Handicapping

Happy Coaching Club American Oaks Day!  It would have been nice to get a rematch between Good Cheer and La Cara in the CCA Oaks after La Cara’s Acorn Stakes triumph. While La Cara is entered today the connections for Good Cheer are aiming for the Alabama Stakes later in the meet. Maybe we’ll get the rematch then. But we do have are three very strong graded stakes led by the CCA Oaks and the Vanderbilt Handicap – both of which are very betable races.  Trivia question: Which trainer has won the Coaching Club American Oaks the most times?    Race 10 – The Coaching Club American Oaks…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/19/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  12       Race overview  A wildly deep and competitive N1X for 3up at 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  There’s a full field of sprinters, so it’s going to be fast, and likely contested early on, which says a rating gear will come in handy.      Trends  A fast and finally consistent main track on Wednesday and Thursday seemed on the fair side, with potentially a slight tilt towards those who can lay close early, though that’s hardly surprising.      …

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/17/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  7       Race overview  A very competitive 16k claimer for 3up at 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  There looks to be plenty here, especially towards the outside, so the ability to settle and kick on late seems like a good asset.      Trends  It’s been a constant changing of track conditions throughout the first four days, so there’s really nothing to by, in terms of how the track may be playing, so things bear watching once some consistency from the…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/18/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  9       Race overview  A tremendous N1X for 3yos at 1 1/16 miles on the Mellon Turf.       Pace  It’s a full field, with more than a few who have shown an affinity to run on or just off the pace, so things figure to be honest up front.      Trends  The rains, and therefore limited us of the turf, has basically rendered this an “N/A,” though a firm course is going to play to speed more often than not, so monitor…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/13/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  10       Race overview  A full field of 3up NYB 50k MCL’s at 1-mile on the inner turf.       Pace  It looks on the modest side, as there’s not much confirmed on paper, which suggests you need to be able to lay close early.      Trends  Rains have put some give into the turf, and limited the availability as well, so it’s tough to decipher much so far, though once it gets firm and fast again, it will play to speed, especially…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/16/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  A 20k claimer for 3yos at 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  No doubt #3 Aero Star (5-2) is going early, with #1 MILES AND MILES (2-1) pressing/chasing, and after that, there’s not much.      Trends  It’s been a constant changing of track conditions throughout the first four days, so there’s really nothing to by, in terms of how the track may be playing, so things bear watching once some consistency from the weather arrives.       Best Play …

Happy Dunkin’ Diana Day!  This year the Diana Stakes has been joined by the Bowling Green Stakes on this opening Saturday. This move puts the Bowling Green on the calendar before the United Nations Stakes at Monmouth and it’s now positioned a month before the Arlington Million. Hopefully, this change draws better fields to this local prep to the Sword Dancer which has been moved from the Travers Day card to early August to get it away from the Kentucky Downs meet.   Trivia Question: What is the Bowling Green Stakes named for?  Race 8  – The Bowling Green Stakes – Grade II  One Mile and Three Eighths on…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/11/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  7       Race overview  A relatively modest renewal of the G3 Coronation for 3yo fillies at 5 ½ furlongs on the Mellon Turf Course.       Pace  It’s a turf sprint, so things figure fast up front, though there’s a chance that #1 MAKE HASTE (2-1) clears off early.      Trends  Though the meet officially started Thursday, but the four-day July 4th Festival showcased a very speedy pair of turf courses.      Best Play  #1 MAKE HASTE (2-1) (turf only): Awesome GP…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/12/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  A solid field of pricey 100k 3yo claimers at 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  It looks potentially hot and competitive, as there are a trio that wants to mix it up early, which means the ability to settle a bit will come in handy.      Trends  Though the meet officially started Thursday, the four-day July 4th Festival found a main track that definitely favored speed, or at the very least, though who could lay close early.  …