Handicapping

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/29/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  6       Race overview  An extremely deep and competitive 17.5k N3L for fm3up at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest, as more than a few here want to be close early on, especially a pair that’s drawn out wide.      Trends  A fast main track played very fair over Travers Weekend, as winners came from everywhere, including a few out of the back too.       Best Play  #8 SAILAWAY (5-1): Rice claim (20%) cuts…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/28/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  A strong 30k N2L for 3up at 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest, as more than a few here want to be close early on.      Trends  A fast main track played very fair over Travers Weekend, as winners came from everywhere, including a few out of the back too.       Best Play  #3 BLOWN COVER (5-1): Class dropper also gets back the main track and one-turn after a turf route no-show,…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/27/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  2       Race overview  An extremely weak renewal of the Funny Cide for 2yo NYBs at 6Fs.       Pace  It looks honest, as #2 Toga Twist (1-1) will be going, and stablemate and first-time starter #3 Fourth and One (8-5) is likely fast as well, and #5 Minorinconvenience (5-2) pressed in his last.      Trends  A fast main track played very fair over Travers Weekend, as winners came from everywhere, including a few out of the back too.       Best…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/24/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  6       Race overview  A solid N1X for 3up at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest, as there are a trio, including favored #1 Fort Nelson (2-1) who want to be involved.      Trends  A fast main track figures to play to speed, though check the weather, as the forecast is potentially ominous.       Best Play  #1 FORT NELSON (2-1): Mott charge and Godolphin blueblood was a game comeback winner off an eight-month layoff…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/23/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  11       Race overview  A deep and competitive renewal of the G1 Ballerina for fm3up at 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest, but not overly heated up front, so coming from too far off-the-pace may be difficult.      Trends  Rains left the main track sloppy Wednesday, but it was back to fast Thursday, so check the charts for the first two days.      Best Play  #9 HOPE ROAD (3-1): Baffert invader comes in fresh for a…

Happy Travers Day!  Today might look like a coronation for Sovereignty, but there are serious challengers. Sure, Sovereignty has been a monster with two great performances over this track but there are interesting new shooters that make the Travers more intriguing than it appears at first glance.  Trivia Question:  Who was the last horse to win Horse of the Year three times?  Race 12– The Forego Stakes – Grade I  Seven Furlongs On the Dirt for Four Year Olds and Upward  Most Wanted: Five wins from eight starts for this Candy Ride colt.  Triple digit Beyers in each of his last three races with a win in a…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/21/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  1       Race overview  A seemingly modest NYB N1X for fm3up at 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  There’s not much here on paper, at least in terms of true sprint speed, so expect a tight group early.      Trends  Rains left the main track sloppy Wednesday, so check the charts for the first two days of the racing week to see how the track played.      Best Play  #6 ACCELERATED NEWS (5-2): Stalker got to the main track…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/20/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  6       Race overview  A seemingly modest NYB MSW for 2yos at 5 ½Fs on the Mellon Turf.       Pace  There’s a full field, with several firsters, so you have to think things will be hot and contested up front.      Trends  A fast and firm turf course has played to speed, so if the forecast is dry, don’t expect much to change.      Best Play  #6 TICKET TO RIDE (5-2) (turf or dirt): The horse to beat was a…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/17/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  7       Race overview  An extremely watered down 12.5k starter-allowance for fm3up at 7fs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest, though not overlay fast, as there are more stalker/closers than speed types.      Trends  A fast main track Friday was all speed, so monitor Saturday, as things are likely turning back to the norm.      Best Play  #6 SPIRITUAL LADY (2-1): Class dropper just won a 20k starter, meets easier here, drew perfectly, and has a pressing…