Handicapping

Happy Alabama Day!  The Grade 1 Alabama Stakes has is a deep field that includes the top three finishers from the Coaching Club American Oaks. The Lake Placid has four Chad Brown entries, per usual.  Trivia Question:  Why is there a major historic stakes race at Saratoga called “The Alabama”?  Race 7 – Lake Placid Stakes – Grade II  One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Inner Turf for Fillies Three Years Old  Heavenly Sunday: Won the Edgewood Stakes two back at Churchill via a front running trip (86 Beyer) and then came back in the Tepin at Ellis six weeks ago where she set the pace but…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/18/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 5      Race overview:  An extremely deep and competitive N1X for 3up going 1 3/16 miles on the Mellon turf.       Pace:  There’s not much here, so expect a compact group and a sprint late, especially since this is a long trip and more than a few might be suspect over it.      Trends:  We all know the nightmares of the turf over the course of the meet, so there’s not a ton to gleam over either turf courses.       Best Play:  #6 CATCH THAT…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/17/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 4      Race overview:  A very modest 40k N2L for 3up going 6 ½ Fs on the main.        Pace:  There’s not much here, as 3 Camm’ Duke (10-1) should be controlling early, which puts #5 WESTERN GHENT (6-1) in a good spot, as he seems like the only one with the tactical speed to keep him close early and get first run.      Trends:  The main continues to play fair, though speed should always be preferred, especially sprinting.       Best Play:  #5 WESTERN GHENT…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/16/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 1      Race overview:  A seemingly modest NYB MSW for 2yofs routing 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf.       Pace:  It figures to be honest, as there are several first-time starters entered, along with more than a few stretch out sprinters.      Trends:  There’s nothing to lean on with the turf, as it’s had plenty of give to it throughout the meet, though the inner is usually kinder to speed types, with the tighter turns.        Best Play:  #6 ONCE AN EAGLE (turf only):…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/13/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 9      Race overview:  A solid, albeit unspectacular AOC for 3up going 7Fs on the main.       Pace:  It looks honest and competitive, as more than a few want to be involved early, which means a stalker could have a big say late.      Trends:  The main track has been on the fair side all meet, though as a general rule, you want to have tactical speed sprinting, as races rarely fall apart in the lane.       Best Play:  #8 CANDY TYCOON (4-1): Know…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/12/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 10      Race overview:  A wildly deep and competitive 50k starter-allowance for 3up going 1-mile on the main.       Pace:  It looks hot and contested, as there are more than a few who want to be involved early and often, which means a stalking gear will come in handy.      Trends:  The main track has been on the fair side all meet, though as a general rule, you want to have tactical speed sprinting, as races rarely fall apart in the lane.       Best…

Happy Fourstardave Day!  The Fourstardave Handicap is named for “The Sultan of Saratoga” who won a race at the Spa for a record eight consecutive years from 1987 to 1994.  He was a New York bred, a blue collar horse, and was beloved by all Saratoga race fans. Dave is forever with us at Saratoga as he is buried on the backside at Clare Court.  Trivia Question: Who won the first running of the Fourstardave Handicap in 1996?   Race 8 – Saratoga Special – Grade II  Six and One Half Furlongs on the Dirt for Two Year Olds  This Grade II is a prep for the Hopeful Stakes…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/11/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 10      Race overview:  A full field of 35k N2L f/ms going 5 ½ Fs on the Mellon turf.       Pace:  It’s a turf sprint, so there should be plenty of pace here, especially towards the inside.      Trends:  There’s nothing to lean on with the turf, as it’s had plenty of give to it throughout the meet, and they were OFF Weds/Thurs, though it has been noticeable that the inside paths seem to be preferred.        Best Play:  #5 MICHELLE M. (7-2) (turf only):…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  8/10/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 7      Race overview:  A predictably deep and competitive AOC for f/ms going 1 1/8 miles on the Mellon Turf.       Pace:  It looks a bit muddled, especially since a lot of these may not want to run this far, so expect a tight group and a sprint off the far turn.      Trends:  There’s really nothing to lean on with the turf, as it’s had plenty of give to it throughout the meet, though it has been pretty noticeable that the inside paths seem to…