Handicapping Articles

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/6/25      Featured track  Kentucky Downs       Race number  12       Race overview  A seemingly very weak MSW for 2yos at 1-mile.       Pace  On paper, it looks like #4 SHE’S ON A ROLL (6-1) can control things on the stretchout, which might be all she needs for a breakthrough.      Trends  The rails are (apparently) coming down for the big Saturday card, which means fresh and firm ground on the inside, and in turn, means those inside paths could be a paved highway for speed.      Best…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/4/25      Featured track  Kentucky Downs       Race number  7       Race overview  A modest (for the track/condition) AOC for fm3up at 1-mile.       Pace  It looks honest, as there are a few who want to be close, though they won’t be going too quickly, so tactical speed seems a must.      Trends  Last year it was all speed all the time, but things have tempered this year, and with the rails at 25’, it should be a level playing field.      Best Play  #9 MALLEYMOO (7-2): Brown…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/31/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  11       Race overview  An extremely soft 30k MCL for 3up NYBs at 6 furlongs.       Pace  There’s not much here on paper, so expect a bunched group early, while placing a premium on tactical speed.      Trends  A fast main track played very fair Thursday and Friday, with winners coming from everywhere, including several from off-the-pace.       Best Play  #3 ROUT (2-1): MSW dropper was a decent 4th on turf in his debut, is bred top and bottom for…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/30/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  A deep and competitive AOC for 3up NYB at 6 ½ furlongs.       Pace  There’s a ton here, as several want to be involved early and often, so anyone with a rating gear should be elevated.      Trends  A fast main track played very fair over Travers Weekend, as winners came from everywhere, including a few out of the back too.       Best Play  #7 FACTUALLY CORRECT (6-1): One of the few stalkers in the field…

Happy Spinaway Day!  Nice card for the last Saturday of the meet with three graded stakes headlined by the Flower Bowl and Spinaway as the fillies and mares take top billing. Both top stakes races are wide open and are very good betting affairs.  Trivia Question: What is the oldest stakes race in North America for two year old fillies?  Race 10 – The Flower Bowl – Grade 2  One Mile And Three Furlongs On The Inner Turf   For Fillies and Mares Four Years Old And Upward  Marksman Queen: Has set the pace in multiple marathon turf races and if she gets away with a soft pace she…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/29/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  6       Race overview  An extremely deep and competitive 17.5k N3L for fm3up at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest, as more than a few here want to be close early on, especially a pair that’s drawn out wide.      Trends  A fast main track played very fair over Travers Weekend, as winners came from everywhere, including a few out of the back too.       Best Play  #8 SAILAWAY (5-1): Rice claim (20%) cuts…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/28/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  A strong 30k N2L for 3up at 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest, as more than a few here want to be close early on.      Trends  A fast main track played very fair over Travers Weekend, as winners came from everywhere, including a few out of the back too.       Best Play  #3 BLOWN COVER (5-1): Class dropper also gets back the main track and one-turn after a turf route no-show,…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/27/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  2       Race overview  An extremely weak renewal of the Funny Cide for 2yo NYBs at 6Fs.       Pace  It looks honest, as #2 Toga Twist (1-1) will be going, and stablemate and first-time starter #3 Fourth and One (8-5) is likely fast as well, and #5 Minorinconvenience (5-2) pressed in his last.      Trends  A fast main track played very fair over Travers Weekend, as winners came from everywhere, including a few out of the back too.       Best…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/24/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  6       Race overview  A solid N1X for 3up at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest, as there are a trio, including favored #1 Fort Nelson (2-1) who want to be involved.      Trends  A fast main track figures to play to speed, though check the weather, as the forecast is potentially ominous.       Best Play  #1 FORT NELSON (2-1): Mott charge and Godolphin blueblood was a game comeback winner off an eight-month layoff…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/23/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  11       Race overview  A deep and competitive renewal of the G1 Ballerina for fm3up at 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest, but not overly heated up front, so coming from too far off-the-pace may be difficult.      Trends  Rains left the main track sloppy Wednesday, but it was back to fast Thursday, so check the charts for the first two days.      Best Play  #9 HOPE ROAD (3-1): Baffert invader comes in fresh for a…