Handicapping Articles

    “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…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/29/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  10       Race overview  An awesome renewal of the 250k Maxfield for 3yos at 7Fs.       Pace  There’s a ton here, as more than a few want to motor early, so a stalking/closing style could play in a race that may fall apart late.      Trends  The track continues to play fair, with winners coming from all over, though a drying out main track can play to outside stalker/closers.      Best Play  #2 CAPTAIN COOK (9-2): NY invader couldn’t quite…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/28/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  9       Race overview  A stellar renewal of the G3 Kelly’s Landing for 3yo at 6 ½ Fs.       Pace  They’ll be humming along early, as more than a few want to be on or just off the early lead.      Trends  The track continues to play fair, with winners coming from all over, though a drying out main track can play to outside stalker/closers.      Best Play  #1 DR. VENKMAN (5-2): G2 winner was a strong 2nd behind the…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/27/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  4       Race overview  A strong 20k claimer for fm4up at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest and potentially crowded, as more than a few want to be close and/or involved early on.      Trends  The track continues to play fair, with winners coming from all over, though a drying out main track can play to outside stalker/closers.      Best Play  #7 DEMI (5-2): Hartman claim (22%) has a huge closing kick, which should…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/26/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  5       Race overview  An extremely deep and competitive 40k claimer for 4up at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.       Pace  It looks hot and contested, as more than a few want to be involved early on.      Trends  The track continues to play fair, with winners coming from all over, though a drying out main track can play to outside stalker/closers.      Best Play  #1 DEAN MARTINI (7-2): Veteran used to be a speedster but has developed…