PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   
   
Date:  8/25/2023 
   
Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 5 
   
Race overview:  An absolutely loaded, deep and competitive 75k for 3yos going 7Fs on the main. 
   
Pace:  For a full field sprinting on the dirt, there’s not a ton of true speed here, so having a tactical gear, at the very least, seems a must. 
   
Trends:  The main, which has gotten plenty of use during the meet, continues to play fair, though early speed is always be preferred. 
   
Best Play:  #6 JOKING WAY (6-1): Rice claim has been freshened since she plucked him for 50k at Ellis in June, and while this is a 27% barn OTC, the numbers go way up on her Kentucky imports, and that 2nd last time was sharp, and his stalking style fits the race profile too. 
   
Bet Types:    Aggressive WP bet and single to end the early Pk5/Pk4, and in the middle Pk4 as well. 
   
POD/Meet Stats:  Sar Meet Overall (through 8/20: 291-66-59-48 ($1.73/$5.10) 

Sar POD (through 8/20): 23-4-5-3 ($1.84/$4.81)