Handicapping Articles

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  9/24/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 7      Race overview:  An extremely weak 20k N3L for f/ms going 6 ½ Fs on the main.       Pace:  There’s not much here at all, so you better be close early.      Trends:  There’s been just four racing days, but overall, the main track has been on the fair side, with winners able to come from everywhere.       Best Play:  #1 Sister Kisses (2-1): Hawthorne invader looks spotted to score in this realistic spot off the Rosin claim (20%) after going 2-for-2 to…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  9/23/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 8      Race overview:  A solid renewal of the 300k Harrods Creek for 3yos going 7Fs on the main.       Pace:  There’s plenty of it to the outside, so things should be honest early.      Trends:  There’s been just four racing days, but overall, the main track has been on the fair side, with winners able to come from everywhere.       Best Play:  #3 Loyal Company (3-1): Godolphin homebred stepped up and ran well in the Ellis Park Derby over the funky 1-mile trip,…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  9/22/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 8      Race overview:  A competitive N1X for 3up going 6Fs on the main.       Pace:  The pace seems hot and competitive, as several want to motor early, especially because several of them drew wide too.       Trends:  There’s been just four racing days, but overall, the main track has been on the fair side, with winners able to come from everywhere.       Best Play:  #3 Mullikan (5-2): Expected stalker had a rough trip last time when he blew the break then rushed up…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  9/21/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 6      Race overview:  A full and seemingly competitive field of N1X f/m’s going 6Fs on the main.       Pace:  It looks hot and contested, as several entered want to be involved early and often, which means a meltdown late could be in the offing.      Trends:  There’s been just four racing days, but overall, the main track has been on the fair side, with winners able to come from everywhere.       Best Play:  #11 The Great Maybe (9-2): DeVaux comebacker hasn’t been…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  9/20/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 6      Race overview:  A very weak 30k N2L for f/ms going 7Fs on the main track.       Pace:  The pace seems on the modest side, so having tactical speed and the ability to lay close seems imperative.       Trends:  There’s been just four racing days, but overall, the main track has been on the fair side, with winners able to come from everywhere.       Best Play:  #6 Mean Sue (9-2): Stiff class dropper was facing much better when last seen in the…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  9/17/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 7      Race overview:  A seemingly very weak MSW for 2yos at 6Fs on the main track.       Pace:  There’s a slew of firsters, so things should be honest, if not on the heated side, up front.      Trends:  N/A       Best Play:  #6 Max’s Map (3-1): Cox firster is owned by the Albaugh’s, who have been potent with their 2yos over the years, and this son of Liam’s Map has worked forwardly for this, and, as important as anything, catches a group that…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  9/16/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Churchill Downs – Race 5      Race overview:  A middling 75k N2L for 3up going 7Fs on the main track.       Pace:  There’s very little here to keep #1 QUICK HAMMER (3-1) from making the front and controlling the early tempo.      Trends:  N/A       Best Play:  #1 Quick Hammer (3-1): Expected Lone F couldn’t make a dent against allowance runners at Ellis but meets some friends here, many of which are dead one-run closers, which gives him a huge tactical edge.      Bet Types:    Aggressive WP…