Handicapping Articles

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/28/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  6       Race overview  A seemingly very modest NYB MSW for 2yofs at 5 ½ Fs on the Mellon turf course.       Pace  There’s definitely some here, but there’s also a chance that #6 THE SUGARS (6-1) is faster than all of them.      Trends  There’s really nothing too conclusive to go on, but a firm, fast turf course, especially at this distance, is going to cater to speed more often than not.      Best Play  #6 THE SUGARS (6-1) (turf only): Speedster…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/25/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  A compact AOC for NYBs 3up at 7Fs on the main track.        Pace  There’s basically none here, so expect a tight pack that will sprint off the far turn.      Trends  There’s not much to go on, as the track has been in and out, condition-wise, on a daily basis, so continue to monitor the weather and how things are playing early on the card/in the week.      Best Play  #3 BOURBON CHASE (2-1): Maker returnee has…

Happy Travers Day!  This is an excellent renewal of the Mid-Summer Derby. We have four Grade I winners in the field – Dornach, Fierceness, Sierra Leone along with the filly Thorpedo Anna. She will attempt to become the first filly since 1915 to win the Travers – Lady Rotha won it via DQ that year.  The Sword Dancer comes up a bit short, but that’s a comment on the state of the older male turf division as much as anything. It does include two excellent Godolphin runners – Measured Time and Silver Knott. If they were coupled they would be 2/5 against this group.   Trivia Question:  Who was…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/24/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  12       Race overview  An absolutely sterling renewal of the G1 H. Allen Jerkens for 3yos going 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  It looks like #1 World Record (8-1) should be leading, but there are a trio of others who want to chase, and this is a race that traditionally throws down wild splits.      Trends  There’s not much to go on, as the track has been in and out, condition-wise, on a daily basis, so continue to monitor the weather…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/23/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  3       Race overview  A deep and competitive N1X for 3up going 1 3/8 miles on the inner turf course.       Pace  It’s a turf marathon, so expect things to be very tepid early, and turn into a sprint off the far turn.      Trends  N/A      Best Play  #2 HUNT BALL (5-2): Cody’s Wish’s little brother has found a home on turf and now adds blinkers, which should give him a bit more early focus, and from this ground-saving inside draw,…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/22/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  5       Race overview  A solid 35k N2L for 3up going 6Fs on the main track.       Pace  Things should be on the fast side, as there are more than a few who want to be involved early on.      Trends  There’s not much to go on, as the track has been in and out, condition-wise, on a daily basis, so continue to monitor the weather and how things are playing early on the card/in the week.      Best Play  #2 IMPROBABLE JOURNEY…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/21/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  7       Race overview  A deep and competitive 50k claimer for 3up at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.       Pace  There’s not much here, other than #7 Magnolia Midnight, so expect a bunched group entering the far turn.      Trends  There’s not much to go on, as the track has been in and out, condition-wise, on a daily basis, so continue to monitor the weather and how things are playing early on the card/in the week.      Best Play  #2…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/18/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  9       Race overview  A deep and competitive 14kN3L for 3up at 7Fs on the main track.       Pace  While it’s a full field, there’s actually not much here, so having the ability to lay close seems imperative.      Trends  There’s not much to go on, but the main track did seem to have an inside/speed feel to it Friday, so make sure to check the charts Saturday, and monitor things early Sunday as well.      Best Play  #8 Super Chief (7-2): Maker…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  8/17/24      Featured track  Saratoga       Race number  8       Race overview  A very solid N1X for 3up going 1 1/8 miles on the main track.       Pace  Expect it to be on the tepid side, especially at this demanding trip.      Trends  There’s not much to go on, as it rained again Thursday, so look at Friday’s results, as well as the early races Saturday to see if there’s any indication of how the main track might be playing.      Best Play  #6 ROCKETEER (9-2): Cox runner was just…