Handicapping Articles

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/26/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  9       Race overview  A strong AOC for 4up at 6 ½ Fs that could easily pass as a stakes.       Pace  There’s seemingly not much here other than #4 SWIRVIN (7-2), which gives him a big tactical edge.      Trends  Speed plays sprinting on the main, as it’s tough to make up significant ground off the far turn.      Best Play  #4 SWIRVIN (7-2): Speedster is back home at GP, where he’s 3-for-7 (and 1-for-4 elsewhere), should be able to…

Happy Pegasus Day!  Today we seven graded stakes at Gulfstream Park led by the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational. This is the first big day on the 2025 calendar and we have big competitive fields.  Trivia Question: Which trainer has the most wins in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational?  Race 12 – The Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational  Stakes – Grade I  One Mile and a Furlong on the Turf for Four Year Olds and Upward   Siege of Boston: Six year old War Front colt who hasn’t won in eighteen months but has picked up the pieces in several Grade 3 events. Ran well enough last out…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/25/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  7       Race overview  A full field in the G3 La Prevoyante for 4upfm at 1 ½ miles on turf.       Pace  It’s a full field, but at this marathon distance, expect things to crawl early, and turn into a sprint off the far turn.      Trends  Speed has been king on turf, but with constant rain over the past week, that could temper things a bit and level the playing field.      Best Play  #5 BEAUTIFUL LOVE (5-2): Godolphin miss…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/24/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  8       Race overview  A deep and competitive 8k N2L for 4up at 1m70 on Tapeta.       Pace  It’s a full field, but there are no real burners signed on, which suggests a tight pack that will sprint off the far turn.      Trends  Tapeta routes are more kind to stalker/closers, with swooping outside paths preferred in the lane.      Best Play  #4 CAJUN’S CHOICE (6-1): Versatile sort almost blew it up at 40-1 last time when just missing by a…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/23/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  5       Race overview  A relatively modest 17.5k N2L for 4upfm at 5 ½ Fs on Tapeta.       Pace  It looks honest, though not necessarily oversubscribed, as true Tapeta sprint speed seems to be lacking.      Trends  Speed plays sprinting on Tapeta, as races are routinely won on or just off the front end, oftentimes regardless of how fast they go.       Best Play  #3 DENVER’S ALLEY (2-1): Pace player was facing tons better when last trying Tapeta two-back, and she…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/22/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  7       Race overview  A deep and competitive OC/SAL for 4upfm at 5Fs on Tapeta.       Pace  It looks honest, as more than a few want to be part of things early.      Trends  Speed plays sprinting on Tapeta, as races are routinely won on or just off the front end, oftentimes regardless of how fast they go.       Best Play  #6 MISS VYVYANNE (2-1): WO invader goes OTC for Drexler (25%), who has been white-hot at the meet, and her…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/19/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  1       Race overview  A deep and competitive MSW at 1 1/16 miles on turf for 3yo fillies.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as there are more than a few who want to be close early on.      Trends  Speed has crushed on turf, as horses routinely wire—no matter how fast they go—but with rains this week, things could be slightly tempered up front.      Best Play  #5 HEREFORAGOODTIME (5-1) (turf only): Justify filly didn’t do a lot of running…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/18/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  10       Race overview  A phenomenal AOC for 4upfm going 6Fs on the main track.        Pace  It looks white-hot, as several want to motor early, which suggests this could fall apart in the lane when things begin to take their toll.      Trends  Dirt sprints are typically won by those who can lay close early, but, assuming this field stays intact, this seems an exception to the rule.      Best Play  #7 ADIOS BABE (5-1): Stalker also cuts back to…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/17/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  7       Race overview  A strong 35k claimer for 4up at 1m 70 yards on Tapeta.       Pace  It looks on the slow side, as very few have any real speed, so expect a tight-knit group and a sprint off the far turn.      Trends  Tapeta routes are usually won by the stalkers, as speed has trouble holding, with outside paths being preferred.      Best Play  #5 NAVY CROSS (5-2): Class dropper got to Tapeta last time and really improved with…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/16/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  3       Race overview  A very weak 12.5k MCL for fm4up at 6 ½ Fs on the main track.       Pace  It looks honest, as #1 His Choice (9-5) should be going, which should allow #6 ONE SPECIAL ACT (8-5) to set up shop just off her.      Trends  Speed plays sprinting on main, as races routinely fall apart in the lane, so, at the very least, you better be able to lay close early.       Best Play  #6 ONE SPECIAL…