Author Archives: Seth Merrow

Happy Alabama Day  We get the re-match between Good Cheer and La Cara as they co-headline the Alabama field. Good Cheer was the leader of this division culminating with a Kentucky Oaks victory. But her seven race win streak was ended in the Acorn by La Cara. They meet again today. But don’t sleep on Nitrogen who is looking for a breakthrough on the dirt.  Trivia Question: What is the oldest stakes race in America for three year old fillies?  Race 9 – The Skidmore Stakes   Five and One Half Furlongs On the Mellon Turf for Two Year Olds  Schwarzenegger: Was cross entered in a MSW on Thursday,…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/21/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  8       Race overview  A modest 50k starter-allowance for 3yo fillies at 7 ½ furlongs.       Pace  There’s very little here, aside from longshot #3, so anyone who has tactical speed should have an advantage.      Trends  A drying out main track played fair both Saturday and Sunday, after heavy rains left things sloppy and sealed Friday.       Best Play  #7 ANONIMA (5-2): Class dropper has been facing tons better while holding her own, has enough speed to lay close…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/11/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  2       Race overview  A solid 40k claimer for 4up at 1-mile on the main track.       Pace  There’s no one here who can run with #4 El Rey Dorado (7-2), which means he should be able to clear on the front, especially since several who are entered are two-turn routers with no speed at all.      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…

Happy Fountain of Youth Day!  Gulfstream has monster card with eight graded stakes today. The winner of the Fountain of Youth will receive fifty Kentucky Derby points and that should be sufficient to earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby field, especially with the Baffert trainees unable to Run for the Roses.  Trivia question: Who is the only three year old filly to win the Kentucky Oaks, the Black Eyed Susan, and then sweep the Acorn, the Mother Goose, and the Coaching Club American Oaks?    Gulfstream Park Race 9  – The Davona Dale – Grade II  One Mile on the Dirt for Three Year Old Fillies   Miss…