Author Archives: Brian Nadeau

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/17/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Ellis Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A compact and competitive 20k claimer sprinting 6 1/2Fs on the main, with several contenders, though #4 COURTHOUSE COVE (2-1) seemingly holding all the aces.       Pace:  It looks honest, though there’s also no real true sprint speed either.      Trends:  They’ve only switched to The Pea Patch for two days of racing, and Sunday was run over a very sloppy track, so let’s take a wait-and-see approach before determining how things might be playing.       Best Play:  #4 COURTHOUSE…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/15/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Ellis Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A mixed bag of 3yo claimers going 6Fs on the main track, with several coming in off poor performances, which is not the case at all for #5 ATKINS (7-2).       Pace:  There’s no true speedster here, though several want to be close early, so the pace appears to be honest enough.      Trends:  They’ve only switched to The Pea Patch for two days of racing, and Sunday was run over a very sloppy track, so let’s take a wait-and-see approach…

Date:  6/11/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Belmont Park – Race 1      Race overview:  A relatively meek N1X going a mile on the Widener for fillies & mares, with very few who have any form or upside, which is not the case at all with #6 PARTY ON GIRL (3-1).       Pace:  It should be honest enough, as a few stretch out and have been chasing fast splits sprinting.      Trends:  The turf has been hard and fast, so the splits have been hot, and, for the most part, speed has held well.       Best Play:  #6 PARTY ON GIRL (3-1) (turf only): Stalker…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/10/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Belmont Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A deep and competitive, though seemingly modest, N1X sprinting 7Fs on the main.       Pace:  There’s isn’t any, with the exception of #6 BOUNCER (6-1), who dueled through wicked splits in his comeback and looks loose here.      Trends:  The main track has played fair, with winners able to utilize all running styles, and there has been very few days where the inside has been a consistent positive or negative—however, on a big day like this, it could very well…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/9/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Belmont Park – Race 9      Race overview:  A sterling renewal of the (now) 1 1/16-mile G1 Acorn for 3yo fillies, which includes Kentucky Oaks winner #6 Pretty Mischievous (2-1) and the freaky-fast #5 Munnys Gold (9-5).       Pace:  Munnys Gold will be zipping along in front, but both #2 Randomized and #7 Goodgirl Badhabits will try and keep her honest.      Trends:  The main track has played fair for the most part, with winners able to utilize all running styles, and there has been very few days where…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/8/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Belmont Park – Race 10      Race overview:  A meek state-bred MCL for fillies & mares sprinting 7Fs on the turf, with a very vulnerable favorite in #5 Robyn and Eli (2-1), who will be overbet even though she was very uninspiring in her return.       Pace:  There’s not much here, at least on paper, so expect things to be on the tepid side, with a bunched sprint to the finish in the cards.      Trends:  The turf has been firm and fast, and the fractional splits have followed…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/4/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 3      Race overview:  A deep and competitive 16k claimer sprinting on the main for older.       Pace:  It looks hot and contested—and a few of the favorites may get caught up in it—so taking someone with a stalking style appears a prudent approach.      Trends:  The main track played a bit more on the fair side last week, as winners were coming from everywhere, though tactical speed (at the very least) is always preferred.        Best Play:  #5 ALL EYES WEST (9-2): Class…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/3/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 10      Race overview:  A solid renewal of the G3 Blame going 1 1/8 miles on the main for older handicap division runners.       Pace:  There’s not much here, so expect a bunched group early and a sprint late.      Trends:  The main track played a bit more on the fair side last week, as winners were coming from everywhere, though tactical speed (at the very least) is always preferred.        Best Play:  #1 MASQUEPARADE (5-1): Router needed his comeback going a one-turn mile,…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/2/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 4      Race overview:  A vert weak 20k N2L for 3&up going a mile on the main, with very few who have winning credentials.        Pace:  There’s not much here, which really flatters #7 UNCLE BERLEY (3-1), who drew perfectly and is fast enough to lead or sit just off.      Trends:  The main track played a bit more on the fair side last week, as winners were coming from everywhere, though tactical speed (at the very least) is always preferred.        Best Play: …