Author Archives: Brian Nadeau

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/11/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  8       Race overview  A relatively modest (on paper) MSW for fm4up at 1-mile on turf.       Pace  There’s a trio on the inside that want to be on or just off the early lead, so things look honest, and potentially competitive, up front.      Trends  They don’t run enough turf races here for there to be a true course profile, but needless to say, it’s a lot fairer than the GP speedy highway that #3 HEDGE BOOK ran over in her career debut.      Best Play  #3 HEDGE BOOK (6-1) (turf only): Been waiting for…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/10/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  3       Race overview  A very strong 25k claimer for 4up at 1 1/16 miles.       Pace  There’s not much here, with the possible exception of #7 Saltwater Cowboy (9-2), so being able to lay close early seems a plus.      Trends  A fast main track played on the fair side all week, with winners coming from every, including plenty from mid-pack off off-the-pace.      Best Play  #6 DAI VERNON (9-5): GP invader now also moves into a potent Crichton barn, which is a huge 36% with newcomers,…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/7/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 10   Race overview A deep and competitive N1X for NYBs at 7fs on the main track.   Pace It looks hot and contested, as there are more than a few who want to be on or just off the early lead. Trends The main track continued to be a paved highway the first three days of the meet, with minimal passing, so you better be close, at the very least, even at this demanding distance. Best Play #6 BOLD LOVE (5-1): Stalker ran well against open 3yos at 1m with big…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/6/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 4   Race overview A wildly deep and competitive OC/N1X for fm3up at 6 ½ furlongs.   Pace It looks hot and contested, and potentially supersonic, as there are more than a few who want to fly on the front end, which suggests this could fall apart in the lane (if the track is more on the fair side; see below) at what is a tricky and demanding distance. Trends The main track was predictably fast and speed Wednesday and Thursday, so make sure to check the charts Friday in the hopes…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/5/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 6   Race overview A predictably deep and competitive MSW for fm3up at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf.   Pace Simply put, there’s none here to keep #5 HOME WRECKER (10-1) from clearing early and trying to lull them all to sleep on the front. Trends It was just one day, but the turf sure played to speed Wednesday, with all but one winner being either on or just off the early pace, so monitor things Thursday, and swing away if it’s still the case. Best Play #5 HOME WRECKER (10-1)…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/4/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 8 Race overview A solid renewal of the G2 Intercontinental for fm4up at 5 ½ furlongs on the Mellon turf course. Pace It looks hot and contested, as there are at lest three who want to motor early on the front end. Trends N/A Best Play #3 IN OUR TIME (3-1) (turf only): Tactical filly cut back and wowed in the G2 Giant’s Causeway at Keeneland, has the perfect running style to sit off the speed and get first run on the closers, and should only be better with the sprint return…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/3/26      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  9       Race overview  A solid renewal of the 200k Commentator for NYBs at 1 1/8 miles.       Pace  It looks honest, if not a bit on the hot side, as not only are there more there a few who want to be close and involved early, including a few who have been running oat one-turn.      Trends  The short answer is N/A, though the longer one says a fast main track will likely be on the quick side, and play more towards speed. …

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 5/31/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 6   Race overview A very weak bottom-level 12.5k MCL for 3up at 1-mile.   Pace There’s not much here at all, save #1 CARSON (7-2), which should only flatter his chances on or just off the early lead. Trends The main track was very fair the first two days of the week, even tilting a bit towards off-the-pace types. Best Play #1 CARSON (7-2): Lightly-raced 4yo was a solid 2nd at the level off a four-month layoff, in what was his dirt debut as well, so he has more upside…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 5/30/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 3   Race overview A solid MSW for 3up at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.   Pace It looks honest, as there are a few routers who want to be close, and some stretchout sprinters who should be forward as well. Trends The main track sped up Sunday, with all winners coming from 12st or 2nd early, so make sure to follow things early in the week. Best Play #3 SILENT WAY (8-5): Tactical sort was a good 2nd to Belmont-bound Powershift here on Derby Day, seems to be…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 5/29/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 9   Race overview An extremely (!) weak 50k MCL for fm3up at 1-mile on the turf.   Pace It’s a full field, with several who have shown an affinity to be close early, so things look honest enough up front. Trends The turf course doesn’t get used enough to come up with something concrete, though as a whole, it plays on the fair side. Best Play #8 RACONTEUSE (3-1) (turf only): MSW dropper was a close 5th with a giant figure (for this group) after stalking and tiring against tons…