Handicapping Articles

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/26/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 7      Race overview:  A graded stakes caliber AOC for 3up sprinting 5 ½ Fs on the turf.       Pace:  For a full field of turf sprinters, especially this kind, there’s not an abundance of early speed, which means you should be close early.      Trends:  The turf has been a mixture of firm, giving, and OFF, so it’s tough to discern anything, though when it’s on the firm side, you need to be close early on, as making up significant ground isn’t easy.   …

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/23/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 8      Race overview:  A deep and competitive full field of 32k claimers routing 1-mile on the inner turf.       Pace:  It looks honest enough, especially since there are more than a few inside who want to be involved early and often.      Trends:  Tactical speed will always play on the turf, as it’s often tough to make up significant ground.       Best Play:  $4 TASS (9-2) turf only): Stalker was the only one to make up any significant ground last time at Belmont, should…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/22/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 5      Race overview:  A modest N1X sprinting 7Fs on the main for f/ms.       Pace:  On paper there’s not a ton here, though the inside few want to be involved, which means they could hook up early and often.      Trends:  Tactical speed always plays on the main, though at this 7F trip, speed is more apt to come back a bit.       Best Play:  #6 HUNTRESS FOR HIRE (3-1): Rousing MSW winner comes in with a world of confidence after finally breaking…

Happy Coaching Club American Oaks Day!  It is ladies’ weekend at the Spa with all three graded stakes for the fillies and mares.  Today’s card is headlined by the Grade III Caress Stakes and the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks. Sunday’s card features the Shuvee Stakes with Clairiere and Nest facing off.  Trivia question: The CCA Oaks began running in 1917 but was moved to Saratoga in 2010. Which trainer has won the most renditions of the CCA Oaks since it has been run at the Spa? Answer below.  Race 6 – The Caress Stakes – Grade III  Five and a Half Furlongs on the Mellon Turf…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/21/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 10      Race overview:  A deep and competitive field of NYB MSWs going 1 1/16 miles on the Mellon turf.       Pace:  It’s a bit muddles, as there are some firsters, along with stretch out sprinters, which suggests it could be honest.      Trends:  Tactical speed will always play on the turf, as it’s often tough to make up significant ground.       Best Play:  #3 MISSION HILL (12-1) (turf only): Mott runner was an even 6th turn sprinting on debut at Belmont, for a barn…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/20/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 6      Race overview:  A deep field of 2yofs MSWs sprinting 5 1/2Fs on the turf.       Pace:  It’s a turf sprint with plenty here, especially since there are a slew of first-time starters who will likely want to show speed.      Trends:  You need to be close in the turrf sprints, as coming from far back just isn’t a great recipe for success.       Best Play:  #3 KODIAK WINTERGREEN (3-1) (turf only): Loved the Bel debt, where she kicked on nicely late behind a…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/19/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 9      Race overview:  A typically strong N1X for f/ms sprinting 5 ½Fs on the grass.       Pace:  It’s a turf sprint with plenty of talent, several of which want to motor early, so things will be fast and contested up front.      Trends:  You need to be close in the turrf sprints, as coming from far back just isn’t a great recipe for success.       Best Play:  #3 CADENCIA (3-1) (turf only): Expected pace presser almost got the mile last time with a huge…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  7/16/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Saratoga – Race 4      Race overview:  A competitive field of 14k N3L’s sprinting 6Fs on the main.       Pace:  It looks honest, as there are more than a few who want to be involved early, though none of them a pure burners either, so it doesn’t have the feel of a race that will fall apart late.      Trends:  It’s early in the meet, so there’s nothing current to gleam, though as a general rule of thumb, being close early on the main track is always a positive. …