Race of the Day

  “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…

  Happy Jim Dandy Day!  Compact field of five runners in the Jim Dandy led Commandment, who was runner-up in the Belmont and won the Florida Derby along with Renegade who won the Arkansas Derby and was a narrow runner-up in the Kentucky Derby. Too bad we don’t have Derby/Belmont winner Golden Tempo in the field as he will now train up to the Travers following a minor illness.  Trivia Question: The Jim Dandy is currently run at nine furlongs. But that was not always the case. What other distances has it been contested at?    Race 6 The Saratoga Special Stakes – Grade II  Six and One Half Furlongs on the Dirt for Two Year Olds  How’s Al Today:Broke his maiden first out for Riley Mott as this Munnings colt beat a field of eleven and came from mid-pack to get the win (66 Beyer). Saez will have to work out a trip from this inside…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 7/31/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 7   Race overview A deep and competitive OC20k/SAL16k for 4up at 1 1/8 miles.   Pace It looks honest and potentially competitive on paper, as there are more than a few who want to be close and involved early. Trends The main track has played fair, though with all the rain leading to the cancellation Wednesday, all bets are off to start the week. Best Play #6 CALIBRATE (2-1): Diodoro invader won on the turf and dirt at Lone Star, and while this is a big step up, this is not…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 7/30/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 6   Race overview A strong 30k conditioned claimer for 4up at 6 furlongs.   Pace There’s not a lot here, for a main track sprint, so being able to be close early seems to be an advantage. Trends The main track has played fair, though with all the rain leading to the cancellation Wednesday, all bets are off to start the week. Best Play #7 SLIM SLOW SLIDER (10-1): Veteran ran well at CD off-the-claim and now moves to the Padillo-Preciado barn, which is 29% with newcomers (from a 155-horse sample)…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 7/29/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 7   Race overview A solid OC 80k/N2X for fm3up at 1 1/8 miles on the Mellon Turf.   Pace It looks honest enough, as there are a few want o be close throughout, at what can be a demanding distance. Trends Oddly enough, the turf had a very off-the-pace feel this weekend, with stalker/closers prevailing more often than not. Best Play #3 TIME TO DREAM (3-1) (turf only): Pletcher closer gets some much-needed class relief after not being up to par in the 3yof G1/G2 ranks, also gets Lasix—which is huge—and…