Handicapping

Play of the Day Race Date December 10, 2021 Track Gulfstream Park Race 7 Overview A stakes-caliber AOC with a G1 winner (#5 Drain the Clock 8-5) and several others who have shown a high degree of talent. Pace It looks borderline supersonic, as several, including the heavy favorite, want to roll early. Trends The main track has tilted towards speeds, which is the norm, so you need to be tactical at the very least. Best Bet NOCTURNAL Number 1 Morning Line (5-2) Best Bet Overview #1 NOCTURNAL (5-2): Pletcher returnee hasn’t been out since February but is long on talent and all three races have been here…

Play of the Day Race Date December 09, 2021 Track Gulfstream Park Race 3 Overview A solid N2L with several possibilities, but #1 SOUPER FORTUNE (7-2) should relish the class drop for a potent synthetic barn. Pace There’s very little here on paper, save #7 Paliza (6-1), so tactical speed seems a necessity. Trends The Tapeta has been tricky, with plowhorse splits in several of the routes, but overall, it seems on the fair side. Best Bet SOUPER FORTUNE Number 1 Morning Line (7-2) Best Bet Overview #1 SOUPER FORTUNE (7-2): Class dropper drew perfectly inside for Trombetta, who is a big 24% on synthetics, and the blinkers…

Play of the Day Race Date December 08, 2021 Track Gulfstream Park Race 3 Overview A weak 12.5k MCL where several are proving to be lifetime maidens, while #6 LEFTHOOKLIGHTSOUT (3-1) goes off the claim after a useful debut. Pace There’s not much on paper, so an aggressive ride should get the lead, and tactical speed would be a bonus too. Trends The main track definitely tilted towards early speed on Opening Weekend, as several winners went wire-to-wire, while many more were close early. Best Bet LEFTHOOKLIGHTSOUT Number 6 Morning Line (3-1) Best Bet Overview #6 LEFTHOOKLIGHTSOUT (3-1): Enters off a decent 4th on debut, after breaking last-of-12…

Play of the Day Race Date December 05, 2021 Track Gulfstream Park Race 10 Overview A solid AOC for 3yos with several lightly raced runners who could be going places, none more so than #6 A.P.’S SECRET (9-2). Pace There should be more than enough here, as several have shown a penchant for being involved early. Trends N/A Best Bet A.P.’S SECRET Number 6 Morning Line (9-2) Best Bet Overview #6 A.P.’S SECRET (9-2): Strong MSW debut winner was bet down that day for Joseph, who is only 12% on debut and isn’t a guy who cranks them, so the fact this one did it so impressively speaks…

Play of the Day Race Date December 04, 2021 Track Gulfstream Park Race 7 Overview A deep Claiming Crown stakes with a full field and several different ways to go. Pace There is speed #9 PRETTY RACHEL (9-2), especially with Lopez aboard, figures to be the controlling speed. Trends N/A Best Bet PRETTY RACHEL Number 9 Morning Line (9-2) Best Bet Overview #9 PRETTY RACHEL (9-2): Potential Lone F has won six straight and looks better than ever, goes off the claim for Sweezey (14%), and should be able to set the pace over a field there for the taking. Picks & Plays Aggressive WPS bet and a…

Play of the Day Race Date December 03, 2021 Track Gulfstream Park Race 6 Overview A decent 75k stakes for 3yos, though there are no standouts, which says a newcomer like #8 LA MARINA (7-2) should have a big say. Pace There’s a trio down inside who should be involved early, so, on paper, all running styles should have a fair go of it. Trends N/A Best Bet LA MARINA Number 8 Morning Line (7-2) Best Bet Overview #8 LA MARINA (7-2): Easy Bel MSW winner comes in with a ton of upside, a pedigree that will love two turns, and gave the hint last time that she’s…

Play of the Day Race Date November 28, 2021 Track Churchill Downs Race 12 Overview A N1X there for the taking, as the proven runners at the level don’t inspire and seem stuck in neutral. Pace There looks to be more than enough to keep things honest, which suggests this could tilt towards a stalker/closer. Trends The track continues to play honest, with speed holding, though stalker/closers still had a fair go of it too. Best Bet SURREALIST Number 2 Morning Line (4-1) Best Bet Overview #2 SURREALIST (4-1): Rousing MSW winner steps up in class but sure doesn’t meet much, and the way she won her last…

Play of the Day Race Date November 27, 2021 Track Churchill Downs Race 8 Overview A wide, wide open two-turn AOC for 2yos where several of the favorites are tough to trust, which therefore makes this a very appealing race to go price shopping. Pace There seems to be plenty here, so I’m leaning towards those who have shown the ability to settle and pass horses late. Trends The track continues to play honest, with speed holding, though stalker/closers still had a fair go of it too. Best Bet KEVIN’S FOLLY Number 8 Morning Line (12-1) Best Bet Overview #8 KEVIN’S FOLLY (12-1): Price player had zero chance…

Play of the Day Race Date November 26, 2021 Track Churchill Downs Race 3 Overview An extremely weak 40k MCL with few, if any, moving the right direction, and an MSW dropper in #5 MISS TULSA (7-2) who faces by far the easiest group of her career. Pace On paper it seems light, so tactical speed should be at a premium. Trends The track continues to play honest, with speed holding, though stalker/closers still had a fair go of it too. Best Bet MISS TULSA Number 5 Morning Line (7-2) Best Bet Overview #5 MISS TULSA (7-2): MSW dropper has been facing tons better, ran well off the…