Handicapping Articles

  “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…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/15/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  7       Race overview  A relatively meek 12.5k N2L for 4up at 6Fs on the main track.       Pace  There’s not a lot of true sprint speed signed on, which means #1 I’M A LUCKY MAN (8-5) should be able to control things early on.      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  #1 I’M A LUCKY MAN…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/12/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  9       Race overview  A deep and competitive AOC for 4up at 7Fs.       Pace  It looks honest, as there’s speed to the inside, along with   #6 SUNCROFT (9-5), who should be rolling off the layoff.      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 SUNCROFT (9-5): Cox returnee is full of potential and upside, has worked big…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  1/11/25      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  4       Race overview  A solid MSW for newly turned 3yos at 6Fs on the main track.       Pace  There’s 11 entered, with several firsters who have worked fast, and some proven runners who have shown speed too, so expect things to be hot up front.      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 VANDERBILT (2-1): Cox…