Handicapping Articles

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/1/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 5      Race overview:  A very competitive OC/SOL routing on the turf that could go any number of different ways.       Pace:  It looks potentially heated on paper, as several come in off either wire-to-wire wins or pace pressing wins, so showing an ability to pass horses late is a big bonus.      Trends:  You want to be close on the turf, as speed has been carrying, but in this instance, it still looks like too much heat up front.       Best Play:  #7…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/29/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 11      Race overview:  A wildly competitive MSW routing on the turf—that just so happens to end the mandatory payoff Rainbow 6 as well.       Pace:  It looks on the tepid side, as there’s not much confirmed speed on paper, so laying close seems imperative.      Trends:  You want to be close on the turf, as horses just won’t close from too far back if they aren’t in contention entering the far turn.       Best Play:  #9 MRS. ASTOR (5-1): Exits a nightmare trip…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/28/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 13      Race overview:  A strong, competitive renewal of the Pegasus, a race where you could make a case for 6-8 different winners.       Pace:  It looks very sharp, as #5 Defunded is going, and with #6 Art Collector, #10 Cyberknife, and #11 Stilleto Boy all to his outside, things figure to be hot early.      Trends:  You need tactical speed routing on the main track, as it’s difficult to make up too much ground off the far turn if you’re not in contention entering…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/27/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A relatively modest low-level claimer sprinting on the main.       Pace:  It looks honest enough, as more than a few want to be involved early, several of which have been backing up of late.      Trends:  You want to be close sprinting on the main track, as speed plays, and races rarely fall into the laps of closers.       Best Play:  #3 EARTH (5-2): Stalker had some trouble behind a class-dropping winner for 8k last time, so this drop should…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/26/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A solid 16k claimer for 3yos sprinting on the Tapeta, with several dropping in class out of tougher heats.       Pace:  Expect a compact group, as there’s not a lot of defined front-running true speed signed on.      Trends:  Speed is tough to down sprinting on the Tapeta, so at the bare minimum you better be close early on.       Best Play:  #6 CLASSY BOY (4-1): Stiff dropper also regressed last time off the big MCL score two-back, but this…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/25/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A solid Florida-bred AOC routing on the turf, though NY invader #7 JAVA BUZZ (9-5) seems to hold all the aces.       Pace:  There’s not much here to keep #7 JAVA BUZZ (9-5) from making the point and widening from there, especially since her stablemate (#8) seems to be the only other potential deterrent.       Trends:  Speed has been dominant on the turf, as horses up front just aren’t coming back, especially if they are allowed to set their own…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/22/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 9      Race overview:  A strong AOC for older f/m sprinting 6Fs on the main track.       Pace:  There’s oddly not a ton here, which means being able to be close early is preferred.      Trends:  Speed on the main is preferred, especially going this short.       Best Play:  #6 BLUEFIELD (2-1): Pace presser drew perfectly for her style and enters off a strong 2nd last time to a stakes-calibur horse, and today she catches a slew coming in off long layoffs, meaning they…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/21/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 9      Race overview:  A strong AOC going 6Fs on the main for older runners, in a race where you can go any number of different ways.       Pace:  It looks hot and contested, to be kind, as basically everyone wants to be involved in some way, shape, or form.      Trends:  Laying close on the main is preferred, but a race can still fall apart under the right set of flow circumstances.       Best Play:  #5 THINKABOUTIT (6-1): Stalker goes off-the-claim for Handal,…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  1/20/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 6      Race overview:  A slid 50k claimer on the turf, though the back class of #7 THERAPIST (5-2) seems poised to show itself.       Pace:  It should be honest, as there are there are a few who want to be involved in the early splits.      Trends:  The turf has been playing fair for the most part, though speed is never a bad thing on this course.       Best Play:  #7 THERAPIST (5-2) (turf only): Cagey veteran dropped and added blinkers and looked…