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  Happy Jim Dandy Day!  Compact field of five runners in the Jim Dandy led Commandment, who was runner-up in the Belmont and won the Florida Derby along with Renegade who won the Arkansas Derby and was a narrow runner-up in the Kentucky Derby. Too bad we don’t have Derby/Belmont winner Golden Tempo in the field as he will now train up to the Travers following a minor illness.  Trivia Question: The Jim Dandy is currently run at nine furlongs. But that was not always the case. What other distances has it been contested at?    Race 6 The Saratoga Special Stakes – Grade II  Six and One Half Furlongs on the Dirt for Two Year Olds  How’s Al Today:Broke his maiden first out for Riley Mott as this Munnings colt beat a field of eleven and came from mid-pack to get the win (66 Beyer). Saez will have to work out a trip from this inside…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 7/31/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 7   Race overview A deep and competitive OC20k/SAL16k for 4up at 1 1/8 miles.   Pace It looks honest and potentially competitive on paper, as there are more than a few who want to be close and involved early. 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 #6 CALIBRATE (2-1): Diodoro invader won on the turf and dirt at Lone Star, and while this is a big step up, this is not…

  “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…