Handicapping Articles

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,…

Happy Belmont Oaks Invitational Day!  Strong card at the Spa with three graded stakes co-headlined by the Grade I Belmont Oaks Invitational and Grade III Kelso.   Trivia question: Which horse has won “Horse of the Year” honors the most times?  Race 10 – The Kelso Stakes – Grade III  One Mile on the Inner Turf for Four Year Olds and Up  Neat: In the Dinner Party on Preakness Day, he faltered and was eased. Looks to regain his three year old form when he won both the Manila and Hall of Fame Stakes. The mile should suit – but he has been off the boil for a while…