Handicapping Articles

  “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…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/14/24      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  7       Race overview  A strong 2yo MSW at 6Fs on the main track for 2yos.       Pace  There’s a slew entered here, several from high-powered barns, and several firsters with strong works, so expect things to be hot early.      Trends  It’s tough to make up ground in dirt sprints, so being able to lay close early is usually imperative.      Best Play  #1 COMMENDATORE (5-2): Highly touted prospect was 2nd to Saffie’s best 2yo but kept trying and finding,…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/13/24      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  7       Race overview  An extremely meek 8k N2L for 3upfm at 6 ½ Fs on the main track.       Pace  it should be honest enough, as there are more than a few who want to be involved early.      Trends  It’s tough to make up ground in dirt sprints, so being able to lay close early is usually imperative.      Best Play  #6 WEST BANK (7-5): Lifetime maiden and legendary hanger finally broke through last time, and she did it…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/12/24      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  8       Race overview  A competitive OC/SAL for 2yos at 5Fs on the Tapeta.       Pace  it should be honest enough, as there are more than a few who want to be involved early.      Trends  Tapeta sprints are typically won by those with tactical speed, at the very least, with outside paths preferred, as the inside can bog down.      Best Play  #3 GHOSTLY ROSE (5-2): Class dropper has been facing tons better on both turf and Tapeta, so this…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/8/24      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  8       Race overview  A modest 8k N2L for 3upfm at 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta.       Pace  There’s not much entered in here at all, as more than a few have no early speed at all, so a tactical gear seems like a positive.      Trends  Tapeta routes are typically won by stalker/closers who can settle and make a late run, as speed can struggle early, with outside paths preferred, as the inside can bog down.      Best Play  #5…

Happy Cigar Mile Day!  Today we have the final big card of year at the Big A with four graded stakes races headlined by the Cigar Mile. In addition, the Demoiselle and Remsen are significant early preps for the Oaks and Derby respectively as the two year olds will go two turns. The Remsen has been maligned for not producing Derby winners – but it is a key race as these colts enter their three year old seasons. Recent Remsen winners have included Catholic Boy (Belmont, Travers), Mo Donegal (Haskell, Belmont), and Dornach (Belmont, Haskell).  Trivia question: Who was the trainer of Cigar?  Race 7 The Remsen –…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/7/24      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  4       Race overview  A compact 17.5k N2L for 3up at 1m & 70 yards on Tapeta.       Pace  There’s not much here, which suggests a compact group early and a sprint off the far turn.      Trends  Tapeta routes are typically won by stalker/closers who can settle and make a late run, as speed can struggle early, with outside paths preferred, as the inside can bog down.      Best Play  #6 FREAKAZOID (2-1): Dominant MCL winner got to Tapeta off…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  12/6/24      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  5       Race overview  A modest 12.5k N2L for 3up at 5 ½ furlongs on the Tapeta.       Pace  There’s seems enough here to keep it honest up front, as there are more than a few who want to be involved/close early on.      Trends  Tapeta sprints are usually won by horses who can lay close, at the very least, with outside paths preferred, as the inside can bog down.      Best Play  #9 GUAICAIPURO (5-2): Stiff class dropper has been…