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  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 7/5/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 5   Race overview A very modest 55k MCL for 3up at 1 1/16 miles on the Mellon Turf.   Pace It looks honest, as there are a few routers who have been on the lead, and a pair of sprinters stretching out that have been leading. Trends The short answer is “N/A,” the longer answer is a firm and fast turf course was a paved highway at the abbreviated Belmont Meet here in June, and with the weather scorching, things may not change. Best Play #8 CAPRICIOUS OUTCOME (8-5) (turf only):…

Happy Fourth of July! Happy 250th Birthday to the good old USA! Today’s card today is led by Belmont Oaks and Belmont Derby, and we also have the 140th renewal of the historic Suburban Handicap which has been won by many all-time greats including Kelso, Forego, Mineshaft, and Easy Goer. Trivia question: Who was hailed as the “hero of the Battle of Saratoga” for the Continentals? Race 7 – The Belmont Oaks Invitational – Grade I One Mile and One Furlong on the Inner Turf for Three Year Old Fillies Just Aloof: Just missed in the Edgewood where she sat a perfect pocket trip and then was on…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 7/4/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 9   Race overview A relatively modest renewal of the G1 Belmont Derby for 3yos at 1 1/18 miles on the Mellon Turf Course.   Pace It looks on the modest side, as there are no true confirmed front runners, so expect a tight pack that will sprint off the far turn. Trends The short answer is “N/A,” the longer answer is a firm and fast turf course was a paved highway at the abbreviated Belmont Meet here in June, and with the weather scorching, things may not change. Best Play #3…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  7/3/26      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  8       Race overview  A deep and competitive renewal of the 150k Wild Applause for 3yo fillies at 1-mile on the inner turf.       Pace  There should be no one here that can run with stretchout sprinter   #2 PARIS CARVER (12-1), who has been chasing hot splits at one-turn, and can clear this group early with an alert beginning.      Trends  The short answer is “N/A,” the longer answer is a firm and fast turf course was a paved highway at the abbreviated Belmont Meet…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/28/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 9   Race overview A solid renewal of the G3 Maxfield for 3yos at 7Fs on the main track.   Pace It looks honest, and potentially heated, as there are more than a few who want to be involved. Trends The main track continues to play on the fair side, though with all the rain earlier in the week, it’s important to monitor things. Best Play #4 BRANT (3-1): Always felt this Baffert runner was a one-turn horse, so while he disappointed on the Triple Crown Trail, and has run only…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/27/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  4       Race overview  An extremely strong OC/N1X for 3yos at 1 1/16 miles.       Pace  It looks like it should be pretty honest, as there are a slew who want to be part of the proceedings early on.      Trends  The main track continues to play on the fair side, though with all the rains predicted for the weekend, it’s best to reevaluate as it gets closer, and during the early races as well.       Best Play  #8 BLACKOUT…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/26/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 3   Race overview A compact but solid OC/N1X for 3yo fillies at 1 1/16 miles.   Pace It looks a bit on the slow side at this trip, though most entered have enough tactical speed to be close, in what should be a tight pack. Trends The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it on Saturday and Sunday. Best Play #2 ANSWERED PRAYERS (3-1): Stalker as a big edge on a few here in that she’s been tested (and…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/25/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  1       Race overview  A very meek bottom-level 12.5k claimer for fm3up at 6Fs.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as a pair of longshots on the inside want to be part of the pace early on.      Trends  The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it on Saturday and Sunday.      Best Play  #4 IMMINENT RISK (3-1): Turf-to-dirt runner is bred top and bottom for the main track, also goes second-off a long layoff, drops stiffly…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/24/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  5       Race overview  A predictably deep and competitive 50k claimer for 3up at 7Fs.       Pace  It looks honest, and potentially a bit heated, as more than a few want to be involved from the start.      Trends  The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it on Saturday and Sunday.      Best Play  #4 BANNED FOR LIFE (9-5): Sharp runner tried tougher on turf off-the-claim, which didn’t work, but he’s now back…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/21/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  5       Race overview  A modest 30k starter-allowance for 3up at 1 1/16 miles.       Pace  It looks honest and potentially crowded, as more than a few want to be involved early and often.      Trends  The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it over the weekend.      Best Play  #8 LAUGHNOWCRYLATER (2-1): Expected stalker was facing better when last seen in November, has trained forwardly for this, drew perfectly, and should sit the…