Handicapping

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/2/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  11       Race overview  An absolutely tremendous renewal of the G1 Whitney for 4up at 1 1/8 miles.       Pace  It will be honest, and possibly even on the fast side, with some speed entered, along with a confirmed rabbit (#8).      Trends  A fast main track has continued to play on the speedy side, which means the ability to lay close, at the very least, is key.      Best Play  #9 FIERCENESS (9-5): Superstar was a flat 2nd in the…

Happy Whitney Day!  This is one of the top cards of the year. Four Grade 1s including the Fourstardave, the Test, the Derby Invitational, and it’s headlined by the $1 million Whitney. The Whitney is loaded, you will not find a better field of older dirt horses anywhere outside of the Breeders’ Cup Classic.    Trivia Question: Which all-time great horse won the Whitney three times during the 1960s?  Race 9 – The Saratoga Derby Invitational– Grade I  One mile and Three Sixteenths on the Mellon Turf For Three Year Olds  Capitol Hill: Came from the clouds in the Manila Stakes to just get up for second (83 Beyer).…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/31/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  9       Race overview  A solid renewal of the 150k John Morrissey for NYBs 3up at 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  There’s not much here, which means the favorite #9 Whatchatalkinabout (2-1), and #2 BANK FRENZY (3-1) should be chasing just off of him.      Trends  A fast main track continued to play towards speed, especially in sprints, though it was sloppy on Sunday, so continue to monitor it as the racing week evolves.      Best Play  #2…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/30/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  A competitive 20k MCL for fm3up at 6Fs on the main track.       Pace  There’s a ton here on paper, as several want to be on the lead, so there’s a decent chance this falls apart in the lane.      Trends  A fast main track continued to play towards speed, especially in sprints, though it was sloppy on Sunday, so continue to monitor it as the racing week evolves.      Best Play  #6 SUNSET SIZZLE (2-1): MSW…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/27/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  9       Race overview  A solid AOC for 3up at 1-mile on the main track.       Pace  There’s a ton here on paper, as runners 1-4 all want to be on or just off the early lead, so having a tactical gear seems imperative.      Trends  A fast main track has played towards speed, so you need to be able to lay somewhat close early, at the very least.      Best Play  #6 WARRIOR RICHARD (2-1): Stalker enters in top form…

Happy Jim Dandy Day!  Bill Mott has campaigned Sovereignty as well as you could.  Sure, they passed on the Preakness. But that was never their plan, Mott has stuck to the plan, and he should get credit for that. The question today is whether Sovereignty will be fully cranked today. It is Saratoga of course, and plenty of 1/5 shots in big races have found their demise along Union Avenue.  Trivia Question: Who was Jim Dandy?   Race 9 – The Lake George Stakes – Grade III  One Mile and a Sixteenth on the Inner Turf, for Three Year Old Fillies  Reining Flowers: Consistent performer hasn’t won a stakes…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/26/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  11       Race overview  A full field of NYB fo3up at 1 1/16 miles on the Mellon Turf.       Pace  There’s not really much on paper, so expect a tight group that will sprint off the far turn.      Trends  While it hasn’t been often, a firm turf course has been playing a bit on the speedy side, so, at the very least, you want a runner who has the ability to be tactical early on.      Best Play  #9 HELLO…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/24/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  10       Race overview  An extremely deep and competitive 35k N2L for 3up on the inner turf course.        Pace  There’s none here at all—save for #8 KID KREESA (8-1)—who should be able to control things from the outset.      Trends  While it hasn’t been often, a firm turf course has been playing a bit on the speedy side, so, at the very least, you want a runner who has the ability to be tactical early on.      Best Play  #8 KID…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/25/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  9       Race overview  A solid renewal of the G2 Amsterdam for 3yos at 6 ½ Fs on the main track.       Pace  No doubt #1 Macho Music (2-1) is going from the rail, which should put #3 SMOKEN WICKED (6-1) in a good pressing/chasing outside.      Trends  A fast main track has played towards speed, especially the sprints, though watching the weather and the races early in the week is prudent, as a forward main track isn’t out of the ordinary…