Handicapping Articles

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 10/2/26 Featured track Keeneland Race number 7 Race overview A relatively modest renewal of the G2 Phoenix, for 3up at 6Fs. Pace It looks hot and contested and potentially supersonic, as there are a slew who want to roll early, which suggests this could fall apart late. Trends N/A Best Play #8 HYMM (4-1): G1 Forego winner pressed then grinded it out at 7Fs for his win at the Spa but has run well at 6Fs as well, and with all the heat up front, he’ll be a bit farther back today, which should allow him to sit…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/27/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 9 Race overview A soldi 50k starter-allowance for 3up at 1 1/16 miles. Pace There’s none here whatsoever, so this could play like a turf ran, in that they’ll be a tight pack while going slow early, and things will turn into a sprint off the far turn. Trends A fast main track continued to play fair Wednesday-Friday, with winners coming from all over, including several from off-the-pace. Best Play #3 SOUTH BEND TOWN (7-2): Sprinter finally stretches back out into a pedigree that is two turns top-and-bottom, which should have…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/26/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 6   Race overview A strong N1X for fm3up at 1 1/16 miles.   Pace It figures on the slow side, as there are no burners signed on, so expect a tight pack that will sprint off the far turn. Trends A fast main track continued to play fair over the week, with winners coming from all over, including several from off-the-pace. Best Play #3 COUPLET (9-5): Lightly-raced daughter of Gun Runner looked good breaking her maiden an now stretches to two turns, with a pedigree to love the trip, and…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/25/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 4   Race overview A deep and competitive 100k MCL for 3up at 6 furlongs.   Pace It’s going to be honest, as there are several towards the inside who want to be forward, and comebacking MSW dropper #10 QUENTIN B (7-2) who just may be faster than all of them. Trends A fast main track continued to play fair over the week, with winners coming from all over, including several from off-the-pace. Best Play #10 QUENTIN B (7-2): Romans returnee was supposed to be a good one at GP but…

9.24.26 Churchill Downs Race number 6   Race overview A competitive OC 100k/N3X for 3up at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.   Pace It looks contested and potentially hot, as more than a few want to be on the lead early on, at what can be a very demanding distance. Trends N/A Best Play #6 PIERRE (7-2) (turf only): Stalker was hardly embarrassed in the G1 Woodbine Mile and now gets to put Lasix back on, just-missed two-back at Sar, and has a running style to take advantage of the expected contested pace. Bet Types Aggressive WP bet, and single in the late Pk5/Pk4 as well. Play…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/23/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs        Race number  6       Race overview  A conditioned 50k N3L claimer for fm3up at 6 furlongs.       Pace  It looks honest, as there are a pair (#2 and #3) who want to go, which should secure a stalking trip for #4 JUST DO BELIEVE (7-2).      Trends  A fast main track continued to play fair over the week, with winners coming from all over, including several from off-the-pace.      Best Play  #4 JUST DO BELIEVE (7-2): Ct invader has won three straight…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/20/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs        Race number  10       Race overview  A relatively modest restricted MSW for 2yo fillies at 1-mile.       Pace  It’s a full field with several stretching out, so expect things to be honest, and potentially contested, early on.      Trends  The main track was fair Opening Week, with winners employing all running styles.      Best Play  #3 THE FINAL SECRET (3-1): Pace player chased early then dueled before tiring when a distant 2nd in her debut at Ellis while beating a next-out winner,…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/19/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 6 Race overview A compact but solid group of six for the 300k Harrods Creek, for 3yos at 7 furlongs. Pace The graded stakes speed of #2 AMERICAN MAN (9-5) should allow him to dictate things on the front end. Trends The main track was fair Opening Week, with winners employing all running styles. Best Play #2 AMERICAN MAN (9-5): Speedster will be in front here and won’t face too much pressure from the outside, and the drop in class from a pair of graded stakes figures too much for there.…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 9/18/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 5   Race overview A solid 20k conditioned claimer for fm3up at 1-mile.   Pace There’s little to none here, so tactical speed seems at a premium, as this should be a tight pack that will sprint off the far turn. Trends The main track was fair Opening Week, with winners employing all running styles. Best Play #3 FINAL SHIPMAN (3-1): Stalker will be close early with such a decided lack of pace signed on, and her consistent form should play here, against a group there for the taking. Bet Types…