Handicapping

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/4/26      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  7       Race overview  A very strong n1X for 3up at 7 furlongs.       Pace  It looks hot and extremely contested, as there are several on paper who want to motor early, which means, at this demanding distance, it could fall apart in the lane.      Trends  N/A      Best Play  #5 PIMLOTT (9-2): Stalker cuts back after a close 5th going a tricky 1m in a fast race at Ellis, should love all the pace up front, and makes what…

Happy Champagne Day! If you like two year old racing – today’s Belmont card is perfect for you with six graded stakes for juveniles. Top billing is shared by the Grade 1 Frizette and Grade 1 Champagne, both of which are “win and you’re in” races for their respective Breeders’ Cup divisions. We also have an all-stakes Pick 6 as part of the betting action. Trivia Question: Today are the last Grade 1 races in New York for the year. What was the first Grade I race in New York in 2026?   Race 8 The Champagne – Grade 1 One Mile On The Dirt for Two Year…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 10/3/26 Featured track Keeneland Race number 11   Race overview A seemingly (on paper) modest MSW for 2yo fillies at 6 furlongs.   Pace It’s a full field, with several first-time starters, so you would think things are going to be honest up front. Trends N/A Best Play #3 ROCK YOUR DREAMS (3-1): McPeek filly debuts off four straight bullet local works without missing a beat in the AM, and catches the right kind of field for a solid 14% barn with firsters. Bet Types Aggressive WP bet, and single to end all horizontal exotics as well. Play…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 10/2/26 Featured track Keeneland Race number 7 Race overview A relatively modest renewal of the G2 Phoenix, for 3up at 6Fs. Pace It looks hot and contested and potentially supersonic, as there are a slew who want to roll early, which suggests this could fall apart late. Trends N/A Best Play #8 HYMM (4-1): G1 Forego winner pressed then grinded it out at 7Fs for his win at the Spa but has run well at 6Fs as well, and with all the heat up front, he’ll be a bit farther back today, which should allow him to sit…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/27/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 9 Race overview A soldi 50k starter-allowance for 3up at 1 1/16 miles. Pace There’s none here whatsoever, so this could play like a turf ran, in that they’ll be a tight pack while going slow early, and things will turn into a sprint off the far turn. Trends A fast main track continued to play fair Wednesday-Friday, with winners coming from all over, including several from off-the-pace. Best Play #3 SOUTH BEND TOWN (7-2): Sprinter finally stretches back out into a pedigree that is two turns top-and-bottom, which should have…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/26/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 6   Race overview A strong N1X for fm3up at 1 1/16 miles.   Pace It figures on the slow side, as there are no burners signed on, so expect a tight pack that will sprint off the far turn. Trends A fast main track continued to play fair over the week, with winners coming from all over, including several from off-the-pace. Best Play #3 COUPLET (9-5): Lightly-raced daughter of Gun Runner looked good breaking her maiden an now stretches to two turns, with a pedigree to love the trip, and…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/25/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 4   Race overview A deep and competitive 100k MCL for 3up at 6 furlongs.   Pace It’s going to be honest, as there are several towards the inside who want to be forward, and comebacking MSW dropper #10 QUENTIN B (7-2) who just may be faster than all of them. Trends A fast main track continued to play fair over the week, with winners coming from all over, including several from off-the-pace. Best Play #10 QUENTIN B (7-2): Romans returnee was supposed to be a good one at GP but…

9.24.26 Churchill Downs Race number 6   Race overview A competitive OC 100k/N3X for 3up at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.   Pace It looks contested and potentially hot, as more than a few want to be on the lead early on, at what can be a very demanding distance. Trends N/A Best Play #6 PIERRE (7-2) (turf only): Stalker was hardly embarrassed in the G1 Woodbine Mile and now gets to put Lasix back on, just-missed two-back at Sar, and has a running style to take advantage of the expected contested pace. Bet Types Aggressive WP bet, and single in the late Pk5/Pk4 as well. Play…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/23/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs        Race number  6       Race overview  A conditioned 50k N3L claimer for fm3up at 6 furlongs.       Pace  It looks honest, as there are a pair (#2 and #3) who want to go, which should secure a stalking trip for #4 JUST DO BELIEVE (7-2).      Trends  A fast main track continued to play fair over the week, with winners coming from all over, including several from off-the-pace.      Best Play  #4 JUST DO BELIEVE (7-2): Ct invader has won three straight…