DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, January 18, 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.

12:10 GP 1st BATTLING BUBBLES (#7, 12-1) lost best chance when very rank early, hung wide returning against bottom level maidens for first time since a game second place effort last winter. Could be sitting on best yet making third start of current form cycle with a cleaner run. – Mike Welsch

12:50 AQU 1st CALL BOB (#3, 12-1) was nowhere in the debut sprinting on the grass - not that he has a turf pedigree - then went right back to the drawing board; returned as a new gelding with Lasix on but bumped into a very well-meant Cox first-time starter (91 Beyer for Suncroft) and had no chance, though he did show improved speed; drops for the dirt debut. – Mike Beer

1:18 AQU 2nd GHOSTLY GIRL (#3, 6-1) couldn't get a front-running Roman Goddess when only second-best at this level off the claim in September; caught a wet track and another front-running winner in her only subsequent attempt in this condition, and has otherwise kept tougher company since; like her cutting back for this after showing speed going longer in that last one. – Mike Beer

2:09 GP 5th JUAN VALDEZ (#6, 12-1) a tepid nod amongst a wide open bunch with plenty of questions to answer among the competition especially regarding this distance. Showed some improvement when stretching out, trying grass against much better last fall in N Y and respect that bullet work from the gate at Payson prepping for this. Is kin to multiple Euro-turf winner Boynton. – Mike Welsch

3:47 AQU 7th THE INSTITUTE (#2, 8-1) was cut out to be a runner but it took him a while to put everything together, which he finally did as a 3yo at Finger Lakes; 2023 campaign was frustrating to start, but he looked good running over a 1/5 favorite with a new top figure two back, then shipped here and might have run an even better race when overpowering a good field three weeks ago; going good now and will be a price. – Mike Beer

4:08 GP 9th MR BRIZEL (#2, 6-1) was forwardly placed throughout, hung gamely to the end in a race that fell apart to late running winner dropping to this level and trying turf for first time five weeks earlier. Back for same tag while returning to Tapeta but obviously a pretty nice fit for this price. – Mike Welsch