Author Archives: Brian Nadeau

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/8/25      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  4       Race overview  An extremely weak 30k MCL for 2yos at the short stretch finish line of 1 1/16 miles on the main track.       Pace  There’s none here to keep #7 TINGUS PINGUS (5-2) from being in front, especially since several others are deep one-run closers.      Trends  The main track played very fair Opening Weekend, with winners coming from everywhere.      Best Play  #7 TINGUS PINGUS (5-2): Expected speed/pace player tired in his main track debut at…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 10/5/25 Featured track Keeneland Race number 7   Race overview A solid MSW for 2yo fillies at 6 furlongs.   Pace It should be honest, as there are a slew of first-time starters, as well as a few proven runners who want to be close early. Trends N/A Best Play #4 PAIGE TURNER (4-1): DeVaux charge was a strong 2nd on debut at Saratoga for a barn that never cranks them, and this 350k daughter of Army Mule—who stands for just 20k—was bet that day (6-1), so she’s well-liked, and therefore she figures primed here. Bet Types…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/4/25      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  10       Race overview  A wildly deep and competitive renewal of the G1 Coolmore Turf Mile on the turf.       Pace  It looks honest and contested, and potentially even hot, as more than a few, including a pair on the inside, want to be involved early.      Trends  N/A      Best Play  #5 WOODSHAUNA (5-1): Rapidly improving Euro 3yo won a G1 against his own two-back but ran a big 3rd after blowing the start when facing older, oozes class,…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/3/25      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  8       Race overview  An extremely subpar renewal of the G2 Jessamine for 2yo fillies at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.       Pace  It’s a full field, with many who have shown speed in the past, so things figure honest and potentially fast and competitive up front.      Trends  N/A      Best Play  #12 TIME TO DREAM (2-1) (turf only): Pletcher charge enters undefeated and untested after two easy Saratoga wins, including the PG Johnson, has a stalking style…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/28/25 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 6   Race overview An uninspiring 30k MCL for 3up at 7 furlongs.   Pace It’s a big field of 10, so things should be honest up front, as there are more than a few who want to be close early. Trends A fast and drying out track was very fair Thursday night, and a fast main track was the same Friday. Best Play #9 HEPHEPCUTDOWNNETS (7-2): Del Mar invader starts for a Hess barn that has enjoyed plenty of success this year at CD, was facing better out west,…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/27/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  1       Race overview  A watered down restricted MSW for 3up at 6 furlongs.       Pace  It could potentially fast, even with a short field, as there is fresh speed from #3, and #5 really wants to motor early.      Trends  a muddy main track played towards speedy types Wednesday, while a fast, drying out track was very fair Thursday night.      Best Play  #2 SHELLAC (4-1): Arguably the worst ML of the meet (which has been filled with…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/26/25 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 8   Race overview A modest 80k N2L claimer for 3up at 1-mile on the main track.   Pace It looks honest, as #3 wants to be in front, and #2 just wired to break his maiden, so he should be forwardly placed too. Trends A fast main track continued to play very fair throughout the week, with winners coming from everywhere. Best Play #1 ESCALATION CLAUSE (9-2): Former Brown runner is now with a Delaware Park-based Compton barn that is 20% on the year, and the fact he ships…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/25/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  2       Race overview  An extremely weak 16k claimer for fm3up at 6 ½ furlongs.        Pace  It looks honest enough, as there are more than a few who want to be on the lead or pressing things early.      Trends  A fast main track continued to play very fair throughout the week, with winners coming from everywhere.      Best Play  #7 JUST AN OPINION (5-2): Well-drawn runner has been facing better, drew perfectly, lays over these on paper,…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/24/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  4       Race overview  An extremely watered down 20k MCL for 3up at 6 furlongs.        Pace  It looks honest enough, as there are more than a few who want to be close and involved early on.      Trends  A fast main track continued to play very fair throughout the week, with winners coming from everywhere.      Best Play  #6 SHADOW CAST (2-1): MSW dropper also goes turf-to-dirt, drew perfectly, has the speed to be on or just off…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/21/25 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 6 Race overview A meek 20k MCL for fm3up at 6 furlongs. Pace It’s a full field, with more than a few who want to be close early, so things look honest up front. Trends A fast main track has played very fair when it’s been fast, including Wednesday and Thursday, with winners coming from everywhere. Best Play #3 POINTSETMATCH (7-2): MSW runner also gets off the cow pasture of Kentucky Downs, has the speed to be on or just off the early pace, and seems primed on the biggest…