Handicapping Articles

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/28/2022      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  4      Race overview  A seemingly modest MSW for 3up f/ms going 6Fs on the main, with a field that looks littered with horses with little to no upside.       Pace  Things should be honest up front, as it’s a full field with several who have shown some initiative in the past.      Trends  The main track tilted a bit towards off-the-pace runners over the weekend, but has, for the most part, played fair during the meet.       Best Play  #4 FOXFIRE (7-2):…

Happy Mother Goose Day!  There are three stakes on the BAQ card today headlined by the Mother Goose and Forty Niner. The Forty Niner was previously run as the Kelso, but no worries, the mighty Kelso still has a stakes race honoring him. The former Forbidden Apple at Saratoga was renamed for Kelso this year.  “Once upon a time there was a horse named Kelso. But only once.” – Joe Hirsch  Trivia Question: What is the Mother Goose Stakes named after?  Race 8 – The Mother Goose  – Grade II  One Mile and One Furlong on the Dirt for Three Year Old Fillies  Foggy Night: Wants a dry…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/27/2022      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  8      Race overview  A deep and competitive renewal of the G3 Valley View for 3yo fillies going 1-mile on turf.       Pace  It looks relatively tepid, as there’s very little confirmed speed signed on, which means a tactical gear will come in handy.      Trends  N/A       Best Play  #6 SECRET MONEY (5-1) (turf only): Versatile miss can run on or just off the lead and she showed her true colors with a win at KD, and note she was just a…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/26/2022      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  5      Race overview  A seemingly very weak MSW for 3up fms going 1-mile on the turf.       Pace  There are a slew of deep closers here, so tactical speed should play, especially since there’s no confirmed front runners entered either.      Trends  N/A       Best Play  #7 RED RIVER MAIGC (5-2) (turf only): Stretch out sprinter was a strong stalking 2nd in her turf bow last time, is bred to relish the added ground/turn she gets, and her tactical speed sprinting could…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/25/2022      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  4      Race overview  A predictably deep and competitive N1X for 3up sprinting 5 ½ Fs on the turf.       Pace  It’s a turf sprint, so it should be honest up front, especially since the majority of the speed is drawn outside.      Trends  N/A       Best Play  #4 SUMMER IN MALIBU (6-1) (turf only): Veteran tried the turf last time and ran huge, with plenty of trouble to boot, and now catches a group that he has a big recency edge on,…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/21/2022      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  6      Race overview  A solid renewal of the 250k Perryville, led by #1 Verifying (E) for 3yos going 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  There’s not much here at all, which means Verifying is likely going from the rail, with #5 DR. VENKMAN (7-2) pressing him the entire way.      Trends  The main track continues to be on the fair side, and even tilted a bit towards stalker/closers over the weekend.       Best Play  #5 DR. VENKMAN (7-2): Southern California…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 10/20/2022 Featured track Keeneland Race number 6   Race overview A strong 10k starter-allowance going 1 1/8 miles on the main track.   Pace For this elongated trip, it seems very honest, as there are ore than a few who want to be involved early. Trends The main track continues to be on the fair side, and even tilted a bit towards stalker/closers over the weekend.   Best Play #4 Nepal Up (4-1): Stretch runner just-missed to #3 Tiger Moon (3-1) last time while well clear of 3rd, and the flow today, not to mention the extra half-furlong, should help…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/19/2022      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  7      Race overview  An extremely weak N1X for 3up going 1 1/16 miles on the turf, with very few with upside.       Pace  There are a few that want to be involved early, though things don’t appear overly heated up front, so expect a tight pace and a ¼-mile sprint to the finish.      Trends  N/A       Best Play  #3 Clyde’s Got a Gun (9-2) (turf only): CD MSW winner looked great shaking off plenty of trouble early and often and rallying…