Handicapping Articles

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/29/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 6      Race overview:  A relatively weak 10k claimer routing on the Tapeta, which means #1 THENORTHREMEMBERS (5-2) will really appreciate what is a hidden class drop.       Pace:  It looks honest, even for a shorter field, as there are ore than a few here who want to be involved early.      Trends:  The Tapeta routes have been dominated by stalker/closers, as the speed doesn’t often hold—no matter how slow they go early.       Best Play:  #1 THENORTHREMEMBERS (5-2): Goes turf-to-Tapeta and has run…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/26/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A competitive 6.25k claimer sprinting 6Fs on the main.       Pace:  It looks honest though not overly heated, as several want to be close, but none have true sprint speed either.      Trends:  You need to be close on the main track, as it’s hard to make up significant ground, especially sprinting.       Best Play:  #3 STARSHIP NUGGET (2-1): Dangerous pace player was 3rd to a few here (#8 and #4) but now goes off the claim for Figueroa (6-for-15/40%)…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/24/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 7      Race overview:  A seemingly modest 2yo MSW for Florida breds, which means a firster like #1 HIHELLOHOWAREYOU (5-2) could be tough.       Pace:  It should be honest, as expected favorite #1 HIHELLOHOWAREYOU (5-2) has worked lights out in the morning, though no one else (on paper) looks fast enough to run with her.      Trends:  You need to be close spiriting on the main track, as horses just don’t make up a ton of ground late.       Best Play:  #1 HIHELLOHOWAREYOU (5-2):…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/23/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 5      Race overview:  A wide-open OC/SAL routing on the turf, with several who have winning credentials.       Pace:  There’s not a ton on paper, which could compromise the chances of the closers, while flattering those with early foot.      Trends:  The turf has played to early speed since its return, and several who have flown early have stuck late, so, at the very least, you better have tactical speed.       Best Play:  #2 Pegs A.K. Girl (5-1) (turf only): Class dropper has been…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/22/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 7      Race overview:  A strong AOC sprinting 7Fs on the main that marks the return of multiple graded stakes winner #2 Dr Post (7-5), but off a 13-month layoff, the time is right to beat him with the equally classy, and in-form #1 ENDORSED (2-1), who has a big recency edge as well.       Pace:  There’s plenty of speed to the outside, so things should be cooking up front.      Trends:  You need to be close on the main track, as it’s hard to…

PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau Date: 12/21/2022 Featured Track/Race: Gulfstream Park – Race 8   Race overview: As good a 10k claimer as they’ll run sprinting on the Tapeta, as there are countless who enter with winning credentials, which means value abounds.   Pace: It figures hot and contested, as several want to motor early. Trends: The Tapeta sprints are won by speed/stalkers, as coming from well out of it just doesn’t work.   Best Play: #1 COOP TRIES HARDER (8-1): Stalker should be close early and comes out of a key race for 20k, where he was a decent 5th, but note his other two…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/18/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 9      Race overview:  A wide open 25k 2yo MCL routing on turf (though there’s a good chance it’s moved to Tapeta), with several who have middling form and #5 PEOPLE FORCE (9-2), who has a ton of upside.       Pace:  It figures to be honest, as several want to be involved early, and have shown speed in sprints.       Trends:  No one is closing on the turf, but if this is transferred to Tapeta (a good possibility), stalkers have proven best.       Best…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/17/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A decent 16k MCL sprinting on the Tapeta with several different ways to go.       Pace:  It figures to be honest, as several want to be involved early.      Trends:  You need to be close sprinting on the Tapeta, as upwards of 90% of the races are won by speed/stalkers.       Best Play:  #7 RED GUN (3-1): Exits a strong debut 3rd for D’Angelo and now goes off the claim for Gaffney, who has a win here recently, and this…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/16/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 3      Race overview:  A seemingly average 1m MSW for 2yos that looks ripe for a newcomer, which is exactly whet #2 EMPEROR’S APPEAL (5-2) is, off an impressive debut at CD.       Pace:  It figures to be honest, as several are stretching out after chasing going shorter, and none are a guarantee to get this trip.      Trends:  You need to be close going this one-turn mile, as horses just don’t make up a ton of ground if they are behind entering the far…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date:  12/15/2022      Featured Track/Race:   Gulfstream Park – Race 5      Race overview:  A modest 8k N2L routing on the Tapeta, with very few who have shown winning credentials.       Pace:  Expect a tight pack, as there’s not a ton of true front-running speed entered, which means a stalking gear will come in handy.      Trends:  The Tapeta routes have trended towards stalker/closers, as speed has struggled holding—no matter how slow they go up front early.       Best Play:  #6 S. Silo (7-2): In-form runner, which is more than most here can say,…