Handicapping Articles

PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 5/17/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 8   Race overview A very strong OC (80k)/N2X for fm3up at 7 furlongs.   Pace There’s none here that should be a bother to #2 ME AND MOLLY MCGEE (5-2), who has shown high sprint speed in her career. Trends The main track continued to play on the fair side during the first to racing days of the week, with winners coming from everywhere. Best Play #2 ME AND MOLLY MCGEE (5-2): Stiff class dropper has been freshened since a good 2nd in an SA G2, is the controlling speed, and simply…

 Happy Preakness Day! The Preakness is being run at Laurel Park this year while Old Hilltop is being rebuilt. The plan is then to consolidate Marlyand racing at Pimlico and Laurel will become a full-time training facility pending action by the Maryland State Legislature. Trivia Question: The Preakness is Maryland’s race but it was run in New York at one point. Where and when was the Preakness contested in New York State? Race 10 – The Dinner Party Grade III One Mile and One Furlong on the Turf for Three Year Olds and Upward What Say Thee: Eight year old runs here off a win in an allowance…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 5/16/26 Featured track Laurel Park Race number 9   Race overview A modest renewal of the 100k James W. Murphy for 3yos at 1-mile on the turf.   Pace It looks honest enough, as there’s a longshot sprinter (#7) stretching out who figures to go, and more than a few others who want to be close early on. Trends N/A Best Play #3 ZIHNAL (6-1) (turf or dirt) SA invader ran a ridiculously fast figure in his debut going a two-turn mile on the main track (against older horses too), is out of a serious G2 turf winning…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 5/15/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 7   Race overview A very weak 12.5 starter-allowance for fm4up at 6 furlongs.   Pace It looks honest but not overly heated, as several want to be close, but there are no true burners signed on either. Trends The main track seemed to be slightly on the speedy side, though nothing too out of the ordinary. Best Play #2 POP ROX (6-5): GP invader goes for D’Angelo and Dubb, who have partnered to do some good things over the past yeyar, and this miss enters fresh, has won four in…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 5/14/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 4   Race overview A seemingly modest (on paper) MSW for 2yos at 5 furlongs.   Pace It’s a full field of (mostly) first-time starters, so things figure honest on the front end. Trends The main track seemed to be slightly on the speedy side, though nothing too out of the ordinary. Best Play #6 CUT THROAT (3-1): Rivelli firster (27%) comes in from Hawthorne with bullets for his unveiling, for a barn that routinely invades to win a few of these every year, and this son for freshman sire Cyberknife—who…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 5/10/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 6   Race overview A solid bottom-level 12.5k MCL for 3up at 7Fs on the main track.   Pace It’s a full field and looks honest enough, as there are more than a few who want to be close and/or involved throughout. Trends The main track seemed to be slightly on the speedy side the first two days of the week, though nothing too out of the ordinary. Best Play #5 RICHEZTOO (5-1): Pace player was a strong 2nd at the level with a “big” figure, now meets a few who…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 5/9/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 4 Race overview A strong 40k claimer for 4up at 1-mile on the main track. Pace There’s absolutely none here except 6 I DON’T GET IT (9-5), who looks as loose as can be on the front end. Trends Derby Week seemed to produce a fair main track, with horses coming from everywhere, and using all running styles. Best Play #6 I DON’T GET IT (9-5): The speed has been freshened since an easy 35k win at GP, so it’s a confident move he rises slightly for his return, he lures…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 5/8/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 3   Race overview A solid 16k conditioned claimer for 3up at 7 furlongs.   Pace It should be honest enough up front, as both inside runners want to be on the lead early, and this is a demanding distance as well. Trends Derby Week seemed to produce a fair main track, with horses coming from everywhere, and using all running styles. Best Play #5 GALLO DE FUEGO (4-1): Florida invader goes for a very sharp and shrewd team of Gallegos and Amaty, ran well against better in both starts this…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 5/7/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 2 Race overview A solid 25k claimer for 4up at 1-mile on the main track. Pace There’s not much here, at this is a trip that can be tough to make up ground, so tactical speed should be at a premium. Trends Derby Week seemed to produce a fair main track, with horses coming from everywhere, and using all running styles. Best Play #6 DE’ MEDICI (2-1): Tactical runner aired at this trip here in November and will now run on the main for the first time, and has a huge flow…

Happy Derby Day! We have a very competitive renewal of the Kentucky Derby as evidenced by a lukewarm 4-1 ML favorite (Renegade). Frankly, a win by half of this field would not be that big of a surprise. Trivia Question: Why is the Derby called “The Run for the Roses”? Race 11 The Turf Classic – Grade I One Mile and One Furlong on the Turf for Four Year Olds and Upward         Corruption: Runs here after a second in the Pan American where he was collared late by Far Bridge (for the second year in a row) and earned a 97 Beyer. Might see a similar trip today,…