Handicapping

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/26/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A solid 16k claimer for 3yos sprinting on the Tapeta, with several dropping in class out of tougher heats.       Pace:  Expect a compact group, as there’s not a lot of defined front-running true speed signed on.      Trends:  Speed is tough to down sprinting on the Tapeta, so at the bare minimum you better be close early on.       Best Play:  #6 CLASSY BOY (4-1): Stiff dropper also regressed last time off the big MCL score two-back, but this…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/25/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A solid Florida-bred AOC routing on the turf, though NY invader #7 JAVA BUZZ (9-5) seems to hold all the aces.       Pace:  There’s not much here to keep #7 JAVA BUZZ (9-5) from making the point and widening from there, especially since her stablemate (#8) seems to be the only other potential deterrent.       Trends:  Speed has been dominant on the turf, as horses up front just aren’t coming back, especially if they are allowed to set their own…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/22/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 9      Race overview:  A strong AOC for older f/m sprinting 6Fs on the main track.       Pace:  There’s oddly not a ton here, which means being able to be close early is preferred.      Trends:  Speed on the main is preferred, especially going this short.       Best Play:  #6 BLUEFIELD (2-1): Pace presser drew perfectly for her style and enters off a strong 2nd last time to a stakes-calibur horse, and today she catches a slew coming in off long layoffs, meaning they…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/21/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 9      Race overview:  A strong AOC going 6Fs on the main for older runners, in a race where you can go any number of different ways.       Pace:  It looks hot and contested, to be kind, as basically everyone wants to be involved in some way, shape, or form.      Trends:  Laying close on the main is preferred, but a race can still fall apart under the right set of flow circumstances.       Best Play:  #5 THINKABOUTIT (6-1): Stalker goes off-the-claim for Handal,…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/20/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 6      Race overview:  A slid 50k claimer on the turf, though the back class of #7 THERAPIST (5-2) seems poised to show itself.       Pace:  It should be honest, as there are there are a few who want to be involved in the early splits.      Trends:  The turf has been playing fair for the most part, though speed is never a bad thing on this course.       Best Play:  #7 THERAPIST (5-2) (turf only): Cagey veteran dropped and added blinkers and looked…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/19/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 5      Race overview:  A seemingly wide-open 10k claimer routing on the Tapeta, though there might be more than meets the eye under the surface.       Pace:  It looks on the moderate side, so tactical speed is a plus.      Trends:  Stalker/closers usually rule the day routing on the Tapeta, as early speed—no matter how slow they go—usually comes back.       Best Play:  #9 OFFICER COUNTRY (8-1): Class dropper was facing 20ks in his two Tapeta routes and ran big figures (for these), but…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/15/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 6      Race overview:  A solid MSW sprinting 6Fs on the main for newly turned 3yo fillies, though it doesn’t look like the saltiest group either.       Pace:  It figures solid, as the firster #5 LADY IRVINE (8-1) has huge works, and possibly a few other firsters will want to be involved early as well.      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…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/14/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A solid MSW routing on the turf.       Pace:  There’s some who want to be close early but none have the gate speed of #2 EXPAND THE MAP (5-2), who brings some heavy speed down from NY and looks to be a Lone F.      Trends:  Speed has done very well on the turf, short or long, as horses have struggled to make up significant ground and front runners have been carried home, in some circumstances.       Best Play:  #2…

“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.      …