Handicapping

Happy Belmont Day!  This is the best New York racing card of the year and yes, I see you Travers card.  This year it features nine graded stakes with six Grade 1s highlighted by the Met Mile and the Belmont Stakes as well as a great match up in the Ogden Phipps.  There are a series of special wagers offered on Belmont Day and one of them is a daily double on the Met Mile and Belmont Stakes. I’ll tackle those races and have some thoughts on the all Stakes late Pick 4 as well. Have at it!  Race 10 – The Metropolitan Handicap – Grade I  One…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/9/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Belmont Park – Race 9      Race overview:  A sterling renewal of the (now) 1 1/16-mile G1 Acorn for 3yo fillies, which includes Kentucky Oaks winner #6 Pretty Mischievous (2-1) and the freaky-fast #5 Munnys Gold (9-5).       Pace:  Munnys Gold will be zipping along in front, but both #2 Randomized and #7 Goodgirl Badhabits will try and keep her honest.      Trends:  The main track has played fair for the most part, with winners able to utilize all running styles, and there has been very few days where…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/8/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Belmont Park – Race 10      Race overview:  A meek state-bred MCL for fillies & mares sprinting 7Fs on the turf, with a very vulnerable favorite in #5 Robyn and Eli (2-1), who will be overbet even though she was very uninspiring in her return.       Pace:  There’s not much here, at least on paper, so expect things to be on the tepid side, with a bunched sprint to the finish in the cards.      Trends:  The turf has been firm and fast, and the fractional splits have followed…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/4/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 3      Race overview:  A deep and competitive 16k claimer sprinting on the main for older.       Pace:  It looks hot and contested—and a few of the favorites may get caught up in it—so taking someone with a stalking style appears a prudent approach.      Trends:  The main track played a bit more on the fair side last week, as winners were coming from everywhere, though tactical speed (at the very least) is always preferred.        Best Play:  #5 ALL EYES WEST (9-2): Class…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/3/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 10      Race overview:  A solid renewal of the G3 Blame going 1 1/8 miles on the main for older handicap division runners.       Pace:  There’s not much here, so expect a bunched group early and a sprint late.      Trends:  The main track played a bit more on the fair side last week, as winners were coming from everywhere, though tactical speed (at the very least) is always preferred.        Best Play:  #1 MASQUEPARADE (5-1): Router needed his comeback going a one-turn mile,…