Handicapping Articles

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  11/9/2022      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  3      Race overview  A modest 20k claimer for 3up going 1 1/16 miles on the main.       Pace  There’s not much here, which means tactical speed is at a premium, especially since there are several off-the-pace types entered.      Trends  The main track has been forward for the majority of the meet, with speed and tactical speed playing well.       Best Play  #5 HUGH BIGLY (2-1): Asmussen claim (17%) just walloped a field of 16ks at Keeneland, takes a modest rise,…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  11/8/2022      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  4      Race overview  A competitive 30k MCL for 3upfm going 1 1/16 miles on the main.       Pace  There’s very little on paper, so the ability to lay close early should prove effective late.      Trends  The main track has been forward for the majority of the meet, with speed and tactical speed playing well.       Best Play  #8 SALSALITA VERDE (7-2): MSW dropper takes the biggest plunge in racing and she had a trip last time too, in what was…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  11/5/2022      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  6      Race overview  A deep and competitive AOC for 3up going 1-mile on the turf.       Pace  There’s not a lot here, which should flatter the chances of #8 WINFROMWITHIN (7-2), who has the ability to be on, or just off things early, in a field littered with stalker/closers.      Trends  N/A       Best Play  #8 WINFROMWITHIN (7-2) (turf only): Versatile sort can make the running or sit just off if someone feels like motoring early, ran well off a seven-month…

Happy Breeders’ Cup Day!  Christmas comes a touch early today for horse players as we have nine Breeders’ Cup races headlined by a very competitive Classic.     Race 8 – Breeders’ Cup Turf– Grade I  One Mile and One Half on the Turf for Three Year Olds and Upward  Shahryar: Has only raced twice this year with a fifth in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan and a no show eleventh in Japan in the Sapporo Kinen. In the Sheema Classic he dwelled toward the rear and made sustained run for fifth – but was no threat. Passing. Onesto: Was a strong third in the Arc de Triomphe…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  11/4/2022      Featured track  Santa Anita      Race number  4      Race overview  An absolutely sterling renewal of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at 1 ¼ miles.       Pace  It’s #1 IN ITALIAN (4-1) to catch, as there’s no one other than #8 Fev Rover (8-1) to keep her honest early, and even that one doesn’t have near the early foot to apply any serious pressure.      Trends  N/A       Best Play  #1 IN ITALIAN (4-1): Expected Lone F ran the race of her life in defeat in…

Happy Future Stars Friday!  Welcome to Future Stars Friday – we have five Breeders’ Cup races today featuring two year old fillies and colts.   Race 8 – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile – Grade I  One Mile and a Sixteenth on the Dirt for Two Year Olds  The Wine Steward: Just missed in the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland where he was bested by Locked (92 Beyer). That narrow loss was preceded by three straight wins to start his career which included wins in the Bashford Manor and New York bred Funny Cide Stakes. Steadily improving speed figs puts this one right there and his ability to rate helps as well.…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  11/3/2022      Featured track  Santa Anita      Race number  7      Race overview  A solid, if unspectacular renewal of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at 1-mile.       Pace  The speed is, for the most part, poorly drawn to the outside, which suggests they will be motoring early to get position for what is a very quick run to the first turn.      Trends  N/A       Best Play  #3 Buchu (6-1): Kee G2 winner didn’t break, lost several, lagged, tipped about 9-W on the far turn, levelled off midstretch, then…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  11/2/2022      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  4      Race overview  A relatively weak restricted MSW for 2yo fillies going 6 ½ Fs on the main track.       Pace  Things look honest, though not overly heated up front.      Trends  N/A       Best Play  #10 Mixer (3-1): Stalker broke slow on debut, settled midpack, then made a strong move before predictably tiring a bit late, so with an alert beginning off that experience builder, she should be primed.      Bet Types    Aggressive WP bet and single in…