Handicapping Articles

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 1/4/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 10 Race overview An extremely deep MSW for 3yo fillies at 1-mile on turf. Pace There are a slew of first-time starters here, and a few experienced runners who have shown speed, so things figure honest up front. Trends The turf has been a paved highway all meet, and with the rails out at a whopping 73’ here, you have to be able to lay close early. Best Play #5 MOHAWK MOON (9-2) (turf only): Walsh firster hasn’t missed an AM beat since coming to South Florida and was visually impressive…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 1/3/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 8   Race overview An extremely deep and competitive OC25k/N1X for 4up at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.   Pace It looks on the slow side, with just #9 a confirmed front runner, so at the very least, you better be able to stalk the pace early. Trends The turf has been a paved highway all meet, and with the rails out at a whopping 73’ here, you have to be able to lay close early. Best Play #5 GEORGE BRIGGS (4-1) (turf only): Brown charge has hinted at big…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 1/2/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 7   Race overview A solid field of OC20k/N1X for Florida breds 4up at 1m and 70yards on tapeta.   Pace It’s a tight field with little apparent speed on paper, save longshot #7, so things figure to turn into a sprint off the far turn. Trends Typically, the Tapeta routes can play a bit off-the-pace, though last week was all speed, so make sure to give the races a look Wednesday and earlier on the Thursday card. Best Play #2 UNCLE’S GOLD (7-5): Lightly-raced runner got to the Tapeta and…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 1/1/26 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 3   Race overview A modest 8k N2L for 4up at 1-mile on the main track.   Pace It looks honest, as there are a pair (#4 and #4) who want to be involved early. Trends You need to be close at this trip, as the races can often be spaced out when they hit the far turn, making it near impossible to make up ground through the lane. Best Play #2 STOP BEING GREEDY (2-1): Tactical sort stretches out after a useful 4th in his comeback from a June layoff…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 12/28/25 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 4 Race overview A competitive OC35k/SAL35k for 2yo fillies at 7 furlongs. Pace It looks honest enough, as several were close in their recent maiden wins, which suggests there could be a scrum for the early lead. Trends You need to be close in dirt sprints, as races are usually won by speed/stalkers, and rarely fall apart in the lane. Best Play #7 AUTHENTIC WAVE (2-1): Recent MSW winner has a massive class edge on these, as she meets five rivals who also just broke their maiden, but did so for…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 12/27/25 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 5 Race overview A wildly deep and competitive 10k claimer for 3up at 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta. Pace It looks like it should be honest, or potentially as, as there are more than a few who want to be involved early. Trends Tapeta routes play much more fairly than the sprints, and even tilt to the stalker/closers who can make up ground in the lane. Best Play #9 FRANK’S ART (4-1): Stiff dropper was 6th at big odds last time but faces much easier today, has a stalking/closing style that suits the…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 12/26/25 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 5 Race overview A solid 6.25k claimer for fm3up at 6 furlongs on the main track. Pace There’s not much here other than #1 CHAINA (9-5), who should be able to shake loose early. Trends You need to be close in dirt sprints, as races are usually won by speed/stalkers, and rarely fall apart in the lane. Best Play #1 CHAINA (9-5): Versatile miss got back to the main track and just-missed by a nose, and while she meets a tough customer (#3), she looks loose, and is also off-the-claim for Delgado (20%).…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 12/24/25 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 5   Race overview A deep and competitive OC 25k/N1X for fm3up at 5Fs on the turf.   Pace It’s a turf sprint, so it should be honest up front, as there are a trio (#5, #6, and #8) who want to be involved early. Trends Turf sprints are won on the lead, or by stalkers with the ability to lay close, as these rarely fall apart in the lane for the closers. Best Play #5 SHADES OF JADE (7-5): Sharp BAQ MSW winner comes in with a world of upside for…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 12/21/25 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 7   Race overview A stellar 6.25k claimer for 3up at 6 furlongs on the main track.   Pace It looks hot and contested, with both inside runners wanting to go early, and the heavy favorite #7 SWIRVIN (7-5) pressing too. Trends You need to be close in dirt sprints, as races are usually won by speed/stalkers, and rarely fall apart in the lane. Best Play #7 SWIRVIN (7-5): Stiff class dropper has been facing much better and more than holding his own, drew perfectly, and just seems spotted to pick…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 12/20/25 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 8   Race overview A solid Florida-bred AOC for fm3up at 6Fs on the main track.   Pace It looks hot and contested, so a rating gear seems imperative. Trends You need to be close in dirt sprints, as races are usually won by speed/stalkers, and rarely fall apart in the lane. Best Play #4 AIRDRIE HILL (2-1): Lynch filly didn’t miss a beat off an 18-month layoff when she easily won on Tapeta, which backed up her dominant dirt debut win here, and now, with that behind her, and…