Author Archives: Brian Nadeau

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  3/4/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 12      Race overview:  An extremely strong renewal of the G2 Davona Dale, which stretches out the 3yo fillies to a one-turn mile.       Pace:  Oddly enough, for a 12-horse field full of talent and several who stretch out, there’s not a ton of sprint speed, which means you better be close early because it won’t be easy to pass late.      Trends:  You want to be close on the main regardless of the trip, but if a pace develops, you can close at this…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  3/2/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A tricky 7F low-level claimer sprinting on the main, with a lot of speed and trustworthy runners       Pace:  There’s a ton here, and none of it seems a cinch to last, as several come in off extremely poor runs.      Trends:  You want to be close sprinting on the main, though at 7Fs things can fall apart a bit if it gets too hot early.       Best Play:  #3 PURE SPEIGHT (5-1): Class dropper was facing 12.5ks on the…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  3/1/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A solid enough 40k MOC sprinting on the Tapeta, but it’s the class dropper #5 ALLEN DIGGS (5-2) that seems to hold all the aces for the white-hot connections of Irad and Tharrenos.       Pace:  It’s a Tapeta sprint, so there will be some heat, though #5 ALLEN DIGGS (5-2) seems to have the most, which is never a bad thing at this trip.      Trends:  As hinted at, speed plays sprinting on the Tapeta, as no matter how fast they…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/26/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 9      Race overview:  A solid AOC routing on the turf for f/ms, with a lot of quality, none more so than #10 DIAMOND HANDS (7-2).       Pace:  There’s enough here, as #7 Regal Realm (8-1) should be going, and #10 DIAMOND HANDS (7-2) will be going (in some form) from the outside draw as well.      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:  #10 DIAMOND HANDS…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/25/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 6      Race overview:  A very modest 12.5-10k N2L sprinting on the Tapeta with little options, and not much speed either, both of which should flatter #11 OAXACA (4-1).       Pace:  There’s not much here, which means tactical speed is at a premium, and #11 OAXACA (4-1) has plenty of it, and drew perfectly too.      Trends:  You need to be close in the Tapeta sprints, as horses just don’t make up significant ground, seemingly no matter how quick they go up front.      …

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/24/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A competitive 25k starter-allowance routing on the turf, with several different ways to go, though more than a few enter off suspect form, which is not the case with #7 DONTMESSWITHTESS (3-1).       Pace:  There’s enough here to keep things honest up front, and not let anyone get away with setting soft splits.      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:  #7 DONTMESSWITHTESS…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/23/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A deep and competitive 16k claimer sprinting on the Tapeta.       Pace:  There’s not as much early heat as you’d expect for a Tapeta sprint, so expect a bit of a bunched group, therefore tactical speed will be at a premium.      Trends:  That aforementioned tactical speed—at the very least—is preferred going one-turn on the Tapeta, as horses just don’t make up significant ground, no matter how fast they go early.       Best Play:  #1 ISLAND MAGIC (6-1): Endured a…

“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…