Handicapping Articles

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/22/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A modest OC/SAL routing on the turf, which means it may be the perfect spot for a class riser like #4 CLOUD STORAGE (3-1).       Pace:  It looks on the slow side, so the ability to lay close is key.      Trends:  Tactical speed—at the very least—is preferred on the turf, as horses just don’t come from too far back to win.       Best Play:  #4 CLOUD STORAGE (3-1) (turf only): Sharp MCL winner really took to the turf, as…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/19/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A modest 8k N2L routing on the Tapeta, with a few sketchy proven runners, which means the class riser #9 BELLA MIURA (4-1) has a big chance to win right back.       Pace:  Expect a bunched group, as there’s not a ton of true early speed.      Trends:  Stalker/closers have been the way to go routing on Tapeta, as horses in front early—no matter how slow they go—have trouble lasting late.       Best Play:  #9 BELLA MIURA (4-1): Rousing MCL…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/18/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 10      Race overview:  An odd AOC on the turf, as the entire field are Tapeta runners with very little turf form, with the exception of #3 EXCHANGE DAY (7-2), who has two local wins.       Pace:  It’s a turf sprint, so they’ll be moving early, though how many will be vying up front remains to be seen.      Trends:  Tactical speed—at the very least—is preferred on the turf, as horses just don’t come from too far back to win, especially sprinting.        Best…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/17/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 8      Race overview:  A solid 16k routing on the turf, though #4 SELFMADE (3-1) seems to hold all the aces on the stiff class drop.       Pace:  It should be very honest, as several in here have shown a penchant for running on, or just off, the early lead.      Trends:  Typically speed has held well on the turf, especially if a horse is able to shake loose early (which doesn’t seem likely here).       Best Play:  #4 SELFMADE (3-1) (turf only): Aforementioned…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/16/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 5      Race overview:  A strong MSW routing on turf for 3yo fillies with several top barns that have runners eligible to make a dent, though it’s the invader #4 GALILEO’S JEWEL (4-1) who looks primed.       Pace:  It should be honest, as a few have show speed and a few more stretch out and will see a first turn for the first time.      Trends:  Tactical speed—at the very least—is preferred on the turf, as horses just don’t come from too far back to…

“Play of the Day” by Brian Nadeau Date: 2/15/2023 Featured Track/Race: Gulfstream Park – Race 5   Race overview: A very good 35k claimer sprinting on the turf that could go any number of different ways.   Pace: They’ll be moving early, as several in here want to be on or just off the early lead. Trends: Speed plays sprinting on the turf, so at the very least you better be close early since horses just don’t come from far back late.   Best Play: #6 TOUGH CHARLIE (5-1) (turf only): FG invader has big turf sprint form, drew perfectly for his pressing style and it’s significant that…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/12/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 6      Race overview:  A deep and competitive AOC sprinting on the main for older, in a race where you could go any number of different ways.       Pace:  There’s not much here, which means if #7 KING CAB (8-1) can break running, he should be loose.      Trends:  Speed plays on the main, especially sprinting, so you don’t want to be too far off of it early.       Best Play:  #7 KING CAB (8-1): Talented speedster had a nightmare trip last time, when…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/11/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 9      Race overview:  A strong AOC routing on the turf doe 3yos, with several lightly raced and talented sophomores entered.        Pace:  It looks hot and contested, as several here have shown the affinity for running clos early, including a pair of stretch out sprinters.      Trends:  You don’t want to drop out the back on the turf, as speed plays, so at the very least you better be able to lay midpack early.       Best Play:  #3 SENDERO (5-1) (turf only):…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/10/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 5      Race overview:  A very solid OC/SAL sprinting 5Fs on the Tapeta, with several who have run winning races at the level of late.       Pace:  They’ll zip early at this trip, so expect a hot and contested pace.      Trends:  Speed is tough to rundown sprinting on the Tapeta, so at the very least you need to be able to lay close early.       Best Play:  #8 URANIUM (3-1): Expected pace presser drew well for his style and was a ton the…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/9/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A modest 10k N2L sprinting on the main track.       Pace:  There’s not a ton here, which means #4 NATURE BOY (5-2) looks poised to dominate on the rise.      Trends:  Speed plays sprinting on the main, as horses rarely come from too far back.       Best Play:  #4 NATURE BOY (5-2): Class riser fried everyone last time and was split by two closers, and while the winner ran off the screen, note this one was well clear of 3rd,…