Handicapping

    “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.  …

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/6/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  A relatively modest, albeit competitive, AOC for fm3up at 1 ½ miles on the inner turf.       Pace  It’s a marathon on the turf, with no real speed on paper, so they’ll crawl early and sprint off the far turn.      Trends  N/A      Best Play  #5 MIWA (5-2) (turf only): Pletcher charge makes the often key third start of her form cycle and for her new barn, plummets after being in over her head in the…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/5/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  9       Race overview  An extremely strong NYB AOC/N2X for 3up at 7Fs on the main.       Pace  It looks extremely hot and contested, as there are more than a few who want to be involved early and often.      Trends  N/A      Best Play  #4 I’M WIDE AWAKE (3-1): Class riser moved to the Norm Casse barn and demolished a N1X field here last month, while showing the ability to press the pace and not get caught in a duel,…