Handicapping Articles

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 8/21/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 9   Race overview A very solid renewal of the 200k Fleet Indian for NYB 3yo fillies at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.   Pace There’s a ton here, and comes from several who have been running at one-turn, so things should be hot and contested early, which suggests this could fall apart late at such a demanding distance. Trends A fast main track has been fair throughout the meet, with winners coming from everywhere, including several from off-the-pace. Best Play #4 IRON ORCHARD (3-1): Stalker has run just once…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 8/20/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 6 Race overview A very weak NYB 45K/N2X for fm3up at 1-mile on the main track. Pace It looks honest enough, as there are a trio who want to be on or just off the early pace. Trends A fast main track has been fair throughout the meet, with winners coming from everywhere, including several from off-the-pace. Best Play #2 VALTELLINA (E): Low hanging fruit here, but this filly has been running in 1 1/8-mile stakes races, including a pair of graded events, so she not only brings a ton of class…

    PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 8/19/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 7   Race overview An extremely meek renewal of the 150k Statue of Liberty for NYB 3yo fillies at 1-mile on the inner turf.   Pace It looks on the slower side of honest, as there are no true speedsters, but there are several who want to be close early. Trends A firm turf course has played fair throughout the meet, with winners coming from all over, but tactical speed is always going to be an advantage with the tighter turns of the inner course. Best Play #7 SHE’S COUNTRY (2-1) (turf…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 8/16/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 10   Race overview A deep and competitive 16k claimer for 4up at 6 ½ furlongs.   Pace It looks honest, and potentially hot and contested, as there are more than a few with outside draws that want to motor early. Trends All bets are off after a muddy main track Saturday, so check the charts to see how it played, and obviously the weather/track condition on race day as well. Best Play #4 FARM TEAM (6-1): Huge class dropper goes for a Kantarmaci barn that has had a solid meet with…

Happy Christophe Clement Turf Stakes Day! Very competitive Christophe Clement Turf with a field that includes the top three finishers from the Bowling Green, the winner of the United Nations along with several quality Euros including a mare who just won the Glens Falls two weeks ago. None of the seven entrants were off the board in their most recent start – all of which were against graded stakes company. Trivia Question: The Sword Dancer, now the Christophe Clement, has been contested since 1975. Which trainer has the most wins in this Grade I? Race 9  The Christophe Clement Turf  Stakes – Grade I One Mile and a…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 8/15/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 10   Race overview A deep and competitive renewal of the 200k Galway for 3yo fillies at 5 ½ furlongs on the Mellon Turf Course.   Pace It looks potentially supersonic, as there are more than a few who want to roll early, which suggests this could fall apart in the lane. Trends The turf has been fair throughout the meet, and has seen plenty of off-the-pace winners, though monitor the weather/course condition, after there were rains earlier in the week. Best Play #5 CADENZA (7-2) (turf only): Stalker didn’t handle the…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/14/26      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  8       Race overview  An extremely strong OC80K/N2X for 3up at 7 furlongs.       Pace  It looks hot, as more than a few want to motor early, which suggest they could come back in the lane at this demanding distance.      Trends  The main track continues to play fair, and even had a bit of an off-the-pace feel to it over the weekend.      Best Play  #5 ELIMINATE (9-2): Rice charge ran huge winning for fun off-the-claim and off-the-pace at BAQ,…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/13/26      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  5       Race overview  A meek 20k n3l for fm3up at 6 furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as more than a few want to be close and contesting things early on.      Trends  The main track continues to play fair, and even had a bit of an off-the-pace feel to it over the weekend.      Best Play  #3 VEKOMANCER (2-1): Stiff class dropper ran relatively well in two turf starts against much better, and was…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/12/26      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  4       Race overview  A strong 45k claimer for 4up at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It should be hot, as #1 Mischievous M (4-1) is going, and, provided he breaks, #8 Trust Issues (15-1) is too, which suggests this could land in the lap of a stalker/close in the lane at this tricky distance.      Trends  The main track continues to play fair, and even had a bit of an off-the-pace feel to it over the weekend.      Best Play  #5 INEXORABLE (5-2): Stiff class dropper was…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/9/26      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  7       Race overview  A strong 85k MCL for fm3up at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It looks on the tepid side, with just #1 Immaculate Moon (5-2), wanting to go early, so being able to lay close is key.      Trends  A fast main track seemed a bit forward Wednesday and Thursday, but nothing too out of the ordinary.      Best Play  #5 ROSE TO RICHES (3-1): Brown filly woke up on the switch to dirt off a long…