Thu, 01/16/2025 - 09:55

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

Emily Shields
First post for Santa Anita racing is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET on Thursday.

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 | Bet this race with DRF Bets

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 | Bet this race with DRF Bets

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

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 | Bet this race with DRF Bets

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 | Bet this race with DRF Bets

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 | Bet this race with DRF Bets

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

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 | Bet this race with DRF Bets

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

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 | Bet this race with DRF Bets

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 | Bet this race with DRF Bets