Author Archives: Brian Nadeau

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/23/25      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  7       Race overview  A deep N2L for 2yos at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.       Pace  It looks on the slow side, as there are no burners signed on, while several entered have shown an affinity to come from off the pace.      Trends  They don’t run enough turf races to develop any kind of trend or bias, though this is a much fairer course than a speedier Sar or GP.      Best Play  #9 EXPRESSWAY (7-2) (turf only):…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/22/25      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  3       Race overview  A meek 40k N2L for 3up at 6 furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as more than a few want to be close early.      Trends  A fast main track (it was sloppy Sunday) continued to be very fair last week, with winners coming from everywhere.       Best Play  #4 COLONEL CALIENTE (5-2): Pace presser was a strong 4th against better while facing winners, in a liv race that saw the winner…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/19/25      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  9       Race overview  A full field of 2yos in a MSW at 6 furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It could be hot, as there are a slew of firsters from sharp barns, as well as a few with experience who have gone fast early.      Trends  The main track continued to very fair during the first part of the week, and even had a bit of an off-the-pace feel to it Th/Fri.       Best Play  #5 TROUBLE…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/18/25      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  6       Race overview  A solid renewal of the G3 Perryville for 3yos at 7Fs on the main.       Pace  There’s plenty here, as more than a few want to be involved early and often, including #5 Captain Cook (6-5).      Trends  The main track continued to very fair during the second week of racing, with winners employing several different running styles.       Best Play  #3 BARNES (5-2): Baffert charge lost to Captain Cook in his comeback in the G1…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/17/25      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  4       Race overview  A seemingly watered down MSW for 2yofs at 5 ½ Fs on the turf.       Pace  It’s a full field, with some experienced runners who have shown speed, so things look honest up front.      Trends  They don’t run enough turf races to get a real feel, but a firm course, especially at this distance, typically plays to speed types.      Best Play  #2 LION LAKE (5-2) (turf only): Walsh filly figures primed for a white-hot barn…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/16/25      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  6       Race overview  A solid MSW for 2yos at 7 furlongs.       Pace  Things figure to be quick early, as #8 DR. KAPUR (5-2) showed high speed on debut, and there are a slew of first-time starters from strong barns as well.      Trends  The main track continued to very fair during the second week of racing, with winners employing several different running styles.       Best Play  #8 DR. KAPUR (5-2): Speedster led basically every step of the way…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/15/25      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  7       Race overview  A seemingly weak MSW for 2yo fillies at 7 furlongs.       Pace  It’s a full field with firsters and more than a few experienced runners who have shown speed, so expect things to be fast early.      Trends  The main track continued to very fair during the second week of racing, with winners employing several different running styles.       Best Play  #10 BONNE SANTE (5-2): Homebred was bet down like a good thing on debut and…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 10/10/25 Featured track Keeneland Race number 7 Race overview A very weak N1X for fm3up at 1 3/16 miles on the turf. Pace It’s a turf marathon with very few who have an abundance of proven talent, so expect things to be very slow early and turn into a sprint off the far turn. Trends They don’t really run enough turf races to have much conviction on how it plays, though any give in the ground will hurt the speed. Best Play #2 VINA ARANA (2-1) (turf only): Extremely talented filly has struggled to get back to…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 10/9/25 Featured track Keeneland Race number 6   Race overview A deep and competitive AOC for 3yos at 5 ½ furlongs on the turf.   Pace There’s a ton of it here pre scratches, which suggests anyone who will be up front early will pay the price late. Trends They really don’t run enough turf races to have much conviction on how it plays, though any give in the ground will hurt the speed. Best Play #1 LITIGATION (3-1) (turf only): Stalker has won three in a row and now tests better, and while this is a…