Handicapping

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/13/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 6      Race overview:  A seemingly modest MSW sprinting 7Fs on the main for 3yo state breds, as several have been treading water at the level of late.       Pace:  It should be legitimate, as both #2 Fortheloveofart (6-1) and #3 DIAMOND COOL (5-1) want to be involved early.      Trends:  Speed plays sprinting on the main, so you want to be close early, though with three surfaces in use on a daily basis, it’s tough to get too good of a gauge.      …

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   1/12/2023 Gulfstream Park – Race 9   A solid MOC sprinting on the Tapeta, though the class-dropping #7 LAWFUL (3-1) figures tough against this crew.   there’s very little on paper, so expect a tight group throughout. Speed plays sprinting on the Tapeta, as the majority of the races are won by runners within 4 lengths at the pace call.   #7 LAWFUL (3-1): Class dropper was facing better on debut against open MSW runners for DeVaux, who is 26% with second-out maidens, and expect this one to be a lot closer early as well, as they won’t be going…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/11/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A decent low-level claimer sprinting on the main, though there seems to a lot of questions with several entered.       Pace:  There’s not a lot here, at least on paper, so being able to be close early should be a big help.      Trends:  Speed plays sprinting on the main, so you want to be close early, though with three surfaces in use on a daily basis, it’s tough to get too good of a gauge.       Best Play:  #2…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/7/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 10      Race overview:  An extremely strong and competitive AOC for older going a one-turn mile on the main track.       Pace:  It should be sharp early, with #1 Great King (8-1) going from the inside, but from there there’s not much, which means #7 PICKING UP PENNIES (6-1) can get a dream trip pressing from the outside.      Trends:  Speed is never a bad thing on the main track, so being close early is usually a big help late.       Best Play:  #7…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/6/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 8      Race overview:  A solid race for the Florida-bred AOC level, as there is some talent here, none more so than #4 FROSTED OATS (3-1), who may be poised for a strong 2023.       Pace:  There’s very little here, which suggests the fresh speed of #4 FROSTED OATS (3-1) will be on display, and figures to have her setting up shop on a loose lead.      Trends:  You want to be close on the turf, as horses just aren’t coming from too far out…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/5/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 8      Race overview:  A deep and competitive 35k claimer going 7Fs on dirt that has a potentially false favorite (#1 Collaborate 8-5), who is plunging in class and seems to be going the wrong way fast.       Pace:  Surprisingly, there’s not much here at all, which means early speed should be a big asset.      Trends:  As a general rule, you want to be close sprinting on the dirt, though the 7F races have a bit more potential to be won from off the…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/4/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 5      Race overview:  a very modest SOL routing 7 ½ furlongs on the turf for newly turned 3yos, with very few who have proven grass form.       Pace:  It figures to be on the tepid side, as not many have shown a lot of early lick, so tactical speed should be as a big asset.      Trends:  You want to be close on the turf, as horses just aren’t coming from too far out of it, especially at this shorter 7 ½-furlong trip.   …

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/1/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 9      Race overview:  A head-scratcher of a Mucho Macho Man for newly minted 3yos going 1m on the main, as it brings about a mixed bag trying to find their level and figure out if they belong on path to the Florida Derby.       Pace:  It looks honest and potentially contested, as this is a trip that’s new to most, a few of which are stretch out sprinters.      Trends:  You don’t want to drop too far out of it at this trip, as…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/31/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A relatively meek 35k claimer on the turf, with little proven form, save #3 CLASSIC LADY (5-2), who lays over these based on her recent efforts.       Pace:  There’s not a ton here, so tactical speed, at the very least, should be viewed at a premium.      Trends:  The turf has not been kind to closers, and horses with early speed have held very well.       Best Play:  #3 CLASSIC LADY (5-2) (turf only): Stalker has by far the best…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/30/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 6      Race overview:  A seemingly modest MOC sprinting on the main, with two firsters (#1 and #5) who could need this, and a slew of proven runners—aside from #6 MAMA MARIA (6-5)—who don’t inspire.       Pace:  It looks honest enough, as there are multiple runners who have shown a penchant for being on or just off the early lead.      Trends:  You need to be close sprinting on the main, as it’s tough to make up significant ground entering the far turn.      …