taking a bump at the start; he didn't get a great trip last time but ran well again, despite finishing behind today's rival Glint; once more chance at what should be a fair price. -Mike Beer

1:40 AQU 4th QUIET WISDOM (#3, 4-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).

1:56 GP 4th BLUE SPEARMAN (#4, 6-1) took a step backwards in his most recent but he also broke 8th of 10. There just isn't much pace in this race and with a better break perhaps this guy can take advantage. We like Saez up. Wire please. -Scott Ehlers

2:40 AQU 6th LOTSA TROUBLE's (#4, 10-1) two wins early on came over wet tracks, though he earned a solid figure in the second of those right before going to the sidelines; thought these connections gave up on his way too soon when dropping him in for $25k last time but they got away with it, and LOTSA TROUBLE carried a long, wide run to close that race down when another new Beyer top; this is way tougher but he is better than he looks and might have some pace to come after. -Mike Beer

3:29 SA 2nd Low-level $8k maiden-claiming sprinters race five and a half; all but one entrant raced at Pleasanton last out. The call is PLN runner-up CANGREJO (#7, 7-2). Improving each start, he gave the even-money favorite a battle last time out, missing by a head while finishing three lengths clear of third. CANGREJO is drawn outside and figures for a pace-pressing trip shadowing the speedsters in posts 1-2. -Brad Free

3:35 GP 7th R FIREBIRD (#4, 10-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers).

4:08 AQU 9th GOOD MISSION (#1, 9-2) was away from a strong rail chasing a front-running winner in her debut on dirt; made her next two starts on turf - and ran fine both times - then was in too tough when returned to the main track two back; cuts back and has speed from the rail. -Mike Beer Bets

5:22 TUP 7th MAGIC LIGHT (#8, 5-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers).

5:52 TUP 8th NEVER SWAY (#4, 9-2) puts three races together and does so for the firs time since May. That was a tough field last out and this gal just missed at 8-1. We like the jock switch to Mojica. -Scott Ehlers

5:57 SA 7th CLUBHOUSE CUTIE (#9, 6-1), 3yo half-sister to G1 winner The Chosen Vron, makes her debut with a string of solid works for trainer Eric Kruljac. The Clubhouse Ride filly is bred to win early. Her dam won first out for Kruljac; two of her three runners won first time out (The Chosen Vron, Tizhotndusty). Seems like a first-out "go" for CLUBHOUSE CUTIE. -Brad Free