Author Archives: Brian Nadeau

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  5/28/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 2      Race overview:  A deep and competitive 50k N2L routing on the main track.       Pace:  It looks very honest on paper, as there are a few with route speed, along with a stretchout sprinter (#6 Dog Red).      Trends:  With the exception of Saturday’s drying out track (which typically always play to off-the-pace types), the main track was playing to speed throughout the week.       Best Play:  #5 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (5-2): Class dropper has been facing better, has a stalking gear that…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  5/27/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 3      Race overview:  A weak restricted MSW (50k or less/or RNA) going 5Fs on the main.       Pace:  There’s a slew of first-time starters here, so expect things to be quick up front.      Trends:  With the exception of Saturday’s drying out track (which typically always play to off-the-pace types), the main track was playing to speed throughout the week.       Best Play:  #3 LIAM’S MESSAGE (3-1): Experienced runner improved a lot in her second start, and had a trip, and there’s just…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  5/12/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 4      Race overview:  A compact 50k claimer for older sprinting 6Fs on the main.       Pace:  There’s not much here, which means from a perfect outside attack post, #6 DIVINE LEADER (5-2) should be primed the entire way.      Trends:  The main track had a speed/inside feel to it early on Derby Day but it evened out late for sure. And as a whole, it’s been fair throughout the meet, though speed and being forward is always preferred.        Best Play:  #6 DIVINE…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  5/11/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 3      Race overview:  A predictably deep and competitive 50k starter-allowance for f/m going 6 ½ furlongs on the main.       Pace:  There’s not much here, as #3 Tell Me When (7-2) should be controlling, with #5 CHARLEE MAE (8-1) closest, while several other major contenders have no speed at all.      Trends:  The main track had a speed/inside feel to it early on Derby Day but it evened out late for sure. And as a whole, it’s been fair throughout the meet, though…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  5/6/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 7      Race overview:  A deep and competitive renewal of the G2 Turf Sprint, with countless win possibilities, though none have the upside and potential move forward like #4 BIG INVASION (7-2).       Pace:  It’s a G2 turf sprint so they’ll be flying early, and there are several that want to be a part of it, so wiring seems a bit implausible.       Trends:  They just haven’t run enough races over the new turf to get a true feel, though it undoubtedly should be a…

“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…