Handicapping

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/1/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  5       Race overview  A deep and competitive 35k MCL’er for 3yos at 5 ½ Fs on Tapeta.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as more than a few who have shown early speed, and at this trip, you have to think others will want to as well.      Trends  Speed plays sprinting on Tapeta, as races rarely fall apart in the lane, so tactical speed should be viewed a as a premium.      Best Play  #2 AYMAN (5-2): Dirt-to-Tapeta runner…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/29/24      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  9       Race overview  A strong 100k overnight handicap for 3upfm at 1 1/8 miles on Tapeta.       Pace  It looks on the slow side, as there’s very few with early speed, which means #7 SAND AND SEA (9-5) should be able to make the front without much difficulty.      Trends  Speed struggles a bit more routing on Tapeta, but class horses can see it out on the front end.      Best Play  #7 SAND AND SEA (9-5): Local lover (3-for-5)…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/28/24      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  2       Race overview  An extremely weak 12.5k MCL for fm3up at 5 ½ furlongs on Tapeta.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as more than a few on the inside want to be involved and close early.      Trends  Speed plays sprinting on Tapeta, as races rarely fall apart in the lane, so tactical speed should be viewed a as a premium.      Best Play  # BAM BAM (8-5): Cutback sprinter made the lead routing last time and tired, drew…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/27/24      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  3       Race overview  An extremely weak 12.5k MCL for fm3up at 6 furlongs.       Pace  There’s not much here, so expect a tight pack that will turn into a sprint off the far turn.      Trends  Speed plays sprinting on Tathe dirt, as races rarely fall apart in the lane, so tactical speed should be viewed a as a premium.      Best Play  #2 SHILOH (7-5): One of the few in-form runners now has Irad riding, so they’re hoping today…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/26/24      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  7       Race overview  A solid OC/SAL for 3up at 5 ½ furlongs on Tapeta.       Pace  There’s plenty here, as more than a few want to be on or just off the early lead.      Trends  Speed plays sprinting on Tapeta, so you better be able to lay close early, as things rarely fall apart late.      Best Play  #6 DOCTOR JEFF (2-1): Stalker takes a huge drop after facing tons better—and running well—in both Tapeta starts, drew perfectly, and…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/22/24      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  10       Race overview  A deep and competitive MSW for 2yofs at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.       Pace  It looks slow, even for a full field, which says #2 INALLPROBABILITY (3-1) should be able to shake loose early on the stretchout.      Trends  You want to have tactical speed, at the very least, on turf, as the course has played fast and firm and runners routinely zip to the front early and hold on late.      Best Play  #2…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/21/24      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  6       Race overview  A seemingly modest MSW for 2yos at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.       Pace  Things figure to be on the slow side early, as there are no apparent burners (on paper), nor do any of the firsters look overly fast.      Trends  You want to have tactical speed, at the very least, on turf, as the course has played fast and firm and runners routinely zip to the front early and hold on late.      Best…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/20/24      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  7       Race overview  a solid OC/SAL for 3upfm at 5 ½ furlongs on Tapeta.       Pace  There’s plenty here, as more than a few want to be involved early, so having a hint of a rating gear will help.      Trends  Tapeta sprints are routinely won on or just off the early lead, as speed plays, with outside paths preferred as well.      Best Play  #7 JOKES UP (2-1): Fawkes claim (20%) looks like a crafty one, as she’s 2-for-2…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/19/24      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  6       Race overview  A seemingly strong MSW for 2yo fillies at 6Fs on the main track.       Pace  There’s a slew of firsters here, so things should be honest early, especially with #2 DOMINANT DIVA (9-5) making her debut off a slew off wildly fast AM drills.      Trends  You need to have speed sprinting on the main track, as races are routinely won up front, with closers really up against it.      Best Play  #2 DOMINANT DIVA (9-5): Saffie…