Author Archives: Brian Nadeau

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  5/5/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 10      Race overview:  As good a renewal of the G2 Edgewood for 3yo fillies going 1 1/16 miles on the turf as you’ll ever see, as there are upwards of 10 potential winners in the field-of-11, which means taking a stand gives you a huge leg up on the rest of the betting public.       Pace:  There’s not much here, so they’ll be bunched early and sprint off the far turn, where acceleration and racing luck will both come into play.      Trends:  They…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  5/4/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 7      Race overview:  A deep 50k MCL with more than a few possibilities, though none have the upside of MSW dropper #8 KIKI KRAZY (7-2)       Pace:  It’s a full field, so it should be hot and contested, which means a rating gear is preferred.      Trends:  It’s still early in the meet, but the main track has tilted towards off-the-pace types, as speed has struggled to hold, for the most part.       Best Play:  #8 KIKI KRAZY (7-2): MSW dropper has had…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  5/2/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 9      Race overview:  A wide-open MSW routing at 1 ¼ miles on the main track for 3up.       Pace:  Expect things to be a crawl early, as these maidens will be tested running the Kentucky Derby distance, which means they will be handled gently early on, in the hopes of saving something for later.      Trends:  N/A       Best Play:  #7 GRAGGADOCIOUS (9-2): This is a pedigree race as much as anything, and this Gun Runner gelding has it in spades, as a…

new  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  5/3/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 7      Race overview:  A solid, though hardly spectacular N1X going a tricky 7 ½ furlongs on the main.       Pace:  It looks potentially hot and contested, as there are a trio who want to be involved early, and all three are stretching out off shorter sprints last time, so a tactical gear could come in handy.      Trends:  N/A       Best Play:  #5 SPARTAN ARMY (8-1): FG invader woke up as a first-time gelding last time, and had a troubled trip too,…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  4/29/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 5      Race overview:  A very weak MSW for 3up sprinting on the main, and it’s the distance that’s key here, as it will play to #4 MAPPER (3-1) a lot more than it will to #7 Sidekick (5-2).       Pace:  It should be hot and contested, as not only are there ore than a few who want to be involved early, but there is a slew of firsters entered too, several of which have bullet drills for their unveiling.      Trends:  N/A      …

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  4/23/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Keeneland – Race 3      Race overview:  A below-average 50k claimer going 7Fs on the main, which means a class riser in great form, like #6 KEEN LADY (7-2), might be in a prime spot.       Pace:  It looks slow to non-existent, as several are confirmed one-run closers, so the ability to lay close is paramount.      Trends:  The main track has tilted towards speed (which is nothing unusual), though there has been no obvious biases in terms of running styles or paths, while the turf has been on…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  4/22/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Keeneland – Race 3      Race overview:  An uninspiring 30k MCL going 7Fs on the main, with very few entering with proven, trustworthy form.       Pace:  It looks on the slow side, as there’s not much sprint speed entered, and there are also some confirmed closers as well, so you better be able to lay close early.      Trends:  The main track has tilted towards speed (which is nothing unusual), though there has been no obvious biases in terms of running styles or paths, while the turf has been…

Date: 4/21/2023 Featured Track/Race: Keeneland – Race 4   Race overview: An uninspiring MSW routing on the main for f/ms, with a 2-1 ML favorite (#1), who hasn’t been seen since 3/13/22.   Pace: Expect things to be moderate up front, as there’s not a lot of real speed signed on, in a race where a lot of these are suspect at the distance as well. Trends: The main track has tilted towards speed (which is nothing unusual), though there has been no obvious biases in terms of running styles or paths, while the turf has been on fair side.   Best Play: #4 MAGIC PALACE (9-2): Tactical…

Date:  4/20/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Keeneland – Race 5      Race overview:  A seemingly below average N1X sprinting on turf, with very little trusted, proven form to go on.       Pace:  It’s a turf sprint, so there will be plenty of it, so look for someone with a rating gear that can pick the speed off in the stretch.      Trends:  The main track has tilted towards speed (which is nothing unusual), though there has been no obvious biases in terms of running styles or paths, while the turf has been on fair side.       Best Play:  #9 PEACH COBBLER (7-2): (turf only):…