Handicapping Articles

Happy Fountain of Youth Day!  While the forecast calls for sun in South Florida this weekend, there are dark clouds gathering over the future of Gulfstream. Legislation is now pending the Florida State House at the request of Gulfstream ownership that would eliminate the need to have horse racing in order to operate the casino at Gulfstream Park. Florida horsemen stand in opposition to this “decoupling” bill as they see it as a step towards ending racing at Gulfstream. Further, the owner of Gulfstream made some eye catching comments during an interview on Pegasus Day when she questioned if Gulfstream was appropriate as a racing venue given its…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  3/1/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  12       Race overview  A deep and competitive renewal of the G3 Honey Fox for 4upfm at 1-mile on the turf.       Pace  There’s no one here that can run with #8 IN OUR TIME (7-2), who looks loose as loose can be with her front-running speedy style.      Trends  The turf continues to play to speed, seemingly no matter how fast they go early, so at the very least, you better be able to lay close.      Best Play  #8…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date 2/28/25 Featured track Gulfstream Park Race number 5 Race overview A deep and competitive 35k MCL for 3yofs at 5 ½ Fs on Tapeta. Pace It looks honest enough, as more than a few want to be close early, including a pair breaking from outside posts. Trends Speed plays sprinting on Tapeta, as you have to be close at the very least, as races rarely fall apart in the lane. Best Play #5 WANT ALL THE SMOKE (5-2): Class dropper moved forward in her second start for 50k last time, has the tactical speed to be close throughout, and seems…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/27/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  9       Race overview  A deep and competitive 50k MCL for 3yos at 1-mile on the turf.       Pace  There’s not much here, which means once again being close early seems the way to success late.      Trends  The turf continues to play to speed, seemingly no matter how fast they go early, so at the very least, you better be able to lay close.      Best Play  #2 OTTER MISCHIEF (4-1): Pace player pressed before just missing last time OTC…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/26/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  3       Race overview  A relatively competitive 12.5k MCL for 3yos at 5 ½ Fs on Tapeta.       Pace  There’s actually not much here, for a Tapeta sprint, which means class-dropping #4 IRON SWORD (2-1) should get all the best of it.      Trends  Speed plays sprinting on Tapeta, as you have to be close at the very least, as races rarely fall apart in the lane.      Best Play  #4 IRON SWORD (2-1): Pace player dueled and tired on debut…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/22/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  3       Race overview   A competitive 25k claimer for 4upfm at 5 ½ Fs on Tapeta.       Pace  It honest hot early, as there are more than a few who want to be involved early and often.      Trends  Speed plays sprinting on Tapeta, as you have to be close at the very least, as races rarely fall apart in the lane.      Best Play  #5 DEMAR’S LEGACY (2-1): Casse charge returned from a long layoff with a good 2nd, now…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/21/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  5       Race overview  A relatively modest 12.5k N2L for 4up at 1m 70 yards on Tapeta.       Pace  It looks honest enough, as there are a few—on the cheaper side—who want to be close and involved early on.      Trends  Stalker/closers typically have the best of it routing on Tapeta, as it can be more demanding on the speed horses.      Best Play  #4 TAKE YOUR SEAT (5-2): Brown runner aired in his return to Tapeta to beat bottom-level MCL’ers,…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/20/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  1       Race overview  An extremely weak 12.5k MCL for 3yos at 6Fs  on the main track.       Pace  There’s not a lot on paper, which should allow #2 ISAAC LEO (9-5) to clear early.      Trends  Speed plays sprinting on the main track, as you have to be close at the very least, as races rarely fall apart in the lane.      Best Play  #2 ISAAC LEO (9-5): Expected front runner also cuts back a furlong after tiring last time…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/19/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  4       Race overview  An extremely weak 12.5k MCL for 3yofs at 5 ½ furlongs on Tapeta.       Pace  There’s not a lot on paper, so expect a tight group that will turn into a sprint off the far turn.      Trends  Speed plays sprinting on Tapeta, as you have to be close at the very least, as races rarely fall apart in the lane.      Best Play  #6 C C Girl (9-5): Stiff dropper was facing MSW foes on Tapeta…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  2/16/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  6       Race overview  A solid OC/SAL for 3yo fillies at 5 ½ furlongs on the main track.       Pace  It should be honest enough up front, as there are a trio who want to be involved early.      Trends  Speed plays on the main, as races rarely fall apart in the lane, so at the very least, you need to have tactical speed.      Best Play  #7 LYNN’S MILKY WAY (8-5): Speedster wired by 11 here on debut then was…