Handicapping

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/8/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  9       Race overview  A solid 32k claimer for 3yos at 6Fs on the main track.        Pace  It looks on the tepid side, as there are no pure sprint speeds signed on, so expect a bunch group, while giving those with tactical speed an edge as well.      Trends  The main track, in an odd and surprising twist, played strongly to outside stalker/closers Saturday and Sunday, so it’s worth monitoring after the two-day break.      Best Play  #7 BACKTRACK (7-2):…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/7/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  7       Race overview  A tremendous renewal of the 150k Galway for 3yofs at 5 ½ furlongs on the Mellon Turf Course.       Pace  It looks supersonic on paper, as there are several here who want to fly early, which suggests this could fall apart in the lane.      Trends  A firm, fast turf course is always going to slant towards speed, but with so much signed on here, even this seems like it’s going to be won from off-the-pace.     …

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/6/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  2       Race overview  A meek N1X for NYBs at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.       Pace  There are some pace players, though in a six-horse field, expect a compact group that will sprint off the far turn.      Trends  The main track, in an odd and surprising twist, played strongly to outside stalker/closers Saturday and Sunday, so it’s worth monitoring after the two-day break.      Best Play  #5 SUMMER WHIRL (3-1): Son of Travers winner Arrogate has never…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/3/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  6       Race overview  A solid N1X for fm3up at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf.       Pace  It looks modest, as there’s no confirmed front-runner, so expect a tight group that will sprint off the far turn.      Trends  A firm turf course has played towards speed, so having the ability to lay close is usually imperative.      Best Play  #3 LOUISE PROCTER (3-1) (turf only): Brown filly was 5th off a nine-month layoff after breaking extremely slow and…

    “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…