Nadeau: Saratoga Play of the Day Sunday 7.30.23

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/30/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 7      Race overview:  A stakes-caliber AOC for 3up going 1 1/16 miles on the turf.        Pace:  It looks honest, as there are a few who want to be involved early, which should tilt this towards a first-run stalker.      Trends:  The turf has been a mixture of firm, giving, and OFF, so it’s tough to discern anything, though when it’s on the firm side, you need to be close early on, as making up significant ground isn’t easy.       Best Play:  #2…

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Applebee: Closer Look – Jim Dandy and Vanderbilt / Saratoga 7.29.23

Happy Jim Dandy Day!  For the fifth year in a row a different horse won each leg of the Triple Crown and we arrive at the Jim Dandy with the three year old division totally wide open.  Mage, National Treasure and Arcangelo each one a leg of the Triple Crown trail and then Geaux Rocket Ride upset the field in the Haskell. Given those results Forte probably retains a tentative hold on the division lead from his performances earlier this year – but much will be determined today and in the Travers.  Trivia Question – who was the last horse to win more than one leg of the…

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Nadeau: Saratoga Play of the Day Sat 7.29.23

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau     Date:  7/29/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 3      Race overview:  A deep and competitive 35k N2L sprinting 5 ½ Fs on the Mellon turf.       Pace:  It’s a turf sprint, so there will be some heat, but it also looks like #3 HATCH (8-1) could be the speed of the speed.      Trends:  The turf has been a mixture of firm, giving, and OFF, so it’s tough to discern anything, though when it’s on the firm side, you need to be close early on, as making up significant ground isn’t easy.      …

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Nadeau: Saratoga Play of the Day Fri 7.28.23

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/28/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 8      Race overview:  A strong 50k claimer for 3yos sprinting 7Fs on the main, with several who drop from saltier spots.       Pace:  There’s plenty here, and at a demanding 7Fs, there’s a chance the front runners get weary in the lane, so having some tactical speed should be viewed as a big advantage.      Trends:  The main track has been fair, though as a general rule, it will always tilt towards front runners, or those with tactical speed.       Best Play:  #5 DANGEROUS…

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Nadeau: Saratoga Play of the Day Thurs 7.27.23

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/27/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 2      Race overview:  A relatively modest 50k N2L routing 1m on the inner turf, as many here have suspect form and look like underlays.       Pace:  There’s not an abundance here, which suggest things could be on the slow side early, and therefore tactical speed will be a big asset.      Trends:  The turf has been a mixture of firm, giving, and OFF, so it’s tough to discern anything, though when it’s on the firm side, you need to be close early on, as…

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Nadeau: Saratoga Play of the Day Wed 7.26.23

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/26/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 7      Race overview:  A graded stakes caliber AOC for 3up sprinting 5 ½ Fs on the turf.       Pace:  For a full field of turf sprinters, especially this kind, there’s not an abundance of early speed, which means you should be close early.      Trends:  The turf has been a mixture of firm, giving, and OFF, so it’s tough to discern anything, though when it’s on the firm side, you need to be close early on, as making up significant ground isn’t easy.   …

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Nadeau: Saratoga Play of the Day Sunday 7.23.23

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/23/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 8      Race overview:  A deep and competitive full field of 32k claimers routing 1-mile on the inner turf.       Pace:  It looks honest enough, especially since there are more than a few inside who want to be involved early and often.      Trends:  Tactical speed will always play on the turf, as it’s often tough to make up significant ground.       Best Play:  $4 TASS (9-2) turf only): Stalker was the only one to make up any significant ground last time at Belmont, should…

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