Author Archives: Brian Nadeau

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  9/1/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  An deep and competitive N1X for 3up at 5 ½ Fs on the Mellon turf.       Pace  It’s a turf sprint, so things should be hot and contested up front, as several entered want to be involved early.      Trends  There’s really nothing too conclusive to go on, but a firm, fast turf course, tactical speed is never a bad thing.      Best Play  #6 DETERMINED EFFORT (7-2) (turf only): Been waiting for this one to come back…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/31/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  8       Race overview  A potentially loaded MSW for 2yos at 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  It figures to be hot and contested, as there are a slew of well-bred first-time starters coming from top barns, who have all worked well—and several who have worked fast—in the morning.      Trends  A fast main track on Saturday and Sunday played fair, though it’s definitely something to monitor early in Closing Week.      Best Play  #3 TAP INTO THIS (3-1): CD invader…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/30/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  10       Race overview  A meek 35k N3L for 3up at 1-mile on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest, as more than a few want to be close early, which is usually imperative at this tricky trip.      Trends  A fat main track on Saturday and Sunday played fair, though it’s definitely something to monitor early in Closing Week.      Best Play  #1 CHILENO (6-5): Obviously you’re not getting rich here, but this veteran lays over the field and seems…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/29/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  10       Race overview  An extremely deep and competitive renewal of the G3 With Anticipation for 2yos at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf.       Pace  It could be hot and contested, as now only are there more than a few who have shown speed, but there are also a few stretching out as well, and with a quick run to the first turn, things could be quite energetic up front.      Trends  There’s really nothing too conclusive to go on, but…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/28/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  6       Race overview  A seemingly very modest NYB MSW for 2yofs at 5 ½ Fs on the Mellon turf course.       Pace  There’s definitely some here, but there’s also a chance that #6 THE SUGARS (6-1) is faster than all of them.      Trends  There’s really nothing too conclusive to go on, but a firm, fast turf course, especially at this distance, is going to cater to speed more often than not.      Best Play  #6 THE SUGARS (6-1) (turf only): Speedster…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/25/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  A compact AOC for NYBs 3up at 7Fs on the main track.        Pace  There’s basically none here, so expect a tight pack that will sprint off the far turn.      Trends  There’s not much to go on, as the track has been in and out, condition-wise, on a daily basis, so continue to monitor the weather and how things are playing early on the card/in the week.      Best Play  #3 BOURBON CHASE (2-1): Maker returnee has…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/24/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  12       Race overview  An absolutely sterling renewal of the G1 H. Allen Jerkens for 3yos going 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  It looks like #1 World Record (8-1) should be leading, but there are a trio of others who want to chase, and this is a race that traditionally throws down wild splits.      Trends  There’s not much to go on, as the track has been in and out, condition-wise, on a daily basis, so continue to monitor the weather…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/23/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  A deep and competitive N1X for 3up going 1 3/8 miles on the inner turf course.       Pace  It’s a turf marathon, so expect things to be very tepid early, and turn into a sprint off the far turn.      Trends  N/A      Best Play  #2 HUNT BALL (5-2): Cody’s Wish’s little brother has found a home on turf and now adds blinkers, which should give him a bit more early focus, and from this ground-saving inside draw,…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/22/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  5       Race overview  A solid 35k N2L for 3up going 6Fs on the main track.       Pace  Things should be on the fast side, as there are more than a few who want to be involved early on.      Trends  There’s not much to go on, as the track has been in and out, condition-wise, on a daily basis, so continue to monitor the weather and how things are playing early on the card/in the week.      Best Play  #2 IMPROBABLE JOURNEY…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/21/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  7       Race overview  A deep and competitive 50k claimer for 3up at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.       Pace  There’s not much here, other than #7 Magnolia Midnight, so expect a bunched group entering the far turn.      Trends  There’s not much to go on, as the track has been in and out, condition-wise, on a daily basis, so continue to monitor the weather and how things are playing early on the card/in the week.      Best Play  #2…