Daily Racing Form handicapper Brad Free previews the Santa Anita racing card for Thursday, January 8, highlighting his top selections across nine races. His best bet is Public Assembly in Race 7, a G3 turf route for fillies and mares that has been postponed multiple times. Public Assembly, a proven turf performer with strong recent form, is favored to win, with Paradise Lake and Watchtower also in contention. Other notable races include Race 3, featuring G1-placed Stark Contrast and Plutarch in a $100k turf stakes for 3-year-olds, and Race 8, where front-runner Del Mar Jerry is expected to control the pace in an N1X dirt mile.
Brad also offers insights on the remaining races, emphasizing promising horses such as Warm Reception in the maiden turf mile opener, Contrary Chieftain in a claiming race, and first-time starter Red Hot in Race 6. He notes pace scenarios, recent form, and trainer-jockey combinations to provide a comprehensive guide for bettors aiming to gain an edge at Santa Anita. The article encourages readers to access free DRF past performances and highlights the reliability of Daily Racing Form as a trusted horse racing resource.
