Handicapping Articles

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/8/25      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  4       Race overview  An extremely weak 30k MCL for 2yos at the short stretch finish line of 1 1/16 miles on the main track.       Pace  There’s none here to keep #7 TINGUS PINGUS (5-2) from being in front, especially since several others are deep one-run closers.      Trends  The main track played very fair Opening Weekend, with winners coming from everywhere.      Best Play  #7 TINGUS PINGUS (5-2): Expected speed/pace player tired in his main track debut at…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 10/5/25 Featured track Keeneland Race number 7   Race overview A solid MSW for 2yo fillies at 6 furlongs.   Pace It should be honest, as there are a slew of first-time starters, as well as a few proven runners who want to be close early. Trends N/A Best Play #4 PAIGE TURNER (4-1): DeVaux charge was a strong 2nd on debut at Saratoga for a barn that never cranks them, and this 350k daughter of Army Mule—who stands for just 20k—was bet that day (6-1), so she’s well-liked, and therefore she figures primed here. Bet Types…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/4/25      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  10       Race overview  A wildly deep and competitive renewal of the G1 Coolmore Turf Mile on the turf.       Pace  It looks honest and contested, and potentially even hot, as more than a few, including a pair on the inside, want to be involved early.      Trends  N/A      Best Play  #5 WOODSHAUNA (5-1): Rapidly improving Euro 3yo won a G1 against his own two-back but ran a big 3rd after blowing the start when facing older, oozes class,…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/3/25      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  8       Race overview  An extremely subpar renewal of the G2 Jessamine for 2yo fillies at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.       Pace  It’s a full field, with many who have shown speed in the past, so things figure honest and potentially fast and competitive up front.      Trends  N/A      Best Play  #12 TIME TO DREAM (2-1) (turf only): Pletcher charge enters undefeated and untested after two easy Saratoga wins, including the PG Johnson, has a stalking style…

Happy Champagne Day!  Four graded stakes at the Big A today led by two Grade 1s – the Frizette and the Champagne. Both are “win and you’re in” races for their respective Breeders’ Cup divisions.   Trivia Question: The Frizette and Champagne are the last Grade Is contested on the NYRA circuit for the year. What was the first Grade I run in New York this year ?  Race 6 The Frizette – Grade 1  One Mile On The Dirt for Two Year Old Fillies  Jetty’s Home: Still a maiden after three starts as she finished second in a restricted maiden last out where she hung a bit when…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/28/25 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 6   Race overview An uninspiring 30k MCL for 3up at 7 furlongs.   Pace It’s a big field of 10, so things should be honest up front, as there are more than a few who want to be close early. Trends A fast and drying out track was very fair Thursday night, and a fast main track was the same Friday. Best Play #9 HEPHEPCUTDOWNNETS (7-2): Del Mar invader starts for a Hess barn that has enjoyed plenty of success this year at CD, was facing better out west,…

Happy Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Day!  Fantastic card at the Big A today with five graded stakes races headlined by the Grade I Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. The Joe Hirsch has only five entries plus two MTOs, but it’s a very strong field that includes the defending champion (Far Bridge), the winners of the Sword Dancer (El Cordobes) and the United Nations (Redistricting) along with the two time Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Rebel’s Romance.  Trivia Question: Which track hosted the initial running of the Woodward Stakes?  Race 5 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic – Grade I  One Mile and One Half on the Inner Turf for Three Year Olds…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/27/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  1       Race overview  A watered down restricted MSW for 3up at 6 furlongs.       Pace  It could potentially fast, even with a short field, as there is fresh speed from #3, and #5 really wants to motor early.      Trends  a muddy main track played towards speedy types Wednesday, while a fast, drying out track was very fair Thursday night.      Best Play  #2 SHELLAC (4-1): Arguably the worst ML of the meet (which has been filled with…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/26/25 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 8   Race overview A modest 80k N2L claimer for 3up at 1-mile on the main track.   Pace It looks honest, as #3 wants to be in front, and #2 just wired to break his maiden, so he should be forwardly placed too. Trends A fast main track continued to play very fair throughout the week, with winners coming from everywhere. Best Play #1 ESCALATION CLAUSE (9-2): Former Brown runner is now with a Delaware Park-based Compton barn that is 20% on the year, and the fact he ships…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/25/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  2       Race overview  An extremely weak 16k claimer for fm3up at 6 ½ furlongs.        Pace  It looks honest enough, as there are more than a few who want to be on the lead or pressing things early.      Trends  A fast main track continued to play very fair throughout the week, with winners coming from everywhere.      Best Play  #7 JUST AN OPINION (5-2): Well-drawn runner has been facing better, drew perfectly, lays over these on paper,…