Race of the Day

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/7/24      Featured track  Ky Downs      Race number  4       Race overview  A seemingly very modest MSW for 2yos at 1-mile.       Pace  On paper there’s really none here, so expect a tight group and a sprint off the far turn, and into the long stretch.      Trends  The turf has been relatively speedy during the early days of the meet, though obviously on an undulating course like this, it’s as much about a horse handling the surface than anything else.      Best Play  #9 COURAGEOUS CLAY (3-1): Tactical…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/2/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  6       Race overview  A seemingly modest 2yo NYB MSW at 7Fs.       Pace  It figures to be honest, as there are a slew of first-time starters entered, many of which could be a bit keyed up out of the gate.       Trends  The main track definitely had a more tempered, fair feel to it this week, as horses were coming from everywhere, including closers on the outside/in the middle of the track.      Best Play  #3 OMAHA PISTOL (3-1): Englehart firster…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/1/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  An deep and competitive N1X for 3up at 5 ½ Fs on the Mellon turf.       Pace  It’s a turf sprint, so things should be hot and contested up front, as several entered want to be involved early.      Trends  There’s really nothing too conclusive to go on, but a firm, fast turf course, tactical speed is never a bad thing.      Best Play  #6 DETERMINED EFFORT (7-2) (turf only): Been waiting for this one to come back…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/31/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  8       Race overview  A potentially loaded MSW for 2yos at 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  It figures to be hot and contested, as there are a slew of well-bred first-time starters coming from top barns, who have all worked well—and several who have worked fast—in the morning.      Trends  A fast main track on Saturday and Sunday played fair, though it’s definitely something to monitor early in Closing Week.      Best Play  #3 TAP INTO THIS (3-1): CD invader…

Happy Flower Bowl Day!  The Flower Bowl features 2021 winner War Like Goddess along with 2023 winner Parnac. In a time where too many horses exit the game quickly, War Like Goddess and her connections should be celebrated. She’s won ten graded stakes during the past four years and has banked over $2.7 million. She’s also taken big shots against the boys including beating the colts in both the 2022 and 2023 renditions of the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. A classy and talented mare who isn’t done yet.  Trivia Question: The Queens MG is attempting to sweep the three graded stakes for two year fillies at Saratoga: the…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/30/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  10       Race overview  A meek 35k N3L for 3up at 1-mile on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest, as more than a few want to be close early, which is usually imperative at this tricky trip.      Trends  A fat main track on Saturday and Sunday played fair, though it’s definitely something to monitor early in Closing Week.      Best Play  #1 CHILENO (6-5): Obviously you’re not getting rich here, but this veteran lays over the field and seems…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/29/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  10       Race overview  An extremely deep and competitive renewal of the G3 With Anticipation for 2yos at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf.       Pace  It could be hot and contested, as now only are there more than a few who have shown speed, but there are also a few stretching out as well, and with a quick run to the first turn, things could be quite energetic up front.      Trends  There’s really nothing too conclusive to go on, but…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/28/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  6       Race overview  A seemingly very modest NYB MSW for 2yofs at 5 ½ Fs on the Mellon turf course.       Pace  There’s definitely some here, but there’s also a chance that #6 THE SUGARS (6-1) is faster than all of them.      Trends  There’s really nothing too conclusive to go on, but a firm, fast turf course, especially at this distance, is going to cater to speed more often than not.      Best Play  #6 THE SUGARS (6-1) (turf only): Speedster…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/25/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  A compact AOC for NYBs 3up at 7Fs on the main track.        Pace  There’s basically none here, so expect a tight pack that will sprint off the far turn.      Trends  There’s not much to go on, as the track has been in and out, condition-wise, on a daily basis, so continue to monitor the weather and how things are playing early on the card/in the week.      Best Play  #3 BOURBON CHASE (2-1): Maker returnee has…

Happy Travers Day!  This is an excellent renewal of the Mid-Summer Derby. We have four Grade I winners in the field – Dornach, Fierceness, Sierra Leone along with the filly Thorpedo Anna. She will attempt to become the first filly since 1915 to win the Travers – Lady Rotha won it via DQ that year.  The Sword Dancer comes up a bit short, but that’s a comment on the state of the older male turf division as much as anything. It does include two excellent Godolphin runners – Measured Time and Silver Knott. If they were coupled they would be 2/5 against this group.   Trivia Question:  Who was…