Handicapping

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/18/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 5   Race overview A solid 20k conditioned claimer for fm3up at 1-mile.   Pace There’s little to none here, so tactical speed seems at a premium, as this should be a tight pack that will sprint off the far turn. Trends The main track was fair Opening Week, with winners employing all running styles. Best Play #3 FINAL SHIPMAN (3-1): Stalker will be close early with such a decided lack of pace signed on, and her consistent form should play here, against a group there for the taking. Bet Types…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/17/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs        Race number  6       Race overview  A competitive 100k MCL for 3up at 1 1/16 miles.       Pace  It looks tepid, as there are no burners on paper, which should help #9 MACCHIATO (7-2) who dueled last time in his return at Ellis.      Trends  The main track was fair Opening Week, with winners employing all running styles.      Best Play  #9 MACCHIATO (7-2): Pace player dueled and tired in an MSW return off a 14-month layoff at Ellis, so from a…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/16/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs        Race number  6       Race overview  A solid 16k conditioned claimer for fm3up at 6 furlongs.       Pace  It’s a full field, with more than a few first-time starters, so things figure to be honest up front.      Trends  It looks hot and contested, as there are several who want to be on or just off the early lead, which means this could fall apart late.      Best Play  #4 MODERN SOUND (3-1): Stretch runner was OK running two turns on turf…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/13/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 10   Race overview A full field but a relatively modest MSW for 3up at 6½ furlongs.   Pace It’s a full field, with more than a few first-time starters, so things figure to be honest up front. Trends N/A Best Play #11 C’S TODAY (9-2): Medina runner was a big 2nd in his Ellis debut for a barn that rarely cranks them, in what was a very fast race for the level as well, so against a modest group, with some tactical speed, he looks primed. Bet Types Aggressive WP…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/12/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 10   Race overview A seemingly modest renewal of the G3 Iroquois for 2yos at 1-mile.   Pace It looks honest, and potentially hot and contested, as there are several who want to be close early, and who are stretching out too. Trends N/A Best Play #1 CARIBBEAN LIFE (6-1): Ellis debut winner impressed visually for Walden and now gets Prat, should be able to settle slightly off the expected hot pace, is bred to love the added ground, and meets just one (#7) that he should fear. Bet Types Aggressive…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/11/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 3 Race overview A very weak N2L for 2yo fillies at 6 furlongs. Pace There really isn’t much here, so tactical speed should be important, as this figures to be a  tight group that will sprint off the far turn. Trends N/A Best Play #3 NEVER A DOUBT (9-5): Wire-to-wire GP debut winner was into tough at Ellis in the stake but is with friends here, and with her speed, blinkers going on, and Saez riding, she should be in front. Bet Types Aggressive WP bet, and single in the early…

    Date  9/10/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs        Race number  7       Race overview  A solid OC 80k/N2X for 3up at 1-mile on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as the three inside runners all want to be close, though it’s unlikely they will be going too hot early.      Trends  N/A      Best Play  #2 BOLD STRENGTH (7-5): Local winner may have been a bit outclassed when he dueled and tired at Sar, but this is a much easier crew today, his sprint speed will have him close throughout on the stretchout, and he meets several…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/9/26      Featured track  Kentucky Downs        Race number  6       Race overview  An extremely weak MSW for fm3up at 6 ½ furlongs.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as there’s more than a few on the outside who want to be close, and will have to go from tough draws.       Trends  N/A      Best Play  #2 EAT HAY RUN (5-2): Tactical sort drew well and has a staling gear to sit off the pace, brings two-turn foundation, and just seems better than what is a very weak…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/7/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 3   Race overview A deep and competitive OC 80k/C or 3up at 6 furlongs.   Pace It looks relatively tepid, for this class and level, so tactical speed seems necessary. Trends A fast main track has played fair this week, as it has for the majority of the meet. Best Play #8 LITTLE THUNDER (5-2): Invader hasn’t been out since February at Tampa but lures JV for this return, in what is a very noteworthy spot to come back in, and his speed should have him on or just off the…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/6/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 8   Race overview An extremely weak 20k conditioned claimer for 3up at 1-mile.   Pace There’s really none here, with the exception of #1 TACTICALITY (E), who looks loose as can be on a stiff drop. Trends A fast main track has played fair this week, as it has for the majority of the meet. Best Play #1 TACTICALITY (E): Huge class dropper starts for Brown and Franco, who are both looking for meet titles, so this looks like a potential giveaway to add to their total, not to mention this…