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    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/25/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  1       Race overview  A very meek bottom-level 12.5k claimer for fm3up at 6Fs.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as a pair of longshots on the inside want to be part of the pace early on.      Trends  The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it on Saturday and Sunday.      Best Play  #4 IMMINENT RISK (3-1): Turf-to-dirt runner is bred top and bottom for the main track, also goes second-off a long layoff, drops stiffly…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/24/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  5       Race overview  A predictably deep and competitive 50k claimer for 3up at 7Fs.       Pace  It looks honest, and potentially a bit heated, as more than a few want to be involved from the start.      Trends  The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it on Saturday and Sunday.      Best Play  #4 BANNED FOR LIFE (9-5): Sharp runner tried tougher on turf off-the-claim, which didn’t work, but he’s now back…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/21/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  5       Race overview  A modest 30k starter-allowance for 3up at 1 1/16 miles.       Pace  It looks honest and potentially crowded, as more than a few want to be involved early and often.      Trends  The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it over the weekend.      Best Play  #8 LAUGHNOWCRYLATER (2-1): Expected stalker was facing better when last seen in November, has trained forwardly for this, drew perfectly, and should sit the…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/20/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 3   Race overview A very solid restricted MSW for fm3up at 7 ½ furlongs.   Pace It’s a full field, with more than a few who want to be close early, so things look honest up front. Trends The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it over the weekend. Best Play #4 PASSIONFRUIT (4-1): Stretch runner closed nicely to be 2nd in her debut, figures a little tighter early on off that experience builder, and has as much upside…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/18/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  6       Race overview  A very weak 12.5k MCL for 3up at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.       Pace  There’s not much here at all, so expect things to be slow early, and turn into a sprint off the far turn.      Trends  The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it over the weekend.      Best Play  #8 BOTH SIDES OF BAD (2-1): Stiff class dropper has been doing the turf…

    ​“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/17/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  5       Race overview  A deep and competitive 50k starter-allowance for 4up at 7 Fs.       Pace  It looks honest, as there are a few who want to be close early, but it doesn’t look overly fast either, so being able to lay close is an asset.       Trends  The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it over the weekend.      Best Play  #8 TARANTINO (9-2): Jacobson runner cuts…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/14/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 2   Race overview A modest marathon MSW for fm3up at 1 ½ miles on the turf.   Pace They’re going longggg here, so expect things to crawl early and pick up entering the far turn, and turn into a sprint from there. Trends They don’t run enough turf races here for there to be a true course profile, but overall things seem to play fair to all styles. Best Play #2 ELIDA’S ANGEL (5-2) (turf only): DeVaux filly was a closing 4th at 1 1/8 miles in her debut, where…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/13/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 8 Race overview A deep and competitive 62.5k claimer for 4up at 7 ½ furlongs. Pace It looks on the tepid side, as there are no confirmed front runners signed on, so expect a tight pack that will sprint off the far turn. Trends The main track continued to play on the fair side for the first two days of the week, with winners coming from everywhere. Best Play #9 ZAMBEZI (8-5): Maker charge has been in good form in three starts off-the-claim without winning, but he romped (in the slop)…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/11/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  8       Race overview  A relatively modest (on paper) MSW for fm4up at 1-mile on turf.       Pace  There’s a trio on the inside that want to be on or just off the early lead, so things look honest, and potentially competitive, up front.      Trends  They don’t run enough turf races here for there to be a true course profile, but needless to say, it’s a lot fairer than the GP speedy highway that #3 HEDGE BOOK ran over in her career debut.      Best Play  #3 HEDGE BOOK (6-1) (turf only): Been waiting for…