Author Archives: Brian Nadeau

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/26/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A competitive 6.25k claimer sprinting 6Fs on the main.       Pace:  It looks honest though not overly heated, as several want to be close, but none have true sprint speed either.      Trends:  You need to be close on the main track, as it’s hard to make up significant ground, especially sprinting.       Best Play:  #3 STARSHIP NUGGET (2-1): Dangerous pace player was 3rd to a few here (#8 and #4) but now goes off the claim for Figueroa (6-for-15/40%)…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/24/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 7      Race overview:  A seemingly modest 2yo MSW for Florida breds, which means a firster like #1 HIHELLOHOWAREYOU (5-2) could be tough.       Pace:  It should be honest, as expected favorite #1 HIHELLOHOWAREYOU (5-2) has worked lights out in the morning, though no one else (on paper) looks fast enough to run with her.      Trends:  You need to be close spiriting on the main track, as horses just don’t make up a ton of ground late.       Best Play:  #1 HIHELLOHOWAREYOU (5-2):…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/22/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 7      Race overview:  A strong AOC sprinting 7Fs on the main that marks the return of multiple graded stakes winner #2 Dr Post (7-5), but off a 13-month layoff, the time is right to beat him with the equally classy, and in-form #1 ENDORSED (2-1), who has a big recency edge as well.       Pace:  There’s plenty of speed to the outside, so things should be cooking up front.      Trends:  You need to be close on the main track, as it’s hard to…

PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date: 12/21/2022 Featured Track/Race: Gulfstream Park – Race 8   Race overview: As good a 10k claimer as they’ll run sprinting on the Tapeta, as there are countless who enter with winning credentials, which means value abounds.   Pace: It figures hot and contested, as several want to motor early. Trends: The Tapeta sprints are won by speed/stalkers, as coming from well out of it just doesn’t work.   Best Play: #1 COOP TRIES HARDER (8-1): Stalker should be close early and comes out of a key race for 20k, where he was a decent 5th, but note his other two…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/18/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 9      Race overview:  A wide open 25k 2yo MCL routing on turf (though there’s a good chance it’s moved to Tapeta), with several who have middling form and #5 PEOPLE FORCE (9-2), who has a ton of upside.       Pace:  It figures to be honest, as several want to be involved early, and have shown speed in sprints.       Trends:  No one is closing on the turf, but if this is transferred to Tapeta (a good possibility), stalkers have proven best.       Best…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/17/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A decent 16k MCL sprinting on the Tapeta with several different ways to go.       Pace:  It figures to be honest, as several want to be involved early.      Trends:  You need to be close sprinting on the Tapeta, as upwards of 90% of the races are won by speed/stalkers.       Best Play:  #7 RED GUN (3-1): Exits a strong debut 3rd for D’Angelo and now goes off the claim for Gaffney, who has a win here recently, and this…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/16/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A seemingly average 1m MSW for 2yos that looks ripe for a newcomer, which is exactly whet #2 EMPEROR’S APPEAL (5-2) is, off an impressive debut at CD.       Pace:  It figures to be honest, as several are stretching out after chasing going shorter, and none are a guarantee to get this trip.      Trends:  You need to be close going this one-turn mile, as horses just don’t make up a ton of ground if they are behind entering the far…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/15/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 5      Race overview:  A modest 8k N2L routing on the Tapeta, with very few who have shown winning credentials.       Pace:  Expect a tight pack, as there’s not a ton of true front-running speed entered, which means a stalking gear will come in handy.      Trends:  The Tapeta routes have trended towards stalker/closers, as speed has struggled holding—no matter how slow they go up front early.       Best Play:  #6 S. Silo (7-2): In-form runner, which is more than most here can say,…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/14/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A modest bottom-level claimer with a false favorite (#1 Ensign Parker 2-1) down inside, and a class-dropping (dirt) newcomer who looks poised to wake up in #7 OLD TOWN ROAD (9-2).       Pace:  There’s plenty here to keep #1 Ensign Parker (2-1) occupied early, which should flatter the chances of #7 OLD TOWN ROAD (9-2) late.      Trends:  You need to be close sprinting on the main track, as coming from too far out if isn’t a recipe for success.   …

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/11/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 5      Race overview:  A wide open 20k claimer routing on the turf.       Pace:  There’s enough here to suggest a stalking gear will come in handy.      Trends:  You want to be close on this turf course, especially at what can be a very sharp 1m trip, and saving ground is never a bad thing either.       Best Play:  #7 MIA AT MIDNIGHT (6-1) (turf only): Class dropper was facing much better at BAQ, has a local grass win, and lures Saez.   …