Handicapping Articles

Happy Breeders’ Cup Day! Nine Grade 1s today at Del Mar and many of these will determine divisional honors. History might be made this afternoon as Rebel’s Romance goes for his third Breeders’ Cup Turf win. Only Goldikova has won the same Breeders’ Cup race three times (the Mile in her case). Trivia Question: European based horses have won nine of the last ten renewals of the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Who is the only North American based horse to win the BC Turf since 2015? Race 8 – Breeders’ Cup Turf– Grade I One Mile and One Half on the Turf for Three Year Olds and Upward Rebel’s…

Happy Future Stars Friday! Five Grade I races today on Future Stars Friday at the Breeders’ Cup as we celebrate the top two year old fillies and colts. Trivia Question: Which jockey has won the most Breeders’ Cup races? Race 9 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – Grade I One Mile and a Sixteenth on the Dirt for Two Year Olds Intrepido: Had an impressive turn of foot in the American Pharoah over the final sixteenth to run down Desert Gate (87 Beyer). He’s won twice going two turns and has won over this track including breaking his maiden (84 Beyer). Improving speed figs. Gets a piece. Blackout Time:…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 11/1/25 Featured track Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Saturday Race number 6   Race overview A solid renewal of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint for 3up at 6 furlongs.   Pace It’s the fastest dirt race we run in this country, so they will fly early, which means—if the track is playing fair—this could fall apart late. Trends It’s imperative to check how the main track played Friday and early Saturday, as a paved highway would not help the stalker/closers. Best Play #7 IMAGINATION (6-1): Baffert runner cut back and won the G2 SA Sprint Championship eased up…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 10/31/25 Featured track Del Mar Breeders’ Cup Friday Race number 2   Race overview The 200k Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance for 2yos at 1m on turf.   Pace It looks potentially hot and contested, as there not only is plenty of speed on paper, but several stretching out to two turns as well. Trends N/A Best Play #5 PLUTARCH (2-1) (turf only): Baffert runner had a troubled trip when 2nd on the turf in the G3 Del Mar Juvenile, was a close 3rd on dirt in the G1 American Pharoah, lays over these on class, and has the…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/30/25      Featured track  Del Mar      Race number  7       Race overview  The 100k Let It Ride for California-bred 3yos at 1-mile on the turf.       Pace  It looks honest, and potentially hot, as there are more than a few who want to be close early.      Trends  N/A      Best Play  #6 FRIENDLY CONFINES (2-1) (turf only): Versatile sort looked good winning his return off a six-month layoff, has a class edge too, having run 2nd in an open stakes in March, drew well, and has…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/26/25      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  8       Race overview  A competitive renewal of the 200k Rags to Riches for 2yo fillies at   1 1/16 miles.       Pace  It looks honest, as there are a pair (#1 and #3) stretching out to two turns after having shown speed going shorter in their last.      Trends  N/A      Best Play  #4 LIFE OF JOY (5-2): Gun Runner filly settled then decimated the field by a widening 14+ on Debut at Indiana, and while this group is…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 10/25/25 Featured track Keeneland Race number 7 Race overview A solid OC/N2X for 3yo fillies at 1 1/8 miles. Pace It looks to be on the slow side, as there isn’t much here, and this is a distance that several are likely to struggle with. Trends A fast main track (it was sloppy Sunday) continued to be very fair last week, with winners coming from everywhere. Best Play #1 QUICKICK (3-1): Amoss charge drops out of stakes company for the first time, which enables her to add Lasix, so with a cozy post and a run all…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 10/24/25 Featured track Keeneland Race number 7   Race overview A deep and competitive N1X for fm3up at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.   Pace There’s not much on paper, in terms of confirmed front runners, so things figure tepid early, which will turn into a sprint off the far turn. Trends They don’t run enough turf races to develop any kind of trend or bias, though this is a much fairer course than a speedier Sar or GP. Best Play #5 CORRETO (4-1) (turf only): Motion 3yo showed promise in some GP stakes this winter…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/23/25      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  7       Race overview  A deep N2L for 2yos at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.       Pace  It looks on the slow side, as there are no burners signed on, while several entered have shown an affinity to come from off the pace.      Trends  They don’t run enough turf races to develop any kind of trend or bias, though this is a much fairer course than a speedier Sar or GP.      Best Play  #9 EXPRESSWAY (7-2) (turf only):…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/22/25      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  3       Race overview  A meek 40k N2L for 3up at 6 furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as more than a few want to be close early.      Trends  A fast main track (it was sloppy Sunday) continued to be very fair last week, with winners coming from everywhere.       Best Play  #4 COLONEL CALIENTE (5-2): Pace presser was a strong 4th against better while facing winners, in a liv race that saw the winner…