Author Archives: Brian Nadeau

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/16/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 1      Race overview:  A seemingly modest NYB MSW for 2yofs routing 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf.       Pace:  It figures to be honest, as there are several first-time starters entered, along with more than a few stretch out sprinters.      Trends:  There’s nothing to lean on with the turf, as it’s had plenty of give to it throughout the meet, though the inner is usually kinder to speed types, with the tighter turns.        Best Play:  #6 ONCE AN EAGLE (turf only):…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/13/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 9      Race overview:  A solid, albeit unspectacular AOC for 3up going 7Fs on the main.       Pace:  It looks honest and competitive, as more than a few want to be involved early, which means a stalker could have a big say late.      Trends:  The main track has been on the fair side all meet, though as a general rule, you want to have tactical speed sprinting, as races rarely fall apart in the lane.       Best Play:  #8 CANDY TYCOON (4-1): Know…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/12/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 10      Race overview:  A wildly deep and competitive 50k starter-allowance for 3up going 1-mile on the main.       Pace:  It looks hot and contested, as there are more than a few who want to be involved early and often, which means a stalking gear will come in handy.      Trends:  The main track has been on the fair side all meet, though as a general rule, you want to have tactical speed sprinting, as races rarely fall apart in the lane.       Best…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/11/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 10      Race overview:  A full field of 35k N2L f/ms going 5 ½ Fs on the Mellon turf.       Pace:  It’s a turf sprint, so there should be plenty of pace here, especially towards the inside.      Trends:  There’s nothing to lean on with the turf, as it’s had plenty of give to it throughout the meet, and they were OFF Weds/Thurs, though it has been noticeable that the inside paths seem to be preferred.        Best Play:  #5 MICHELLE M. (7-2) (turf only):…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/10/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 7      Race overview:  A predictably deep and competitive AOC for f/ms going 1 1/8 miles on the Mellon Turf.       Pace:  It looks a bit muddled, especially since a lot of these may not want to run this far, so expect a tight group and a sprint off the far turn.      Trends:  There’s really nothing to lean on with the turf, as it’s had plenty of give to it throughout the meet, though it has been pretty noticeable that the inside paths seem to…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/9/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 9      Race overview:  A really good Johnstone Mile for NYB f/ms going 1-mile on the main.       Pace:  It should be honest, as there are more than a few here who want to be involved early, especially with a stretch to a (kind of) two turns.      Trends:  The main track has been on the fair side all meet, though as a general rule, you want to have tactical speed sprinting, as races rarely fall apart in the lane.       Best Play:  #5 BETSY…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/6/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 8      Race overview:  A relatively iffy renewal of the G3 Adirondack for 2yo fillies, who now stretch out to 6 ½ furlongs, where the precociousness wears off a bit, and you really have to earn it.       Pace:  It should be honest, as there are more than a few here who want to be involved early, especially because they stretch out too.      Trends:  The main track has been on the fair side all meet, tough as a general rule, you want to have tactical…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/5/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 11      Race overview:  One of those loaded Saratoga N1X’s for 3up sprinting 7Fs on the dirt, with a field loaded with potential stakes runners.       Pace:  It should be honest, as there are more than a few here who want to be involved early.      Trends:  The main track has been on the fair side all meet, tough as a general rule, you want to have tactical speed sprinting, as races rarely fall apart in the lane.       Best Play:  #5 FRAT PACK (9-2):…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/4/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 3      Race overview:  A solid field of 10k claimers sprinting 6Fs on the main.       Pace:  It looks hot and contested, as more than a few want to go early, with just as many wanting to keep them honest.      Trends:  The main track has been on the fair side all meet, tough as a general rule, you want to have tactical speed sprinting, as races rarely fall apart in the lane.       Best Play:  #7 TURNSANDCONDITIONS (6-1): Stiff class dropper has been facing…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/3/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 1      Race overview:  An NYB MSW for 2yos routing 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf, with several decent prospects and names to remember down the line.       Pace:  It’s a two-turn turf route, with a quick run to a first turn that most of these have never seen before, so things can get quick in a hurry.      Trends:  The turf has been a mixture of firm, giving, and OFF, so it’s tough to discern anything, though when it’s on the firm side,…