Nadeau: Churchill 6.26.26 Play of the Day

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/26/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 3   Race overview A compact but solid OC/N1X for 3yo fillies at 1 1/16 miles.   Pace It looks a bit on the slow side at this trip, though most entered have enough tactical speed to be close, in what should be a tight pack. Trends The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it on Saturday and Sunday. Best Play #2 ANSWERED PRAYERS (3-1): Stalker as a big edge on a few here in that she’s been tested (and…

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Nadeau: Churchill 6.25.26 Play of the Day

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/25/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  1       Race overview  A very meek bottom-level 12.5k claimer for fm3up at 6Fs.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as a pair of longshots on the inside want to be part of the pace early on.      Trends  The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it on Saturday and Sunday.      Best Play  #4 IMMINENT RISK (3-1): Turf-to-dirt runner is bred top and bottom for the main track, also goes second-off a long layoff, drops stiffly…

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Nadeau: Churchill 6.24.26 Play of the Day

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/24/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  5       Race overview  A predictably deep and competitive 50k claimer for 3up at 7Fs.       Pace  It looks honest, and potentially a bit heated, as more than a few want to be involved from the start.      Trends  The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it on Saturday and Sunday.      Best Play  #4 BANNED FOR LIFE (9-5): Sharp runner tried tougher on turf off-the-claim, which didn’t work, but he’s now back…

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Nadeau: Churchill 6.21.26 Play of the Day

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/21/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  5       Race overview  A modest 30k starter-allowance for 3up at 1 1/16 miles.       Pace  It looks honest and potentially crowded, as more than a few want to be involved early and often.      Trends  The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it over the weekend.      Best Play  #8 LAUGHNOWCRYLATER (2-1): Expected stalker was facing better when last seen in November, has trained forwardly for this, drew perfectly, and should sit the…

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Nadeau: Churchill 6.20.26 Play of the Day

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/20/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 3   Race overview A very solid restricted MSW for fm3up at 7 ½ furlongs.   Pace It’s a full field, with more than a few who want to be close early, so things look honest up front. Trends The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it over the weekend. Best Play #4 PASSIONFRUIT (4-1): Stretch runner closed nicely to be 2nd in her debut, figures a little tighter early on off that experience builder, and has as much upside…

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Nadeau: Churchill 6.19.26 Play of the Day

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/19/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 7   Race overview A very deep and competitive 20k claimer for 3up at 6 12 furlongs.   Pace There’s a ton here, as several entered want to roll early, and at a tricky and demanding distance, this could fall apart in the lane. Trends The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it over the weekend. Best Play #6 FORTY LOVE (5-1): Oaklawn invader goes off-the-claim for Harnandez and Amaty Racing, who were once a potent duo at Gulfstream and…

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Nadeau: Churchill 6.18.26 Play of the Day

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/18/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  6       Race overview  A very weak 12.5k MCL for 3up at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.       Pace  There’s not much here at all, so expect things to be slow early, and turn into a sprint off the far turn.      Trends  The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it over the weekend.      Best Play  #8 BOTH SIDES OF BAD (2-1): Stiff class dropper has been doing the turf…

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Nadeau: Churchill 6.17.26 Play of the Day

    ​“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  6/17/26      Featured track  Churchill Downs       Race number  5       Race overview  A deep and competitive 50k starter-allowance for 4up at 7 Fs.       Pace  It looks honest, as there are a few who want to be close early, but it doesn’t look overly fast either, so being able to lay close is an asset.       Trends  The main track continues to play on the fair side, and even had a slight off-the-pace feel to it over the weekend.      Best Play  #8 TARANTINO (9-2): Jacobson runner cuts…

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2026 Saratoga DePaula Play of the Day Bankroll

ENTRIES ARE CLOSED TEAM WILL BE NOTIFIED Exclusive SARATOGA SEASON-LONG 'PLAY of the Day' Bankroll / JULY 3 - SEPT 7, 2026 (46 DAYS) Sign up to be entered in our exclusive Saratoga season 'Play of the Day' Bankroll! Steve Byk and Kevin 'The Brooklyn Cowboy' Cox will offer up a 'Play of the Day' on OTB TV every morning during the Saratoga season. NEW THIS YEAR! In addition to the $100 wager placed on the handicapper's top play each day, there will also be $100 exacta wagers. $200 WAGERS EACH DAY: $100 top play horse ($50 win, $30 place, $20 show) $100 in exacta plays ($40 A/BC,…
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Nadeau: Churchill 6.14.26 Play of the Day

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 6/14/26 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 2   Race overview A modest marathon MSW for fm3up at 1 ½ miles on the turf.   Pace They’re going longggg here, so expect things to crawl early and pick up entering the far turn, and turn into a sprint from there. Trends They don’t run enough turf races here for there to be a true course profile, but overall things seem to play fair to all styles. Best Play #2 ELIDA’S ANGEL (5-2) (turf only): DeVaux filly was a closing 4th at 1 1/8 miles in her debut, where…

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