Handicapping Articles

new  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/8/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 2      Race overview:  A decent 25k MCL sprinting on Tapeta, though it looks like #6 RAKA RAKA CRUZ (7-2) needs just clear sailing to post a win.       Pace:  There’s not a ton here, so expect a bunched group entering the far turn.      Trends:  You need to be close sprinting on Tapeta, as races rarely fall apart, nor do closers pass them all.       Best Play:  #6 RAKA RAKA CRUZ (7-2): Class riser likely needed his return and had a ton…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/5/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A modest 12.5k MCL routing on the Tapeta with a favorite (#8 Black Ice 6-5) that you have to try and beat.       Pace:  It doesn’t look overly heated, so expect a bunched field.      Trends:  The Tapeta routes play to stalker/closers as speed just has not held well, no matter how slow they go early.       Best Play:  #8 REBATE (6-1): Returnee was on the turf at Tampa but the Tapeta route here three-back was solid and fast (for…

Happy Holy Bull Day!  With the Big A closed today due to extreme cold our eyes turn to South Florida.  The top five finishers in the Holy Bull will receive Kentucky Derby qualifying points (20-8-6-4-2) – which is double the value that this race had last year.  Gulfstream Park Race 11 – The Sweetest Chant Stakes – Grade III  One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Turf for Three Year Old Fillies   Sweetlou’sgotaces: Broke her maiden going two turns by wiring the field in the Tepin Stakes the Big A going the two turn mile (84 Beyer).  That was her fourth career start, and she was still a…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/4/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 12      Race overview:  A relatively modest renewal of the G3 Holy Bull, in a race that is certainly there for the taking if someone pops up with a lifetime best—which is the hope with #1 LORD MILES (4-1).       Pace:  It doesn’t look overly heated, so expect a bunched field, with #6 Legacy Isle (7-2) leading the way.      Trends:  This is a short stretch/first finish line race, so once they hit the far turn, they don’t have far to go, which means you…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/3/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 5      Race overview:  A very competitive AOC for Florida breds routing on the turf.       Pace:  There’s not much here to keep #4 JUDGE JUDITH (12-1) from making the lead and slowing things down, which can be potent over this course.      Trends:  You want to be close on the turf, as speed has been carrying, but in this instance, it still looks like too much heat up front.       Best Play:  #4 JUDGE JUDITH (12-1) (turf only): Potential Lone F had a…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/2/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 9      Race overview:  A deep and competitive 20k claimer sprinting on the Tapeta.       Pace:  It should be honest, though it doesn’t look overly heated, so you want a runner with tactical speed, at the very least.      Trends:  You need to be close sprinting on the Tapeta, as races rarely come back—no matter how fast they go up front.       Best Play:  #8 THE PREDICAMENT (5-2): Pace presser drew perfectly for his style and enters off a rough trip late, so with…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/1/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 5      Race overview:  A very competitive OC/SOL routing on the turf that could go any number of different ways.       Pace:  It looks potentially heated on paper, as several come in off either wire-to-wire wins or pace pressing wins, so showing an ability to pass horses late is a big bonus.      Trends:  You want to be close on the turf, as speed has been carrying, but in this instance, it still looks like too much heat up front.       Best Play:  #7…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/29/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 11      Race overview:  A wildly competitive MSW routing on the turf—that just so happens to end the mandatory payoff Rainbow 6 as well.       Pace:  It looks on the tepid side, as there’s not much confirmed speed on paper, so laying close seems imperative.      Trends:  You want to be close on the turf, as horses just won’t close from too far back if they aren’t in contention entering the far turn.       Best Play:  #9 MRS. ASTOR (5-1): Exits a nightmare trip…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/28/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 13      Race overview:  A strong, competitive renewal of the Pegasus, a race where you could make a case for 6-8 different winners.       Pace:  It looks very sharp, as #5 Defunded is going, and with #6 Art Collector, #10 Cyberknife, and #11 Stilleto Boy all to his outside, things figure to be hot early.      Trends:  You need tactical speed routing on the main track, as it’s difficult to make up too much ground off the far turn if you’re not in contention entering…