Handicapping Articles

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 12/18/25 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 7 Race overview A solid Florida-bred AOC for fm3up at 5 ½ furlongs on Tapeta. Pace There’s plenty of early speed, as more than a few want to be involved early and often. Trends Tapeta 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 #7 TREE C’S KAI (5-2): Stalker drew a perfect outside attack post after a solid 3rd against two sharp gals, gets a big jock switch to Velazquez,…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/14/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  6       Race overview  A relatively meek 17.5k N2L for fm3up at 1-mile on turf.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as both #1 and #2 should be forward early, and may hook up into the first turn.      Trends  A fast and firm turf course is going to play to speed, so at the very least, you need to be close early, as races rarely fall apart.      Best Play  #7 SEEKING A PRAYER (8-5): In-from runner was just 2nd on Tapeta off…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 12/13/25 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 7   Race overview An extremely strong OC40k/SAL25k for 3up at 7 furlongs.   Pace It looks honest enough, as there are more than a few that want to be close early, and keep each other honest up front as well. Trends You need to be close in dirt sprints, even at this tricky distance, as races rarely fall apart in the lane. Best Play #1 PRINCIPITO (9-5): Stalker was facing much better the last three times he ran here, which included a 2nd in the Smile, as well as…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 12/12/25 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 6   Race overview A solid 25k MCL for 3up at 1-mile on the turf.   Pace It looks on the slow side, as there’s not much on paper, which suggests a bunched group to the far turn. Trends A fast and firm GP turf course can be a paved highway for speed, so at the very least, you need the ability to lay close early. Best Play #7 REPLEVIN (5-2) (turf only): MSW dropper also has the best route form here, was a strong 3rd in his last turf…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 12/11/25 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 4   Race overview A competitive state-bred AOC for fm3up at 6 ½ Fs on the main.   Pace It could be hot and contested, as both inside runners want to be on the lead, which suggests this could be won from a bit off the pace. Trends You need to be close in dirt sprints, even at this tricky distance, as races rarely fall apart in the lane. Best Play #6 VOLATILED (8-5): Stalker ran a career-best in her comeback when 2nd in a better and deeper race at…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 12/7/25 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 3   Race overview A solid bottom-level 12.5k MCL for 3up at 5 ½ furlongs on Tapeta.   Pace It looks honest and potentially crowded, as there are more than a few who want to be close and involved early on. Trends Tapeta sprints are won on the lead or by stalkers who can at least lay close, as those without early speed severely up against it. Best Play #1 JAKER (2-1): Saffie claim (29%) tries Tapeta after a pair of dirt sprints, has worked fast for this and got…

Happy Cigar Mile Day! And a Nod to the Fall Highweight This is the last big card of the year in New York with six stakes headlined by the Cigar Mile. The Remsen and the Demoiselle for two year colts and fillies respectively lead the undercard. While it’s a great card today we should acknowledge the loss of the Fall Highweight from the New York stakes calendar. The Highweight was a Grade III until 2023 and was contested as an ungraded event in 2024. Sadly, it was not on the stakes schedule this Fall. For a long time, the Highweight was the feature race on Aqueduct’s Thanksgiving Day…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 12/6/25 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 2   Race overview A very competitive 10k claimer for 3up at 1m70 yards on Tapeta.   Pace There’s literally none here, so expect a crawling, compact field early that will sprint off the far turn. Trends While Tapeta sprints typically all speed, routes can be difficult on the front runners, and conversely, stalkers/closers can get all the best of it, especially those rallying down the crown of the track. Best Play #2 DOWNING STREET (5-2): Class dropper has been facing tons better while holding his own and is clearly…

      “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/4/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  3       Race overview  A meek 8k N2L for fm3up at 5 furlongs so Tapeta.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as there are a trio (#3, #4, and #6) who all want to be involved early.      Trends  Tapeta sprints, especially the 5F ones, are won on the lead or by stalkers who can at least lay close, with those without early speed severely up against it.      Best Play  #5 PLUM IRISH (8-5): Stalker didn’t like the dirt but now gets back to Tapeta and drops from a…

    “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                   Date 11/30/25 Featured track Churchill Downs Race number 10   Race overview A deep and competitive 100k/N3X for 3up at 7Fs on the main track.   Pace It looks honest enough, as there are more than a few who want to go, including a pair drawn out wide and will need to be used early. Trends As it has all meet, a fast main track continues to play very fair, with winners employing all different running styles. Best Play #3 TAP INTO THIS (2-1): Streaking runner goes for his fourth straight for Asmussen, who gets aggressive here on…