Handicapping Articles

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/10/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  6      Race overview  A seemingly meek MSW for 3yos going 1-mile on turf.       Pace  It looks muddled at best, as there are a lot of different runners converging, though with some firsters and stretch-out sprinters, it figures honest.      Trends  You better be close over this turn course, especially when it’s firm and when it’s at this trip, as horses rarely make up significant ground in the lane.       Best Play  #6 Mythic Performance (5-2) (turf or Tapeta): Lynch…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/9/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  9      Race overview  A meek 8k N2L for f/ms going 5 ½ Fs on Tapeta.       Pace  It’s a full field in a Tapeta sprint, so they should be moving early.      Trends  Tactical speed at the very least is needed sprinting on Tapeta, as races rarely fall apart in the lane.       Best Play  #6 Robyn and Eli (5-2): Stalker was a good 3rd against males last time, drops back in with females, and meets a group that hardly inspires…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/8/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  6      Race overview  A competitive bottom-level claimer for 4up going 6Fs on the main.       Pace  There’s not much here, so being able to lay close seems imperative.      Trends  Tactical speed at the very least is needed sprinting on the main, as races rarely fall apart in the lane.       Best Play  #6 Apocalypso (3-1): Expected pace presser is back with friends today, and when he’s in for a tag he usually fires his best shot, and both favorites (#3…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/7/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  4      Race overview  A competitive 16k claimer for f/ms at 5 ½ Fs on Tapeta.       Pace  There should be some competition up front, as more than a few want to be involved early.      Trends  Tactical speed at the very least is needed sprinting on Tapeta, as races rarely fall apart in the lane.       Best Play  #6 Sassy Melissa (7-2): Stalker drops in class after a middling runs against tons better and should get an honest pace to settle…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/4/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  4      Race overview  A competitive OC/SAL for 3yofs going 1m70 on Tapeta.       Pace  Things look honest up front, as there are more than a few who want to be involved early, or at least spy things up front.      Trends  Tactical speed plays routing on Tapeta, as speed tends to fade a bit.       Best Play  #7 Goats On a Tree (2-1): Tactical miss beat MSW runners last time OTC for Saffie, which is a big deal here as most…

Happy Holy Bull Day!  Gulfstream Park has four graded stakes, led by the Holy Bull, where the top five finishers will receive Kentucky Derby qualifying points (20-10-6-4-2).   Trivia question: Name the only horse to win the Hutcheson, the Florida Derby, the Blue Grass, the Met Mile, the Dwyer, the Haskell, the Travers, and the Woodward – all in the same year.  Gulfstream Park Race 11 – The Kitten’s Joy – Grade III  One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Turf for Three Year Olds  Hammerstein: Broke his maiden last out (66 Beyer) in his first effort on the turf with a professional stalk and pounce move. By Oscar…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/3/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  5      Race overview  A strong AOC for 4up going 7 ½ Fs on the turf.       Pace  It looks hot and contested, especially on the this inside, as more than a few want to rattle early on.      Trends  Speeds plays on the turf, especially when it’s firm and fast, as races rarely fall apart in the lane, so at the very least, you want to have some tactical ability.       Best Play  #7 SMOKY MANDATE (3-1) (turf only): Newly minted…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/2/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  5      Race overview  A competitive 25k MCL for 3yofs routing 1 1/16 miles on turf.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as there are a slew down towards the inside that want to be part of the early proceedings, as well as several who are stretching out to two turns too.      Trends  Speeds plays on the turf, especially when it’s firm and fast, as races rarely fall apart in the lane, and the course can carry front runners.      …

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/1/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  3      Race overview  a very meek 16k claimer for 3yos going 1m70 on Tapeta.       Pace  There’s not much on paper, which means stretchout sprinter #4 ICE THE KICKER (2-1) could shake loose early.      Trends  Speed usually has trouble lasting routing on Tapeta, and therefore a rating gear is usually preferred, though if you’re loose and controlling (and the best horse), it’s never a bad thing either.       Best Play  #4 ICE THE KICKER (2-1): Sprinter is bred to…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/31/2024      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  6      Race overview  A solid 10k claimer for 4up going 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta.       Pace  It looks on the tepid side, so expect a bunched field entering the far turn, and a sprint to the finish.      Trends  Speed usually has trouble lasting routing on Tapeta, and therefore a rating gear is usually preferred.        Best Play  #8 GRAND SOIREE (5-2): Tactical sort goes off the claim for Saffie (25%), comes out of a very strong race for the…