Author Archives: Brian Nadeau

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 2/27/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 3   Race overview A competitive 8k N3L for 4up at 6 furlongs on the main track.   Pace There’s not much here, so the ability to lay close early is an edge. Trends Speed is going to play sprinting on the main track, though it’s noteworthy the inside has not been as dead as it was last month. Best Play #3 CAPTAIN EDDIE (2-1): Tapeta/turf runner has only been on the main once, and it was over a year ago, but he’s tons better now, drops in class too, and meets a…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 2/26/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 6   Race overview A competitive 30-35k MCL for 4up at 6 furlongs on the main track.   Pace It looks honest enough, and potentially crowded up front, as four of the six entered want to be close early. Trends Speed is going to play sprinting on the main track, though it’s noteworthy the inside has not been as dead as it was last month. Best Play #4 STEP SLOW (5-2): Class dropper also returns to the main track, where he was a strong 2nd at the level three-back, and both his races…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 2/22/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 10   Race overview A deep and competitive MSW for fm4up at 1-mile on turf.   Pace It seems honest on paper, as there are a slew stretching out, several of which showed some semblance of speed sprinting. Trends The turf isn’t the paved highway it was earlier in the meet, but it still plays to speed, so you need to be able to lay close early. Best Play #4 ILLUMINATIRCE (9-2) (turf only): Returnee hasn’t been out in over 14 months and returns for Engler (she was with Motion), but…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 2/21/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 12   Race overview A deep and competitive MSW for 3yo fillies at 7 ½ Fs on turf.   Pace It seems honest on paper, as there are a slew stretching out, several of which showed some semblance of speed sprinting. Trends The turf isn’t the paved highway it was earlier in the meet, but it still plays to speed, so you need to be able to lay close early. Best Play #5 LET’S GO BARBIE (4-1) (turf only): Second-time starter had plenty of trouble for Riley Mott in her debut…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 2/20/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 2   Race overview A solid 35k MCL for 3yos at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.   Pace There’s little to none here, so expect a tight group early that will sprint off the far turn. Trends The turf isn’t the paved highway it was earlier in the meet, but it still plays to speed, so you need to be able to lay close early. Best Play #1 VACATIONER (9-5) (turf only): Stiff class dropper was a close 3rd in his debut in a MOC 50k, so this group will…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 2/19/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 4 Race overview A very modest 12.5k N2L for 4up at 1m70yards on Tapeta. Pace It looks honest enough, as there are a few who want to be involved early, and a few others who want to be close early. Trends Tapeta routes aren’t as speedy as sprints, but it’s never a bad thing to be able to lay close early on. Best Play #1 ETON (7-5): Sizable favorite meets a group he should handle easily, especially since he’ll make his first start on the surface since the potent combo of…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/14/26      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  2       Race overview  A relatively modest 8k N3L for 4up at 1m70 yards at Tapeta.       Pace  There’s little on paper, so expect a tight pack that will sprint off the far turn, which means tactical speed, at the least, is at a premium.      Trends  Tapeta routes can tend to land on off-the-pace sorts a bit more, though tactical speed is never a bad thing.      Best Play  #5 RIVER OF TIME (8-5): Stretch out sprinter has won twice routing and was a good 3rd in his…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 2/13/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 4   Race overview A deep and competitive 25k MCL for 3yofs at 7 ½ furlongs on turf.   Pace There’s little on paper, so expect a tight pack that will sprint off the far turn, which means tactical speed, at the least, is at a premium. Trends The turf isn’t the paved highway it was earlier in the meet, but it still plays to speed, so you need to be able to lay close early. Best Play #1 ENSLEY (3-1) (turf only): MSW dropper lost all chance when push VERY…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 2/12/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 10   Race overview A very competitive 25k claimer for 4up at 1 1/16 miles on turf.   Pace It looks honest enough, as there are more than a few who want to be close and contesting things early. Trends The turf isn’t the paved highway it was earlier in the meet, but it still plays to speed, so you need to be able to lay close early. Best Play #5 BLUFF (4-1) (turf only): Improving sort makes the often pivotal third start off the long layoff, was a solid 2nd…

Play of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 2/8/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 9   Race overview A relatively modest OC20k/SAL12k for fm4up at 6 furlongs.   Pace It looks honest enough, as there are more than a few who want to be close and contesting things early. Trends The main track has had a dead rail for much of the meet, with runners routinely coming down the crown of the track and visually traveling better, though after some work early in the week, it did seem to be a bit better inside Thursday. Best Play #5 SADIE THE GOAT (8-5): CD invader was a private…