Brian’s Derby Preps: The Lexington

You know how every week I remind you that you can check out Brian’s handicapping for NYRA races at Horseplayernow.com?  That he participates in a live chat about three-year-olds every Friday at 2pm?  He also participates in chats on Saturdays during the Derby preps, and if you’d been listening last Saturday, you’d have heard him…

Brian’s Derby Preps: The Arkansas Derby

Oaklawn may not have gotten Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra Friday in the Apple Blossom, but they did get a pretty solid renewal of the Arkansas Derby. The newly minted Grade I has a trio of top Kentucky Derby contenders in Rule, Noble’s Prospect and Dublin, and there are some decent new shooters looking to make…

Brian’s Derby Preps: The Blue Grass

Don’t forget to activate your power horses for this week’s preps, and if you want a little more of Brian’s handicapping, he talks about the NYRA races every Friday at Horseplayernow.com.  He’ll be participating in “Countdown to the Crown” live chats every Friday at 2 pm, accessible from the main page of the site, chatting for…

Brian’s Derby preps: The Wood Memorial

With three preps this weekend, we’ll space out the analysis, starting today with Brian’s look at the Wood Memorial. Don’t forget that you can check out Brian’s handicapping for NYRA races at horseplayernow.com. He’ll also be participating in “Countdown to the Crown” live chats every Friday at 2 pm, accessible from the main page of…

Brian’s Derby preps: The Whirlaway and the Bob Lewis

Some Derby notes: Don’t forget that you can check out Brian’s handicapping for NYRA races at Horseplayernow.com. He’ll be participating in “Countdown to the Crown” live chats every Friday at 2 pm, accessible from the main page of the site, chatting for an hour about anything and everything for three year olds. And if you…

Brian’s back!

A very warm welcome back to Brian Nadeau, who will once again guide Backstretch readers through the Derby trail, with insight and handicapping on all major Derby prep races. In addition to his work at the Saratoga Special and Steeplechase Times, Brian is now handicapping NYRA races at Horseplayernow.com. He’ll be participating in “Countdown to…

Brian’s Aqueduct Preview: Cigar Mile weekend

At the risk of scratching Teresa’s Aqueduct itch the wrong way, the Saturday after Thanksgiving usually signals the end of meaningful racing in New York until the Gotham rolls around the following March. The good news is that it always goes out with a bang, and this Saturday is no different. The traditional Aqueduct fixtures,…