Handicapping

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/13/26      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  5       Race overview  A meek 20k n3l for fm3up at 6 furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as more than a few want to be close and contesting things early on.      Trends  The main track continues to play fair, and even had a bit of an off-the-pace feel to it over the weekend.      Best Play  #3 VEKOMANCER (2-1): Stiff class dropper ran relatively well in two turf starts against much better, and was…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/12/26      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  4       Race overview  A strong 45k claimer for 4up at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It should be hot, as #1 Mischievous M (4-1) is going, and, provided he breaks, #8 Trust Issues (15-1) is too, which suggests this could land in the lap of a stalker/close in the lane at this tricky distance.      Trends  The main track continues to play fair, and even had a bit of an off-the-pace feel to it over the weekend.      Best Play  #5 INEXORABLE (5-2): Stiff class dropper was…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/9/26      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  7       Race overview  A strong 85k MCL for fm3up at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It looks on the tepid side, with just #1 Immaculate Moon (5-2), wanting to go early, so being able to lay close is key.      Trends  A fast main track seemed a bit forward Wednesday and Thursday, but nothing too out of the ordinary.      Best Play  #5 ROSE TO RICHES (3-1): Brown filly woke up on the switch to dirt off a long…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 8/8/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 5   Race overview A typically solid N1X for 3up at 7 furlongs on the main track.   Pace It looks honest enough, as there are more than a few who want to be close early, though there are no true burners signed on either. Trends A fast main track seemed a bit forward Wednesday and Thursday, but nothing too out of the ordinary, though on big race days, expect things to be tightened up and playing potentially to speed. Best Play #6 PRETTY BOY MIAH (2-1): Talented sort finally gets the…

Happy Whitney Day! Big time card today with four Grade I’s led by a loaded Whitney and The Fourstardave which honors the “Sultan of Saratoga”. Trivia Question: Nitrogen takes on the colts in the Whitney as she attempts to become the seventh filly to win this prestigious Grade I. Who was the most recent filly to win the Whitney? Race 10 – The Fourstardave – Grade I One Mile on the Inner Turf For Three Year Olds and Upward Rhetorical: In the Turf Classic at Churchill on Derby Day he took the field all nine furlongs (107 Beyer). Then in the Manhattan his early lead evaporated as he…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 8/7/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 8   Race overview A relatively modest 20k N2L for 3up at 1-mile on the main track.   Pace There’s little to none here, so at this tricky distance around the Wilson Chute, being able to lay close early seems imperative. Trends Inconsistent weather has made the main track tough to get a gauge on, though it has played fair and consistent when it’s been fast. Best Play #9 SHANGRALA ROAD (3-1): Rice runner will make his first start on the main since he was claimed at Kee in April, so getting…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 8/6/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 4   Race overview An extremely strong 12.5k claimer for fm4up at 6 furlongs.   Pace It looks hot and contested, as more than a few want to roll early, which suggests this could fall apart in the lane. Trends Inconsistent weather has made the main track tough to get a gauge on, though it has played fair and consistent when it’s been fast. Best Play #8 JACKSON’S DIXIE (7-2): Stretch runner drops after facing better in three starts off the Dutrow claim, so while her form doesn’t look great of late,…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/5/26      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  10       Race overview  A strong 50k MCL for 3up NYBs at 1 1/16 miles on the Mellon Turf.       Pace  It looks on the tepid side, with just longshot #9 Followill (15-1) wanting to show speed, so being able to lay close seems imperative.      Trends  A firm, drying out turf course played very fair over the weekend, with horses winning on the lead and from well off of it too.      Best Play  #1 BEAU CHEVAL (9-2) (turf only): Tactical sort was a solid…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/2/26      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  2       Race overview  A solid NYB 45k/N2X for fm3up at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as several want to be close early, including #4 BELLACOSE (9-2), who wired open foes last time.      Trends  The main track has played fair during the meet, and was forward as it was drying out Friday, though tab how it played fast Saturday.      Best Play  #4 BELLACOSE (9-2): Cox/Dubb claim aired in her comeback off an 11-month layoff against open 25k NL2s, won the last time…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/1/26      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  An extremely strong 100k claimer for 4up at 1-mile.       Pace  It looks potentially hot and contested, as more than a few want to motor early, which suggests the speed could com back in the lane.      Trends  The main track has played fair during the meet, though check the results Friday, as it was finally fast after the all of the torrential rains earlier in the week.      Best Play  #6 REASONED ANALYSIS (2-1): Brown dropper was a chasing and tiring 3rd against better, in what was his first start in…