Handicapping

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/4/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  A seemingly very weak MSW for NYBs fm3up at 5 ½ furlongs on the Mellon Turf Course.       Pace  For a turf sprint, there’s really not much here (on paper), except for #4 MISS IM PULSIVE (7-2), so tactical speed seems imperative.      Trends  There’s nothing to garner, as this is just a one-off five-day race week, but if the weather cooperates (another mystery), take note of how speed is playing on both turf courses.      Best…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/1/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  9       Race overview  A relatively underwhelming renewal of the G3 Mint Jule for fm4up at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.       Pace  There’s plenty here on paper, as more than a few want to motor early, which suggests this will be won from off the pace.      Trends  They just aren’t running enough on the turf to have any real feel, but on a whole, it plays much fairer than the speedier courses you see at GP or SA. …

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  5/31/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  10       Race overview  A tremendous renewal of the G3 Blame for 4up at 1 1/8 miles, which is a prep for the local G1 Stephen Foster next month.       Pace  There’s plenty here on paper, as several want to be part of the pace, so the ability to settle a bit should come in very handy.      Trends  The main track continues to be on the fair side, with all types of running styles having a fair go of it. …

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  5/30/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  4       Race overview  A very weak 30k MCL for fm3up at 5 ½ Fs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as it’s a dirt sprint, and there are more than a few who want to be close or involved early on.      Trends  The main track continues to be on the fair side, with all types of running styles having a fair go of it.      Best Play  #2 TROUBLER (3-1): MSW dropper hasn’t been…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  5/29/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  4       Race overview  A competitive 80k N2L for fm3up at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.       Pace  It actually looks pretty honest, as there are more than a few entered who want to be involved early, or close throughout.       Trends  They just aren’t running enough on the turf to have any real feel, but on a whole, it plays much fairer than the speedier courses you see at GP or SA.      Best Play  #9 SASSY PRINCESS…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  5/26/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  2       Race overview  A very weak (even for this level) 12.5k MCL for 3up at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.       Pace  There’s really none here, not to mention a ton of one-run deep closers, which gives #8 PROMISSIONE (5-2) a huge edge.      Trends  The main track seemed to play a bit more forward last week, but on a whole, when fast, it’s been fair more often than not.      Best Play  #8 PROMISSIONE (5-2): Pace…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  5/25/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  5       Race overview  A seemingly meek 20k MCL for 3up at 6Fs on the main track.       Pace  It’s a full field, with more than a few who want to be involved early, so things look honest up front.      Trends  The main track seemed to play a bit more forward last week, but on a whole, when fast, it’s been fair more often than not.      Best Play  #8 OUTDOOR CAT (5-2): Stiff dropper didn’t fire after a…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  5/24/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  4       Race overview  A solid 25k claimer for fm4up at 6Fs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as there are more than a few who want to be involved early on.      Trends  The main track seemed to play a bit more forward last week, but on a whole, when fast, it’s been fair more often than not.      Best Play  #9 OFF RAMP (3-1): Versatile sort has been on Tapeta, turf, and dirt this…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  5/23/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  4       Race overview  A very weak MSW for 2yos at 5Fs on the turf.       Pace  On paper there’s not much here, with the obvious exception of   #7 OUTFIELDER (5-2), who looks like a pure speedball (in the AM) for ace 2yo debut trainer Ward.      Trends  They haven’t run too many turf races, but over a firm course last week, speed held well in the sprints.      Best Play  #7 OUTFIELDER (5-2) (turf or dirt): Ward firster cost…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  5/22/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  5       Race overview  A restricted MSW for fm3up at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.       Pace  There’s little to none here, so anyone with some tactical speed should be elevated, and expect a bunched group on the far turn.      Trends  The main track seemed to play a bit more forward last week, though it continues, on a whole, to play fair when it’s been fast.      Best Play  #5 LOLO LE PLUME (5-2): Open MSW runner…