Handicapping Articles

“Play of the Day” by Brian Nadeau Date: 2/15/2023 Featured Track/Race: Gulfstream Park – Race 5   Race overview: A very good 35k claimer sprinting on the turf that could go any number of different ways.   Pace: They’ll be moving early, as several in here want to be on or just off the early lead. Trends: Speed plays sprinting on the turf, so at the very least you better be close early since horses just don’t come from far back late.   Best Play: #6 TOUGH CHARLIE (5-1) (turf only): FG invader has big turf sprint form, drew perfectly for his pressing style and it’s significant that…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/12/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 6      Race overview:  A deep and competitive AOC sprinting on the main for older, in a race where you could go any number of different ways.       Pace:  There’s not much here, which means if #7 KING CAB (8-1) can break running, he should be loose.      Trends:  Speed plays on the main, especially sprinting, so you don’t want to be too far off of it early.       Best Play:  #7 KING CAB (8-1): Talented speedster had a nightmare trip last time, when…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/11/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 9      Race overview:  A strong AOC routing on the turf doe 3yos, with several lightly raced and talented sophomores entered.        Pace:  It looks hot and contested, as several here have shown the affinity for running clos early, including a pair of stretch out sprinters.      Trends:  You don’t want to drop out the back on the turf, as speed plays, so at the very least you better be able to lay midpack early.       Best Play:  #3 SENDERO (5-1) (turf only):…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/10/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 5      Race overview:  A very solid OC/SAL sprinting 5Fs on the Tapeta, with several who have run winning races at the level of late.       Pace:  They’ll zip early at this trip, so expect a hot and contested pace.      Trends:  Speed is tough to rundown sprinting on the Tapeta, so at the very least you need to be able to lay close early.       Best Play:  #8 URANIUM (3-1): Expected pace presser drew well for his style and was a ton the…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/9/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A modest 10k N2L sprinting on the main track.       Pace:  There’s not a ton here, which means #4 NATURE BOY (5-2) looks poised to dominate on the rise.      Trends:  Speed plays sprinting on the main, as horses rarely come from too far back.       Best Play:  #4 NATURE BOY (5-2): Class riser fried everyone last time and was split by two closers, and while the winner ran off the screen, note this one was well clear of 3rd,…

new  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/8/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 2      Race overview:  A decent 25k MCL sprinting on Tapeta, though it looks like #6 RAKA RAKA CRUZ (7-2) needs just clear sailing to post a win.       Pace:  There’s not a ton here, so expect a bunched group entering the far turn.      Trends:  You need to be close sprinting on Tapeta, as races rarely fall apart, nor do closers pass them all.       Best Play:  #6 RAKA RAKA CRUZ (7-2): Class riser likely needed his return and had a ton…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/5/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 4      Race overview:  A modest 12.5k MCL routing on the Tapeta with a favorite (#8 Black Ice 6-5) that you have to try and beat.       Pace:  It doesn’t look overly heated, so expect a bunched field.      Trends:  The Tapeta routes play to stalker/closers as speed just has not held well, no matter how slow they go early.       Best Play:  #8 REBATE (6-1): Returnee was on the turf at Tampa but the Tapeta route here three-back was solid and fast (for…

Happy Holy Bull Day!  With the Big A closed today due to extreme cold our eyes turn to South Florida.  The top five finishers in the Holy Bull will receive Kentucky Derby qualifying points (20-8-6-4-2) – which is double the value that this race had last year.  Gulfstream Park Race 11 – The Sweetest Chant Stakes – Grade III  One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Turf for Three Year Old Fillies   Sweetlou’sgotaces: Broke her maiden going two turns by wiring the field in the Tepin Stakes the Big A going the two turn mile (84 Beyer).  That was her fourth career start, and she was still a…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/4/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 12      Race overview:  A relatively modest renewal of the G3 Holy Bull, in a race that is certainly there for the taking if someone pops up with a lifetime best—which is the hope with #1 LORD MILES (4-1).       Pace:  It doesn’t look overly heated, so expect a bunched field, with #6 Legacy Isle (7-2) leading the way.      Trends:  This is a short stretch/first finish line race, so once they hit the far turn, they don’t have far to go, which means you…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  2/3/2023      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 5      Race overview:  A very competitive AOC for Florida breds routing on the turf.       Pace:  There’s not much here to keep #4 JUDGE JUDITH (12-1) from making the lead and slowing things down, which can be potent over this course.      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:  #4 JUDGE JUDITH (12-1) (turf only): Potential Lone F had a…