Handicapping

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 12/23/2023 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 9   Race overview An extremely deep and competitive renewal of the G3 Sugar Swirl for f/m 3up going 6Fs on the main track.   Pace It looks honest, and potentially hot and contested, as there are more than a few who want to motor early on. Trends You want to be close on the main, as horses just won’t loop the field, especially going this short, unless there’s a complete meltdown.   Best Play #2 MY DESTINY (6-1): Stalker got caught up dueling last time at MVR but won’t pull that trip…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 12/22/2023 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 5   Race overview A solid 25k claimer for f/m 3up going 1-mile on the turf.   Pace Expect a tight group and a sprint off the far turn, as there’s very little, if any, true speed signed on. Trends Speed has done very well on the turf, so at the very least, a tactical gear is preferred, as horses just aren’t going to come from too far back, unless there’s a real meltdown.   Best Play #2 FOUNDER’S DAY (5-2) (turf only): Class dropper has been facing better on turf, is back…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 12/21/2023 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 7   Race overview A very competitive OC/SAL for 3up at 7Fs on the main track.   Pace It should be fast, as class riser #1 Sogno Di Campione (7-2) will go early, and there are others who won’t let him get too far ahead, including #5 SIR OLLIE (2-1) Trends You want to be close on the main, though at 7Fs speed horses don’t quite have the edge they do going shorter.   Best Play #5 SIR OLLIE (2-1): Pace presser has been freshened and owns the best form here, and should…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/17/2023     Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  2      Race overview  A solid 35k MCL for 2yos going 5 ½ Fs on the Tapeta.       Pace  There’s not much here to prevent #2 SOUPER CRUNCHY from taking the lead at the start on controlling things from there.      Trends  Speed sprinting on the Tapeta is always lethal, especially when the track tightens up after it’s been raining, and there’s been plenty of that all week in Hallandale Beach.       Best Play  #2 SOUPER CRUNCHY (5-2): MSW dropper for…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 12/16/2023 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 9   Race overview A competitive 35k claimer for 3up going 6Fs 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.   Best Play #4 CELESTIAL GLAZE (9-5): Class dropper has been facing much better, has the speed to lay close early, and it’s significant that Hurtak reaches out for Irad to ride. Bet Types Aggressive win bet and single in the late…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/15/2022      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  7      Race overview  a somewhat modest AOC for 3yo fillies going 1-mile on the turf.       Pace  There’s none here to keep #7 San Pantaleo (2-1) from making the front and widening from there.      Trends  Speed has dominated so far on the turf, as horses who have been able to make the front have been tough to reel in.       Best Play  #7 SAN PANTALEO (2-1) (turf only): Sharp MSW turf sprint winner at Aqu has the perfect running style…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/14/2023     Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  9      Race overview  A very competitive 25k MCL sprinting 5Fs on Tapeta.       Pace  It looks a bit on the tempered side, especially for a Tapeta sprint, as there’s not a ton of true gate speed entered, which means a tight group to the far turn seems likely.      Trends  You better have tactical speed at the very least in Tapeta sprints, as horses just won’t come from too far off the pace.       Best Play  #3 BE LUCKY (5-2): MSW…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 12/10/2023 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 10   Race overview A competitive 25k claimer for 3up going 7Fs on the main.   Pace There’s plenty here inside, so a stalking gear, and/or outside attack post would work, which is what #7 SOGNO DI CAMPIONE (5-2) has. Trends Speed sprinting is never a bad thing, but once you stretch out past 6Fs, things can temper a little, especially if it’s contested early.   Best Play #7 SOGNO DI CAMPIONE (5-2): Versatile sort was doing the Tapeta thing at PID but has plenty of proven dirt form, drew perfectly for the…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 12/9/2023 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 2   Race overview A very strong AOC (25k/N1X) for 3up going 1-mile on the turf.   Pace It looks honest enough, and potentially even a tad fast, as there’s more than a few here who want to be close early on. Trends It’s very early in the return of the newly rebuilt turf course, with only two days of racing so far, but it’s pretty clear not much will change, and that speed is always going to be an advantage.   Best Play #7 HEADLINE NEWS (6-1) (turf only): Lightly-raced runner beat…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/8/2023      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  9      Race overview  A solid 35k claimer for 3up going 1-mile on the turf.       Pace  There seems to be more than enough here to tilt this to the stalkers who can lay close and get first run.      Trends  It’s very early in the return of the newly rebuilt turf course, with only two days of racing so far, but it’s pretty clear not much will change, and that speed is always going to be an advantage.       Best Play …