Author Archives: Brian Nadeau

      “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…

      “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…