DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Thursday, January 22, 2026
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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.
Post Time: 12:40 ET
Track: Aqueduct (1st Race)
Horse: TREATY OBLIGATION (#3, 5-2)
TREATY OBLIGATION got into career-best form for his prior connections at the end of 2024; returned from a layoff to win with some class relief last summer at Saratoga when taken by Rudy, and he has been in some much tougher spots since; best effort likely does it as he drops back down. -Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 1:20 ET
Track: Gulfstream (3rd Race)
Horse: SILICIUM (#4, 9-2)
SILICIUM adds blinkers, taking huge class plunge but held own in recent work with stable mate who won MSW race off this work. Like this one's chances against much weaker today. -Mike Welsch | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 2:15 ET
Track: Fair Grounds (2nd Race)
Horse: YUMA'S SHADOW (#2, 6-1)
Don't see what's not to like about YUMA'S SHADOW - beginning with the fact he makes just his second start for a trainer who hit at a 33% clip on volume during 2025. Got off synthetic and won easily at Ellis Park facing $16K N2L claiming, a logical precursor to this $15K N3L level. Had a rough trip at Keeneland and last out, his first start for J Wong, comes with three plausible excuses. -Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 2:45 ET
Track: Fair Grounds (3rd Race)
Horse: DAY FOR THE GRAY's (#7, 6-1)
Admirably consistent iron horse (15 starts in '25) DAY FOR THE GRAY's only clearly subpar races showing came at Delta two and three starts back, and in two turf races late last spring. Had handled Delta all right in an earlier form cycle but seemed to struggle there this time around. The three in front of her last out in the LS N1X -- one of whom came back to win at the same level -- all would be solidly favored to defeat this group. -Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 2:51 ET
Track: Gulfstream (6th Race)
Horse: KY'S LAW (#5, 20-1)
KY'S LAW could be worth a look at a square price with one over the track and a decent effort at that vs. MSW foes and in a race that has already produced pair of next out winners. Like the improvement shown with blinkers added and the energy shown on gallop out in recent main track drill for this. Barn sent out Cryptonym to win at big balloons over the weekend. -Mike Welsch | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 3:15 ET
Track: Fair Grounds (4th Race)
Horse: ROCK N ROLL BOLT (#5, 6-1)
I failed to notice before his Dec. 26 race that ROCK N ROLL BOLT had cleverly (I'll give the benefit of the doubt and assume there was a plan) been made eligible for $5K starter allowance races when he returned after a three-month break that followed two showings far below his standard in an odd spot, a $5K dirt claimer at Delta. Thirteen days later he showed up in a $30K N2L Fair Grounds turf route, set a strong pace, and finished full of run - an easy win. The horse has strong back form, even just last season at FG against the likes of Think Big. -Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 3:38 ET
Track: Aqueduct (7th Race)
Horse: CAPANAPARO (#7, 5-1)
CAPANAPARO looked good winning his dirt debut with a strong finish here last September; got involved in a multi-horse scrum for the lead before giving way in his next start, then tried a mile off the layoff last time; turns back with a chance to improve. -Mike Beer | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 5:06 ET
Track: Turf Paradise (5th Race)
Horse: BOBBY'S GENIE (#5, 6-1)
BOBBY'S GENIE has speed and goes second time here. This mare can get an early breather with a decent break and early encouragement from McGregor. We like that this 6YO has a recent work. She draws fine and actually drops in class. -Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 5:15 ET
Track: Fair Grounds (8th Race)
Horse: MAMBO QUEEN (#8, 8-1)
Was circumstantial as much as anything but MAMBO QUEEN got stuck four wide with no cover around the far turn, forcing a premature move that propelled her to an upper stretch lead but eventually led to a late fade. Thinks she's got another level to hit in third start since being claimed by one of the highest-percentage volume trainers in N America and can do so with a better trip. -Marcus Hersh | Get Past Performances for this race
Post Time: 6:27 ET
Track: Turf Paradise (8th Race)
Horse: HOT GOBLIN (#12, 10-1)
HOT GOBLIN is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race
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