Handicapping

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 2/5/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 5   Race overview A relatively meek OC/SAL for 3yofs at 1-mile on the turf.   Pace It looks very honest on paper, as there are more than a few who want to be close and potentially involved early. Trends The turf is always going to tilt towards speed, though it has tempered a bit this week, with more runners coming from off-the-pace than has been the norm at the meet. Best Play #5 CALL THE BULLPEN (9-5) (turf only): Dominant MCL winner rises in class but doesn’t meet much, will…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 2/1/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 9   Race overview A relatively meek 17.5k N2L for 4up at 1m on turf.   Pace It looks honest on paper, as there are more than a few who want to be close and potentially involved early. Trends The turf is always going to tilt towards speed, though it has tempered a bit this week, with more runners coming from off-the-pace than has been the norm at the meet. Best Play #2 OPERATION TORCH (9-5) (turf only): Stiff class dropper has faced tons better in his last two and should…

Happy Holy Bull Day! Derby preps are cranking up and Gulfstream Park hosts the Holy Bull for the three year old colts along with the Grade III Forward Gal for three year old fillies. Both award 20-10-6-4-2 points for the Kentucky Derby/Oaks. Trivia question: Who won the 2025 Holy Bull Stakes?   Gulfstream Park Race 10  The Forward Gal – Grade III Seven Furlongs on the Dirt for Three Year Old Fillies Music Burt: Broke her maiden at Churchill sprinting (69 Beyer) then moved to optional claimers and got the place money at Turfway on the poly (76 Beyer). Passing. Tessellate: Has hit the board in all five…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 1/31/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 7   Race overview A strong AOC for 4up at 1 3/8 miles on the turf.   Pace It’s unlikely they’ll be going fast at this elongated distance, so expect a tight pack that will sprint off the far turn. Trends The turf continues to play to speed, which means, at the very least, you need to be close entering the far turn. Best Play #10 WITHOUT (9-5) (turf only): Motion Euro import has been working in the AM with Pegasus Turf winner Test Score and has been holding his own,…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 1/30/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 1   Race overview A deep and competitive 25k MCL for 3yo fillies at 1M on the turf.   Pace It looks like #4 BINT MISCHIEF (3-1) will be on or just off the early lead, which gives her a huge tactical edge. Trends The turf continues to play to speed, which means, at the very least, you need to be close entering the far turn. Best Play #4 BINT MISCHIEF (3-1) (turf only): Stretchout sprinter has posted two strong turf works since being claimed, is bred top and bottom to…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 1/29/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 4   Race overview An extremely weak 17.5k MCL for fm4up at 1M on the turf.   Pace Expect a tight pack, as only longshot #2 Basilica Light (10-1) has any real speed early on. Trends The turf continues to play to speed, which means, at the very least, you need to be close entering the far turn. Best Play #1 THIRD KISS (9-5) (turf only): MSW dropper didn’t do any running in her turf bow here, but she broke from an impossible post that day, now draws inside, and…

Happy Pegasus Day!  Gulfstream Park hosts the first big day of racing of the year headlined by the $3 million Pegasus Invitational. Also on the card is the former Le Prevoyante Stakes which has been renamed for the late, great Christophe Clement. It’s a fitting honor given that Clement won the race six times. He should already be in the Hall of Fame – hopefully that honor comes soon, albeit posthumously.   Trivia Question: Which jockey has won the most Pegasus World Cups Invitational Stakes?  Race 12  The Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational  Stakes – Grade I  One Mile and a Furlong on the Turf for Four Year Olds and Upward   Test Score:Was consistent against three year olds hitting the board in seven of eight starts with three stakes wins including the Grade I Belmont Derby. Last out in the Hollywood Derby he finished third after being blocked (85 Beyer). Water is too deep today.  Program Trading:First off a year plus layoff he just missed…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 1/23/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 6   Race overview A slow group of 35k 3yo fillies at 6 furlongs on the main track.   Pace It looks honest but not too fast, as there are a few who want to be close early, but no confirmed true sprint speedsters either. Trends You need to be close on the main track, as dirt races are routinely won on, or just off the early lead. Best Play #7 PRACTICALLY FAMOUS (8-5): Well-drawn filly drops, is best on paper, has the speed to be involved throughout, and gets first-time…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 1/22/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 5   Race overview A relatively meek 8k N2L for fm4up at 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta.   Pace It looks honest but not too fast, as there are a few who want to be close early, but no confirmed speedsters either. Trends Speed isn’t as lethal routing on Tapeta, especially in a compact group like this, so expect a sprint off the far turn. Best Play #4 AMELIA (2-1): Turf MCL winner gets back to Tapeta, where she was a very fast (for this group) 2nd two-back, and a repeat…