DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Wednesday, January 5, 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 UNSOCIABLE (#5, 9-2) second best behind wire to wire winning, odds on mate in a promising debut, a race flattered when couple of the also-rans came back to graduate vs. lesser in their next starts. Saffie reaches out for Tyler today. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

12:49 TAM 2nd VEGAS SLIPPERS (#1, 9-2) ran fine in her debut and notice that she got a lot of play. Three of five sibs beat winners. New barn is 32% off the claim. Rail draw didn't hurt in debut so maybe it won't matter today. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

1:48 TAM 4th THAWED (#8, 6-1) did just run better off the layoff. Quick turnaround might be a good thing. We think this filly could be involved early and if so then this post is key. This is the kind of field where a price horse makes sense. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:18 TAM 7th DIVINE CONTROL (#6, 20-1) had to work for recent maiden win and did so as the big chalk so that field probably wasn't very good. Yet, that is why we like this gelding today versus first time winners. It took 15 starts for this horse to find the winner's circle and these types often get a taste of winning and like it. It helps that he goes third off the layoff and returns to the turf. Oh, he gets good race flow. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

3:32 GP 7th ZAMFIR (#7, 3-1), the day's best, stepping up to N3L level for first time but hard to knock in current form and obviously a fan of the synthetic. Three of also-rans out of last race came right back to win N2L claimers of their own. -Mike Welsch | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

4:18 TAM 9th JOEY THE CARPENTER (#6, 8-1) did nothing in his debut but he was hard to load. Plus, we can forgive anyone's debut. Class drop and well spaced works go hand in hand. One of three sibs is a multiple turf winner. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets

6:05 TUP 8th CROOKED FINGER RAY (#7, 6-1) catches a race where more than a few have a good shot so exotics are of main interest. As for this gelding he cuts back to his favorite distance where he has never missed the exacta. Class drop is too much? Leading rider stays put and is 32% for this barn. -Scott Ehlers | Get PPs for this race | Bet this race with DRF Bets