Handicapping

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/18/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  9       Race overview  A deep and competitive 14kN3L for 3up at 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  While it’s a full field, there’s actually not much here, so having the ability to lay close seems imperative.      Trends  There’s not much to go on, but the main track did seem to have an inside/speed feel to it Friday, so make sure to check the charts Saturday, and monitor things early Sunday as well.      Best Play  #8 Super Chief (7-2): Maker…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/17/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  8       Race overview  A very solid N1X for 3up going 1 1/8 miles on the main track.       Pace  Expect it to be on the tepid side, especially at this demanding trip.      Trends  There’s not much to go on, as it rained again Thursday, so look at Friday’s results, as well as the early races Saturday to see if there’s any indication of how the main track might be playing.      Best Play  #6 ROCKETEER (9-2): Cox runner was just…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/16/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  8       Race overview  A very solid AOC for 3upfm going 1-mile on the inner turf.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as there are a few here who want to be in front, and a few others who want to be close early on as well.      Trends  N/A      Best Play  #1 TAX IMPLICATIONS (6-5) (turf only): Nothing too clever here, but when you can get a G3 winner dropping in to AOC company for Brown, you take it and…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/15/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  8       Race overview  A compact AOC/N3X for 4up at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.       Pace  It’s a small field, but there are a few who want to be involved early, which suggests the pace will be on the honest side.      Trends  Pay attention to how the main track is playing Wednesday and in the earlier races on this card as well, as hopefully there will be some consistency in the weather to allow for a gauge.     …

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/14/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  A relatively modest AOC for 4upfm at 1 1/16 miles on the Mellon turf course.       Pace  it looks honest enough, as there are a few who want to be on the lead, and a few others who want to be close early as well.      Trends  N/A      Best Play  #4 MIDNIGHT MILE (9-5) (turf only): Brown runner goes second-off the layoff but more importantly adds Lasix, which can be huge for an older horse, and after…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/11/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  9       Race overview  A very strong 25k N3L for 3up at 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  There’s plenty here, if it all stays intact, so having a stalking gear seems imperative.       Trends  There’s not much to go on here, as they canceled Friday amid heavy rains, so pay close attention Saturday to see how the main track could be playing.      Best Play  #5 ANTHRACITE (8-1): Stalker goes off-the-claim for Rice, a potent 24% move, has solid back…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/10/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  5       Race overview  As weak a N2L 16k claimer for 3upfm at 6 ½ Fs on the main track as you’ll ever see at Saratoga.       Pace  There’s plenty here, if it all stays intact, so having a stalking gear seems imperative.       Trends  There’s not much to go on here, as they canceled Friday amid heavy rains, so pay close attention early (Saturday) to see how the main track could be playing.      Best Play  #7 (5-2): Stalker will like…

Happy Fourstardave Day!  Today’s rescheduled feature race honors the “The Sultan of Saratoga” who won at the Spa for a record eight consecutive years (1987-1994).  When he retired there was a Fourstardave Day, Dave was paraded between races and he was given an edible key to the city.  His career stats are from a completely different era: twenty-one wins from one hundred starts. 100 starts!   Trivia Question: How many times did Fourstardave win this race when it was the Daryl’s Joy?  Race 10– The Fourstardave Handicap – Grade I  One Mile on the Inner Turf, For Three Year Olds and Upward  Strong Quality: Speedball who should set the…