Handicapping Articles

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/18/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Ellis Park – Race 2      Race overview:  A very deep and competitive 25k claimer going a mile on the main, in a race where everyone can win, but it’s #1 ON A SPREE (3-1) who enters off a powerhouse win and now goes OTC for Sharp.       Pace:  Expect a compact group early, as there doesn’t appear to be any true speed, and a few of these might struggle to go this far as well, which might temper the enthusiasm early.       Trends:  They’ve only switched to The…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/17/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Ellis Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A compact and competitive 20k claimer sprinting 6 1/2Fs on the main, with several contenders, though #4 COURTHOUSE COVE (2-1) seemingly holding all the aces.       Pace:  It looks honest, though there’s also no real true sprint speed either.      Trends:  They’ve only switched to The Pea Patch for two days of racing, and Sunday was run over a very sloppy track, so let’s take a wait-and-see approach before determining how things might be playing.       Best Play:  #4 COURTHOUSE…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/15/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Ellis Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A mixed bag of 3yo claimers going 6Fs on the main track, with several coming in off poor performances, which is not the case at all for #5 ATKINS (7-2).       Pace:  There’s no true speedster here, though several want to be close early, so the pace appears to be honest enough.      Trends:  They’ve only switched to The Pea Patch for two days of racing, and Sunday was run over a very sloppy track, so let’s take a wait-and-see approach…

Date:  6/11/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Belmont Park – Race 1      Race overview:  A relatively meek N1X going a mile on the Widener for fillies & mares, with very few who have any form or upside, which is not the case at all with #6 PARTY ON GIRL (3-1).       Pace:  It should be honest enough, as a few stretch out and have been chasing fast splits sprinting.      Trends:  The turf has been hard and fast, so the splits have been hot, and, for the most part, speed has held well.       Best Play:  #6 PARTY ON GIRL (3-1) (turf only): Stalker…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/10/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Belmont Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A deep and competitive, though seemingly modest, N1X sprinting 7Fs on the main.       Pace:  There’s isn’t any, with the exception of #6 BOUNCER (6-1), who dueled through wicked splits in his comeback and looks loose here.      Trends:  The main track has played fair, with winners able to utilize all running styles, and there has been very few days where the inside has been a consistent positive or negative—however, on a big day like this, it could very well…