Handicapping Articles

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 7/30/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 6   Race overview A strong 30k conditioned claimer for 4up at 6 furlongs.   Pace There’s not a lot here, for a main track sprint, so being able to be close early seems to be an advantage. Trends The main track has played fair, though with all the rain leading to the cancellation Wednesday, all bets are off to start the week. Best Play #7 SLIM SLOW SLIDER (10-1): Veteran ran well at CD off-the-claim and now moves to the Padillo-Preciado barn, which is 29% with newcomers (from a 155-horse sample)…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 7/29/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 7   Race overview A solid OC 80k/N2X for fm3up at 1 1/8 miles on the Mellon Turf.   Pace It looks honest enough, as there are a few want o be close throughout, at what can be a demanding distance. Trends Oddly enough, the turf had a very off-the-pace feel this weekend, with stalker/closers prevailing more often than not. Best Play #3 TIME TO DREAM (3-1) (turf only): Pletcher closer gets some much-needed class relief after not being up to par in the 3yof G1/G2 ranks, also gets Lasix—which is huge—and…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 7/26/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 9   Race overview A stakes-caliber OC 110k/C for 4up at 6 ½ furlongs.   Pace It looks extremely hot and contested, as more than a few want to fly early, so at a tricky distance, this could fall apart in the lane. Trends The main track has been consistent throughout the meet, with winners coming from everywhere. Best Play #2 BRINGS THE SMOKE (8-1): Stalker is a G3 winner who wants to beat you, has a stalking gear to sit off the expected hot pace, and will once again offer plenty…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/25/26      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  10       Race overview  A solid renewal of the G1 Coaching Club American Oaks for 3yo fillies at 1 1/8 miles.       Pace  There’s not much on paper, with the exception of #7 DIRECTIVE   (6-1), who looks loose, over a trip that can carry her kind.      Trends  The main track has been consistent throughout the meet, with winners coming from everywhere.      Best Play  #7 DIRECTIVE (6-1): The “other” Brown filly looks like the controlling speed, already owns a win over the track/distance, has a world of…

Happy Coaching Club American Oaks Day!  We have another excellent rendition of the CCA Oaks as Kentucky Oaks winner Always a Runner and Acorn winner Counting Stars face off in their third head to head battle. If either win today they will become the clear leader of the three year old filly division.   Trivia question: Who was Alfred G. Vanderbilt?  Race 9 The Alfred G. Vanderbilt  Handicap Grade II  Six Furlongs on the Dirt For Four Year Olds and Upward  Damon’s Mound:Has been running primarily against Florida breds this year while earning a career best 100 Beyer. Has handled open company as shown by his win in the Bold Ruler last Fall (91 Beyer). Finished a distant fourth in this race last year. Six of nine career wins are at six furlongs. Race flow doesn’t suit with speed to his outside that will crossover. Looking elsewhere.  Crazy Mason:Closing…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/24/26      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  10       Race overview  An extremely deep and competitive MSW for 3up at 1 ½ miles on the inner turf.       Pace  This is a true turf marathon, and there are no confirmed front runners on paper, so expect things to crawl early, and turn into a sprint off the far turn.      Trends  Weekend rain saturated the turf courses on Saturday and into Sunday and had it playing more towards stalkers and closers, so it’s worth monitoring things early in the week.      Best Play  #5 INSTANTLY (7-2) (turf only): Walden charge was a middling…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 7/23/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 7   Race overview A stakes-worthy OC 110k/C for 4up at 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf.   Pace It looks on the slow side, as there are no true confirmed front runners, and at this longer distance, expect them to go slow early and sprint off the far turn. Trends Weekend rain saturated the turf courses on Saturday and into Sunday and had it playing more towards stalkers and closers, so it’s worth monitoring things early in the week. Best Play #5 SALAMIS (5-2) (turf only): Brown charge returned off…

Happy Dunkin’ Diana Day!  Chad Brown has dominated the Diana like no other Grade I – winning nine of the past ten editions with only Charlie Appleby’s Athiqa in 2021 breaking up his run. Chad has four in the Diana today and they all look live.  Trivia Question: While Flavian Prat has piloted the last four winners of the Diana – which jockey has the most wins in this Grade I?  Race 5 – The Dunkin’ Diana Stakes – Grade I  One Mile and One Furlong on the Inner Turf for Fillies & Mares Four Years Old and Up  Dynamic Pricing:Chad (1/4) Started 2026 in the Jenny Wiley where she got up for fourth (93 Beyer). Then in the Beaugay she was a decent second. In both races she did not show a strong turn of foot although she did level off late. She moves up if there is cut in the ground. Has been freshened since the Beaugay. Zayas takes over for Irad who is at the Haskell. Exotics. …

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 7/18/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 10   Race overview A solid OC 45k/N2X for NYBs at 1-mile on the main track.   Pace It looks honest enough, and potentially swift, as a trio of the first four want to be on or near the early lead. Trends The main track was very fair last weekend, and even seemed to tilt towards those with an ability to come from off-the-pace. Best Play #5 WHITTINGHAM PARK (3-1): Versatile sort was a stretch runner before showing a lot more speed in his last, and he’s got foundation for this off…