Race of the Day

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/11/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  8       Race overview  A relatively modest (on paper) MSW for fm4up at 1-mile on turf.       Pace  There’s a trio on the inside that want to be on or just off the early lead, so things look honest, and potentially competitive, up front.      Trends  They don’t run enough turf races here for there to be a true course profile, but needless to say, it’s a lot fairer than the GP speedy highway that #3 HEDGE BOOK ran over in her career debut.      Best Play  #3 HEDGE BOOK (6-1) (turf only): Been waiting for…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/10/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  3       Race overview  A very strong 25k claimer for 4up at 1 1/16 miles.       Pace  There’s not much here, with the possible exception of #7 Saltwater Cowboy (9-2), so being able to lay close early seems a plus.      Trends  A fast main track played on the fair side all week, with winners coming from every, including plenty from mid-pack off off-the-pace.      Best Play  #6 DAI VERNON (9-5): GP invader now also moves into a potent Crichton barn, which is a huge 36% with newcomers,…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/7/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 10   Race overview A deep and competitive N1X for NYBs at 7fs on the main track.   Pace It looks hot and contested, as there are more than a few who want to be on or just off the early lead. Trends The main track continued to be a paved highway the first three days of the meet, with minimal passing, so you better be close, at the very least, even at this demanding distance. Best Play #6 BOLD LOVE (5-1): Stalker ran well against open 3yos at 1m with big…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/6/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 4   Race overview A wildly deep and competitive OC/N1X for fm3up at 6 ½ furlongs.   Pace It looks hot and contested, and potentially supersonic, as there are more than a few who want to fly on the front end, which suggests this could fall apart in the lane (if the track is more on the fair side; see below) at what is a tricky and demanding distance. Trends The main track was predictably fast and speed Wednesday and Thursday, so make sure to check the charts Friday in the hopes…

Happy Belmont Day! Magnificent day of racing with six Grade 1 stakes races led by the Belmont. Only the Breeders’ Cup cards offer more Grade 1s. Oh, and pack a lunch – and maybe a dinner. First post is at 11am and the last post is at 8:02pm. Trivia question: Who won the other two editions of the Belmont Stakes contested at Saratoga? Race 12 – The Manhattan – Grade I One Mile and Three Sixteenths on the Mellon Turf for Four Year Olds and Up Tiz Dashing: Didn’t fire in the Makers Mark Mile as he was in position but faded (91 Beyer). Two back in the…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/5/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 6   Race overview A predictably deep and competitive MSW for fm3up at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf.   Pace Simply put, there’s none here to keep #5 HOME WRECKER (10-1) from clearing early and trying to lull them all to sleep on the front. Trends It was just one day, but the turf sure played to speed Wednesday, with all but one winner being either on or just off the early pace, so monitor things Thursday, and swing away if it’s still the case. Best Play #5 HOME WRECKER (10-1)…

Happy Ogden Phipps Day! Five stakes on the card today for the fillies led by three Grade Is. The Acorn has four of the top five finishers in the Kentucky Oaks back in the starting gate as they face each other in a re-match. It’s a short field, but all the right ones are entered. The question in the Odgen Phipps revolves around Nitrogen and whether she can regain her form after being defeated by Majestic Oops in the Azeri and the late Claret Beret in the Apple Blossom. She didn’t have an excuse on either day. She has had a bit more time between starts this time…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/4/26 Featured track Saratoga Race number 8 Race overview A solid renewal of the G2 Intercontinental for fm4up at 5 ½ furlongs on the Mellon turf course. Pace It looks hot and contested, as there are at lest three who want to motor early on the front end. Trends N/A Best Play #3 IN OUR TIME (3-1) (turf only): Tactical filly cut back and wowed in the G2 Giant’s Causeway at Keeneland, has the perfect running style to sit off the speed and get first run on the closers, and should only be better with the sprint return…

Happy Belmont Gold Cup Day! The Belmont racing festival heats up with three graded stakes headlined by the Grade II Belmont Gold Cup, which is a two mile, four turn race on the inner turf. Trivia Question: What is the longest graded turf stakes race in North America? Race 3 – The Pennine Ridge – Grade III One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Inner Turf For Three Year Olds Bottas: Won the first two races of his career last Fall including the Pilgrim (81 Beyer) which led to a start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf where he had no impact (73 Beyer). He can win with…