Author Archives: Brian Nadeau

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/19/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  3       Race overview  A competitive 12.5k claimer for 4up at 1 1/16 miles on the main.       Pace  It looks on the slow side, as there’s no confirmed front-runner signed on, so expect a tight pack that will sprint off the far turn.      Trends  A drying out main track played fair both Saturday and Sunday, after heavy rains left things sloppy and sealed Friday.       Best Play  #5 ETHEREAL ROAD (3-1): In-form runner goes off-the-claim for Sharp, a…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/18/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  9       Race overview  A full field of 30k 3up MCL’ers at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.        Pace  There’s 12 entered, though there aren’t a ton of burners (#10 Spy offers cheap speed), which means you likely will need to be close early on, which should put #12 HARBE (4-1) in a perfect spot.      Trends  A drying out main track played fair both Saturday and Sunday, after heavy rains left things sloppy and sealed Friday.      …

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/15/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  5       Race overview  A deep and competitive N1X for 3up at 7 ½ Fs on the main track.       Pace  It looks a bit on the tepid side, as there aren’t many with early zip, which suggests you need the ability to lay close early.      Trends  The main track was fair and even seemed on Wednesday, and, for the most part, has been throughout the meet (when fast).      Best Play  #5 ALSTON (6-1): Returnee delivered in his…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/14/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  6       Race overview  A deep and competitive 50k claimer for 3up at 1-mile.       Pace  It looks hot and contested, as basically everyone entered wants to go early, so anyone who can rate gets a big edge.      Trends  The main track was fair and even seemed on Wednesday, and, for the most part, has been throughout the meet (when fast).      Best Play  #5 CRUSHED IT (5-1): Expected stalker makes his first start for DeVaux (12% with barn…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/13/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  6       Race overview  A stakes-caliber AOC for 3up at 6Fs on the main track.       Pace  It looks hot, and it looks contested, as (pre-scratches) there are several who want to roll early, which suggests this could fall apart in the stretch, and land in the lap of a stalker/closer.      Trends  The main track was fair and even seemed on Wednesday, and, for the most part, has been throughout the meet (when fast).      Best Play  #7 DISCREET…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/12/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  3       Race overview  A compact but very competitive 80k N2L for fm3up at 6Fs.       Pace  Things look hot and potentially crowded up front, as more than a few want to be involved early, so a stalking style seems preferred.      Trends  The main track was fair and even seemed a tad off-the-pace early in the week then turned a lot speedier and a bit inside on Sunday, after it dried out from Saturday rains.      Best Play  #6…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/8/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  6       Race overview  A deep and competitive AOC for NYBs at 6 ½ Fs on the main track.       Pace  There’s a ton of it here on paper, so there’s a chance something will give early, or someone will need to show a it of a new dimension.       Trends  It’s almost pointless t predict anything, as the weather has (unfortunately) wreaked havoc on the proceedings, though tracking things in the slop Saturday to see how the main plays can’t hurt. …

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/6/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  7       Race overview  A solid AOC for fm3up at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf course/       Pace  It should be honest, as there are a few who want to lead, and several others who want to lay close early.      Trends  There’s nothing to garner, as this is just a one-off five-day race week, but if the weather cooperates (another mystery), take note of how speed is playing on both turf courses.      Best Play  #3 MYSTIFYING (2-1)…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/5/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  5       Race overview  A seemingly weak MSW for NYBs fm3up at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf course.       Pace  It should be honest, as there are several stretching out, along with some dirt sprinters, so you have to figure more than a few will be involved early and often.      Trends  There’s nothing to garner, as this is just a one-off five-day race week, but if the weather cooperates (another mystery), take note of how speed is playing on…