Author Archives: Brian Nadeau

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/24/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Ellis Park – Race 2      Race overview:  A restricted 2yo MSW sprinting 5 1/2Fs on the main, in a race where, even for this level, looks subpar.       Pace:  There’s a full field of 11, many of which have never started, so it should be honest up front.      Trends:  The main track was speedy and played to the inside a bit last week, so you should be close early.       Best Play:  #9 LET’S GO MARK (3-1): Stiff class dropper was facing open MSW foes in…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/23/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Ellis Park – Race 7      Race overview:  An extremely deep and competitive N1X sprinting 5 ½ furlongs on the turf, with a full field of 10 entered.       Pace:  It’s a turf sprint, so there will be plenty of heat up front, especially since there are a slew of dirt runners trying to the surface for the first time.      Trends:  They just aren’t running enough turf races to distinguish anything.       Best Play:  #3 COUNTERSTRIKE (10-1) (turf only): Stalker endured a wide trip last time but…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/18/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Ellis Park – Race 2      Race overview:  A very deep and competitive 25k claimer going a mile on the main, in a race where everyone can win, but it’s #1 ON A SPREE (3-1) who enters off a powerhouse win and now goes OTC for Sharp.       Pace:  Expect a compact group early, as there doesn’t appear to be any true speed, and a few of these might struggle to go this far as well, which might temper the enthusiasm early.       Trends:  They’ve only switched to The…

“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…