Handicapping

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/14/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  1       Race overview  A competitive MSW for fm3up at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.       Pace  These 1 1/8-miles main track routes usually crawl early, so expect a bunched group that will sprint off the far turn.      Trends  The main track continued to play more to off-the-pace runners last week, continuing a trend that (you would think) may turn soon.      Best Play  #3 DANZIT (9-5): Pletcher charge was a solid 2nd to an easy winner…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/13/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  7       Race overview  A modest 17.5k N2L for fm3up at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It looks hot and contested, as there is a trio who want to be involved early, which suggests this could fall apart in the lane.      Trends  The main track continued to play more to off-the-pace runners last week, continuing a trend that (you would think) may turn soon.      Best Play  #7 MELLE MEL (6-5): Stiff class dropper has…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/10/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  1       Race overview  A solid MSW for 3up at 1-mile on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest, though not overly fast, as this is a tricky trip on the main track, and there are no real burners signed on, but a few who want to be close early.      Trends  The main track continued to play a bit more to off-the-pace runners on Wednesday and Thursday, a trend that is worth monitoring as the better races loom on…

    “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).…