Handicapping Articles

“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…

” PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 10/18/2022 Featured track Keeneland Race number 7   Race overview An extremely weak N1X routing 1 1/16 miles on the turf for f/ms.   Pace There’s not much here at all, and several deep closers are entered, so tactical speed should be at a premium. Trends N/A   Best Play #5 Hola Gata (2-1) (turf only): Brown filly had a tough beginning and trip at KD but still was up in time to break her maiden, catches a very meek crew on the rise, and should be closer early with a cleaner break, for a barn that has been…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/15/2022      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  8      Race overview  A seemingly very meek N1X for 3up going 6 ½ Fs on the main.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as there are more than a few who want to be close early, so a stalking gear should play well.      Trends  Through three days of racing, the main track played very fair, with winners coming from everywhere.       Best Play  #1 You Ain’t Poppn (3-1): Walsh runner looked good winning on debut, which is not something that’s typical…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/14/2022      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  1      Race overview  A modest 30k N2L for 3up going about 7Fs.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as there are more than a few who want to be close early, though none are burners either.      Trends  Through three days of racing, the main track played very fair, with winners coming from everywhere.       Best Play  #5 Creative Way (5-2): Rousing CD MCL winner now goes off-the-claim for Saffie (21%) and Ramsey, an owner who loves to win races at Kee,…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                       Date  10/13/2022      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  6      Race overview  A solid 16k claimer for 3up going 1 1/16 miles on the main.       Pace  It’s a full field with plenty of speed to the outside, and therefore a quick run to the first turn, so things should be very honest early.      Trends  Through three days of racing, the main track played very fair, with winners coming from everywhere.       Best Play  #2 Huge Bigly (4-1): Falcone claim (30%) goes for a potent new barn after facing much better…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 10/12/2022 Featured track Keeneland Race number 3   Race overview A very modest 30k N2L for f/ms going about 7Fs on the main.   Pace There’s not much entered, which suggests this will be a bunched group throughout, and turn into a sprint off the far turn. Trends Through three days of racing, the main track played very fair, with winners coming from everywhere.   Best Play #6 Miss Happy Tone (6-1): Class dropper has been freshened since running against tons better in April for Hartman, who is 33% off this elongated layoff, and this is as weak a group…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/11/2022      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  3      Race overview  A strong 10k starter-allowance for 3up going 7Fs.       Pace  It looks hot and contested, as several in here want to be part of things early, which means this could land in the lap of a stalker/closer in the lane.      Trends  Through three days of racing, the main track played very fair, with winners coming from everywhere.       Best Play  #4 Caramel Chip (3-1): Frequent flyer has been basically everywhere this year and all he does is win,…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/8/2022      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  8      Race overview  A very modest renewal of the 200k Indian Summer for 2yos going 5 ½ Fs on the turf.       Pace  It’s a full field of 2yo turf sprinters, so expect them to be moving up front, and things to be hot and contested.      Trends  N/A       Best Play  #2 Amidst Waves (3-1) (turf only): Two-time turf sprint stakes winner showed some versatility last time at Saratoga, when he came from off the pace, an asset that will work…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  10/7/2022      Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  4      Race overview  A solid N2X for f/ms going 1 1/16 miles on the turf.       Pace  There’s a bit of zip to the outside, so things should be honest, if not overly fast, up front.      Trends  N/A       Best Play  #5 Saffron Moon (5-2) (turf only): Brown miss was pace compromised a bit when 4th in her comeback at Saratoga, against a group better than this, so she should be primed over a course she’s 1-for-1 on, with a world…