Handicapping Articles

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/1/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  7       Race overview  A deep and competitive 25k starter-allowance for 4up at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.       Pace  There’s not much here, so expect things to be slow early and turn into a sprint off the far turn.      Trends  The main track sped up considerably on Wednesday-Friday, as it was extremely difficult to pass, but things tempered dramatically on Saturday and Sunday, so pay close attention early in the week.      Best Play  #3 ON A SPREE (2-1):…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/31/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  4       Race overview  A solid NYB N1X for 4up going 1 1/8 miles on the main track.       Pace  Very few of these figure to appreciate the trip, so things should be on the slow side early, at a distance that routinely caters to speed.      Trends  The main track sped up considerably on Wednesday-Friday, as it was extremely difficult to pass, but things tempered dramatically on Saturday and Sunday, so pay close attention early in the week.      Best Play  #5…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/28/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  8       Race overview  A well above average 14k N3L for 3up at 6Fs on the main track.       Pace  It’s a full field in a dirt sprint, so things should be honest, and potentially contested up front, as more than a few would like that position early on.      Trends  The main track sped up considerably on Wednesday-Friday, as it was extremely difficult to pass, and favoring inside runners (on Friday) as well.      Best Play  #4 FOR SOME REASON (4-1):…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/27/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  An extremely deep and competitive 25k claimer for 4up going 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  It doesn’t look overly hot early, as there are no true burners, so having tactical speed, at the vey least (see below), is preferred.      Trends  The main track sped up considerably on Wednesday and Thursday, as it was extremely difficult to pass.      Best Play  #1a AMUNDSON (3-1): Streaking runner has won three straight and took his game to another…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/26/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  2       Race overview  A very modest NYB 40k MCL for 3upfm at 5 ½ Fs on the Mellon Turf.       Pace  For a turf sprint, it looks pretty average, which should allow #1 GENEROUS LUVA (7-2) to make the front, and hopefully hold on.      Trends  N/A      Best Play  #1 GENEROUS LUVA (7-2) (turf only): Lightly-raced miss adds Lasix and blinkers to an already speedy package, doesn’t meet much, adds Irad, and takes the biggest drop in all of racing.   …

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/25/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  8       Race overview  A relatively modest NYB N1X for 3upfm at 6Fs on the main track.       Pace  There’s a ton here, as more than a few want to motor early, which suggests this come fall apart in the lane.      Trends  The main track has been fair, though speed (as always) is preferred, and it did seem a bit more inside, especially over the weekend.      Best Play  #8 DOLOMITE (8-5): Brown returnee hasn’t been out since a solid 3rd in…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/24/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  4       Race overview  An extremely weak 30k MCL for NYB 3up going 1-mile on the main track.       Pace  There’s little to none here, as this is filled with deep closers, which should only flatter the chances of #1 BIG EGO (6-5), who should be up close throughout.      Trends  The main track has been fair, though speed (as always) is preferred, and it did seem a bit more inside, especially over the weekend.      Best Play  #1 BIG EGO (6-5):…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/21/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  9       Race overview  A predictably deep and competitive Saratoga MSW for 2yofs going 6Fs on the main track.       Pace  There should be plenty here, as there are more than a few precocious types entered.      Trends  The main track seemed to play fair Opening Week, though with heavy rains hitting earlier this week, make sure to give Wednesday’s results a look.      Best Play  #1 KISS ME SLOW (3-1): Brown firster is a homebred for Viola with a strong pedigree…

Happy Coaching Club American Oaks Day!  The three year old filly division might be wrapped up today if Thorpedo Anna recreates her dominate Acorn and Kentucky Oaks performances. If she does win the question becomes does she run in the Alabama or does she take a shot in the Travers.  McPeek pulled off something similar with Swiss Skydiver in the Preakness. It’s heady stuff, but she needs to win here first.   Trivia question: Which trainer has won the most Coaching Club American Oaks?  Race 10 – The Lake George – Grade III  One Mile on the Inner Turf Course For Three Years Old Fillies  Gavea: In her only…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/20/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  8       Race overview  A predictably deep and competitive Saratoga AOC for 3up going 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  There’s plenty here, especially from the inside, so having a rating gear seems a very handy asset.      Trends  The main track seemed to play fair Opening Week, though with heavy rains hitting earlier this week, make sure to give Wednesday’s results a look.      Best Play  #7 ARRO SMASH (4-1): CD invader got his seasonal debut in in May, now…