Handicapping

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 2/28/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 14   Race overview A tremendous renewal of the G2 Foutain of Youth for 3yos—the best prep of the year—at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.   Pace It looks hot and it looks contested, as there are several who want to be on the lead or pressing it, many of which are stretching out for the first time as well. Trends Speed is never a bad thing on the main track, and this is a short stretch finish line race, though the pace just looks too hot to last. Best Play…

Happy Fountain of Youth Day!  There are eight graded stakes at Gulfstream Park card led by the Fountain of Youth and Davona Dale as the Kentucky Derby/Oaks preps continue to ramp up. The 50 points awarded to the winners of these two races should be sufficient to qualify for the Kentucky Oaks/Derby fields.  Trivia question: Who was Davona Dale?  Gulfstream Park Race 11 – The Davona Dale – Grade II  One Mile on the Dirt for Three Year Old Fillies   My Miss Mo:Won a state bred maiden race at 1/10 then moved to the Sandpiper Stakes where she was off the pace but did make up some ground late (54 Beyer). This is too tough.  Blazing Brat:Cross entered in the Busher Stakes for a new barn. Ran on the poly and turf until a start in the Sandpiper at Tampa. In that effort she was kept in…

“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…

Happy Risen Star Day! The Fair Grounds card is co-headlined by the Risen Star Stakes for three year old colts and the Rachel Alexandra Stakes for three year old fillies. The winners of these races will qualify for the Derby/Oaks field as both races award 50-25-15-10-5 points. Speaking of Rachel we should always remember her magical three year old campaign in 2009. She demolished fillies in the Kentucky Oaks by twenty lengths and then defeated three year old colts in the Preakness and the Haskell. But all of that was prelude to the Woodward Stakes where Rachel produced an all-time performance versus older males. She went fast early…