Handicapping Articles

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/20/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  6       Race overview  A seemingly modest NYB MSW for 2yos at 5 ½Fs on the Mellon Turf.       Pace  There’s a full field, with several firsters, so you have to think things will be hot and contested up front.      Trends  A fast and firm turf course has played to speed, so if the forecast is dry, don’t expect much to change.      Best Play  #6 TICKET TO RIDE (5-2) (turf or dirt): The horse to beat was a…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/17/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  7       Race overview  An extremely watered down 12.5k starter-allowance for fm3up at 7fs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest, though not overlay fast, as there are more stalker/closers than speed types.      Trends  A fast main track Friday was all speed, so monitor Saturday, as things are likely turning back to the norm.      Best Play  #6 SPIRITUAL LADY (2-1): Class dropper just won a 20k starter, meets easier here, drew perfectly, and has a pressing…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/16/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  12       Race overview  A deep and competitive, albeit relative modest, N1X for NYBS at 5 ½ furlongs on the Mellon Turf Course.       Pace  There’s really none here, except for #1 SPOKEN BLUNTLY (9-2), which gives him a huge tactical edge.      Trends  A fast and firm turf course has played to speed, so check the weather Friday and Saturday, as any moisture could literally dampen the pick’s winning chances.      Best Play  #1 SPOKEN BLUNTLY (9-2) (turf only):…

Happy Alabama Day  We get the re-match between Good Cheer and La Cara as they co-headline the Alabama field. Good Cheer was the leader of this division culminating with a Kentucky Oaks victory. But her seven race win streak was ended in the Acorn by La Cara. They meet again today. But don’t sleep on Nitrogen who is looking for a breakthrough on the dirt.  Trivia Question: What is the oldest stakes race in America for three year old fillies?  Race 9 – The Skidmore Stakes   Five and One Half Furlongs On the Mellon Turf for Two Year Olds  Schwarzenegger: Was cross entered in a MSW on Thursday,…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 8/15/25 Featured track Saratoga Race number 7   Race overview A solid OC50k/SAL50k for 3yo fillies at 6 ½ Fs on the main track.   Pace There’s a ton of it here, as more than a few want to go early, and at this tricky distance, that means things could fall apart in the lane. Trends The main track continued to play more to off-the-pace runners last week, continuing a trend that (you would think) may turn soon. Best Play #7 HEY COOKIE (7-2): Monmouth invader aired at the shore against older from off-the-pace, so her running style fits here,…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/14/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  1       Race overview  A competitive MSW for fm3up at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.       Pace  These 1 1/8-miles main track routes usually crawl early, so expect a bunched group that will sprint off the far turn.      Trends  The main track continued to play more to off-the-pace runners last week, continuing a trend that (you would think) may turn soon.      Best Play  #3 DANZIT (9-5): Pletcher charge was a solid 2nd to an easy winner…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/13/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  7       Race overview  A modest 17.5k N2L for fm3up at 6 ½ furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It looks hot and contested, as there is a trio who want to be involved early, which suggests this could fall apart in the lane.      Trends  The main track continued to play more to off-the-pace runners last week, continuing a trend that (you would think) may turn soon.      Best Play  #7 MELLE MEL (6-5): Stiff class dropper has…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/10/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  1       Race overview  A solid MSW for 3up at 1-mile on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest, though not overly fast, as this is a tricky trip on the main track, and there are no real burners signed on, but a few who want to be close early.      Trends  The main track continued to play a bit more to off-the-pace runners on Wednesday and Thursday, a trend that is worth monitoring as the better races loom on…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/8/25      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  9       Race overview  A solid 32k claimer for 3yos at 6Fs on the main track.        Pace  It looks on the tepid side, as there are no pure sprint speeds signed on, so expect a bunch group, while giving those with tactical speed an edge as well.      Trends  The main track, in an odd and surprising twist, played strongly to outside stalker/closers Saturday and Sunday, so it’s worth monitoring after the two-day break.      Best Play  #7 BACKTRACK (7-2):…