DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Wednesday, January 1, 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.

2:19 GP 5th BUCCHERO'S DUDE (#8, 9-2) is a DRF Best bet (Scott Ehlers).

2:40 AQU 5th WHISTLER'S STYLE's (#1, 8-1) two most recent starts have come in longer two-turn routes, which is not close to her best game; prior start at this distance was a good effort closing fast way too late; interesting trainer change for this while cutting back. – Mike beer

2:57 TAM 6th MURUMBI (#7, 9-2) is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Shapiro).

3:39 AQU 7th FURRY FOX (#6, 8-1) raced wide while facing tougher in the career debut sprinting; was dropped for the second start and she dominated that field from start to finish going a mile on a wet track; has the speed to handle the cutback and has been breezing right along since the maiden win. – Mike Beer

3:48 GP 8th UNCHAINED ELAINE (#3, 6-1) looks even better if you discount her three turf races. She loves this dirt where she has hit the exacta in all four starts. She just won for fun going seven furlongs so today's flat mile should be within reach. This filly has tactical speed and there isn't that much pace in this race. – Scott Ehlers

4:08 AQU 8th PAWTUCKETSHUFFLE (#5, 6-1) is a DRF Best Bet (Mike Beer).

4:51 GP 10th RISEN SUN (#9, 6-1) gets the double whammy of new gelding and first Lasix. One of two sibs is a multiple winner of 310K. This gelding did little in his debut but did get some play when sent off at 5/2. Class drop makes perfect sense as this horse only cost 6K. Team Ramsey is 3 for 4 going special weight to maiden claimer. Perez gets a leg up and is 27% for said barn. – Scott Ehlers

7:18 SA 9th Late-running horse-for-course WHATMAKESSAMMYRUN (#9, 9-2), 3-for-6 in main-oval turf sprints at SA, is the choice in this $32k claiming turf sprint. He won by a nose vs. similar his most recent start two months ago, and can wear them down in a race that has enough pace to flatter his late kick. The challenge is distance; six furlongs is shorter than he prefers. – Brad Free