Handicapping Articles

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/15/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Ellis Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A mixed bag of 3yo claimers going 6Fs on the main track, with several coming in off poor performances, which is not the case at all for #5 ATKINS (7-2).       Pace:  There’s no true speedster here, though several want to be close early, so the pace appears to be honest enough.      Trends:  They’ve only switched to The Pea Patch for two days of racing, and Sunday was run over a very sloppy track, so let’s take a wait-and-see approach…

Date:  6/11/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Belmont Park – Race 1      Race overview:  A relatively meek N1X going a mile on the Widener for fillies & mares, with very few who have any form or upside, which is not the case at all with #6 PARTY ON GIRL (3-1).       Pace:  It should be honest enough, as a few stretch out and have been chasing fast splits sprinting.      Trends:  The turf has been hard and fast, so the splits have been hot, and, for the most part, speed has held well.       Best Play:  #6 PARTY ON GIRL (3-1) (turf only): Stalker…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/10/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Belmont Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A deep and competitive, though seemingly modest, N1X sprinting 7Fs on the main.       Pace:  There’s isn’t any, with the exception of #6 BOUNCER (6-1), who dueled through wicked splits in his comeback and looks loose here.      Trends:  The main track has played fair, with winners able to utilize all running styles, and there has been very few days where the inside has been a consistent positive or negative—however, on a big day like this, it could very well…

Happy Belmont Day!  This is the best New York racing card of the year and yes, I see you Travers card.  This year it features nine graded stakes with six Grade 1s highlighted by the Met Mile and the Belmont Stakes as well as a great match up in the Ogden Phipps.  There are a series of special wagers offered on Belmont Day and one of them is a daily double on the Met Mile and Belmont Stakes. I’ll tackle those races and have some thoughts on the all Stakes late Pick 4 as well. Have at it!  Race 10 – The Metropolitan Handicap – Grade I  One…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/9/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Belmont Park – Race 9      Race overview:  A sterling renewal of the (now) 1 1/16-mile G1 Acorn for 3yo fillies, which includes Kentucky Oaks winner #6 Pretty Mischievous (2-1) and the freaky-fast #5 Munnys Gold (9-5).       Pace:  Munnys Gold will be zipping along in front, but both #2 Randomized and #7 Goodgirl Badhabits will try and keep her honest.      Trends:  The main track has played fair for the most part, with winners able to utilize all running styles, and there has been very few days where…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  6/8/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Belmont Park – Race 10      Race overview:  A meek state-bred MCL for fillies & mares sprinting 7Fs on the turf, with a very vulnerable favorite in #5 Robyn and Eli (2-1), who will be overbet even though she was very uninspiring in her return.       Pace:  There’s not much here, at least on paper, so expect things to be on the tepid side, with a bunched sprint to the finish in the cards.      Trends:  The turf has been firm and fast, and the fractional splits have followed…