Handicapping Articles

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/12/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  5      Race overview  A competitive 12.5k MCL for 4up going 1m70 on the Tapeta.       Pace  Expect a bunched group, as there’s little speed here on paper, and several who want to stalk.      Trends  Stalker/closers tend to get the better of it routing on Tapeta, though if there’s been rain, it can tighten up and be a lot speedier (and inside as well).       Best Play  #1 AWESOME FIRST (5-1): Returnee hasn’t been out since July and has sprinted twice…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/10/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  7      Race overview  A competitive 20k claimer for f/ms going 1m70 on the Tapeta.       Pace  It should be honest, as more than a few want to be involved early.      Trends  Stalker/closers tend to get the better of it routing on Tapeta, though if there’s been rain, it can tighten up and be a lot more speedy (and inside as well).       Best Play  #7 SANDPIPER MEMORIES (9-5): Class dropper moved up in a big way off the Coy claim,…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/11/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  2      Race overview  A competitive Fl-bred AOC for 3up going 1 1/16 miles on the turf.       Pace  There’s not much here, which should allow #2 Treasure King (5-2) to make the front on the drop, and prove tough to catch.      Trends  Speed has been dominant on the turf, especially if it’s been firm, as horses struggle to make up significant ground.       Best Play  #2 TREASURE KING (5-2) (turf  only): Class dropper exits a much tougher open AOC, where…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/7/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  3      Race overview  A compact 50k N2L for f/ms going 5 ½ Fs on the Tapeta.       Pace  Things should be honest up front, as there are more than a few who want to be involved early.      Trends  Speed always plays on the Tapeta, especially sprinting, as horses rarely come from too far back.       Best Play  #1 GUNESH (2-1): Versatile sort has the speed to lead or sit close if someone else wants to motor, has been facing tons…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/6/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  11      Race overview  A very solid renewal of the Dania Beach for 3yos at 1m on the turf.       Pace  There’s not a ton here, which means #6 AIR RECRUIT (3-1) can either get loose, or set up shop outside the inside speed, which gives him a big tactical edge on the favorite, #10 Agate Road (2-1), who is drawn terribly and has no early speed either.      Trends  Speed has done well on the turf, especially when it’s firm, as…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/5/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  8      Race overview  An AOC for 4up sprinting 5 ½ Fs on the turf, in a race that looks destined to get the classy #8 Carotari (8-5) a long overdue win.       Pace  There’s not a ton for a turf sprint, so you better be close early.      Trends  Speed plays sprinting on the turf, especially when it’s firm, so stalker/closers are at a decided disadvantage.       Best Play  #8 CAROTARI (8-5) (turf only): Classy runner enters off a July…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/4/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  8      Race overview  A competitive OC/SAL for 3yofs going 5 ½ Fs on Tapeta.       Pace  It should be hot and contested early, as there’s a trio on the inside that all want to be involved up front.      Trends  You need to be close, at the very least, sprinting on Tapeta, as races rarely fall apart and into the lap of the closers.       Best Play  #5 DR. RAY D. (5-2): Stalked blasted MCL foes last time, goes OTC…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/1/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  5      Race overview  A slid AOC for 4uo going 1 ½ miles on the turf.       Pace  There’s not much here, so expect a bunched group and a sprint off the far turn, especially going this elongated distance.      Trends  Speed on the turf has been tough to reel in, and even though there’s been plenty of rain recently, things should be on the firmer side by Saturday afternoon.       Best Play  #4 Ocala Dream (5-2) (turf only): Class dropper has…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/31/2023     Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  5      Race overview  A modest 50k MOC for 2yos going 1 1/16 miles on the turf.       Pace  There’s not much here, aside from #10 Street Earnings (3-1), who should clear, though #6 MARCEAU (2-1) won’t let him get too far away early.      Trends  Speed on the turf has been tough to reel in, and even though there’s been plenty of rain recently, things should be on the firmer side by Saturday afternoon.       Best Play  #6 MARCEAU (2-1) (turf…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/28/2023     Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  3      Race overview  An extremely competitive 35k N2L for f/ms going 1-mile on the main track.       Pace  There’s not much here, so expect a tight group to the far turn.      Trends  Speed sprinting is always a good angle, as horses just don’t come from too far back on the main, though with several off tracks over the past few weeks, there’s not a ton to lean on.       Best Play  #7 Silvia V’s Heroes (2-1): Class dropper has been…