Race of the Day

Happy Wood Memorial Day!  Today we get our first big race day of the year in New York with four graded stakes headlined by the Carter Handicap and the Wood Memorial. It’s a nice full field of thirteen in the Wood.  Trivia question: Who is the Carter Handicap named for?  Race 4 – The Carter Handicap  – Grade II  Seven Furlongs on the Dirt for Four Year Olds and Upward  Castle Chaos: Was very good two back in the Fred Hooper where he was wide the whole way and just missed (97 Beyer). Tired in the slop last out in the Stymie. Inside draw should help to establish…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  4/6/24     Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  10       Race overview  A tremendous renewal of the G1 Blue Grass for 3yos going 1 1/8 miles on the main track.       Pace  It looks potentially hot and contested, as there are more than a few who want to be involved, or close, early on.      Trends  N/A        Best Play  #6 JUST A TOUCH (7-2): Been waiting for this one to run two turns, and now he gets it, as well as (hopefully) a fast main track as well, and his…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  4/5/24     Featured track  Keeneland       Race number  9       Race overview  A sterling renewal of the G1 Ashland for 3yofs going 1 1/16 miles on the main track, which is a short stretch finish line configuration.       Pace  Expect a compact field, as there are no burners in here, with the majority of the runners wanting to stalk the early proceedings.       Trends  It’s Opening Day, so there’s nothing to go on, but traditionally the short stretch/finish line races are won by horses with tactical speed, at the very least, as…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  3/30/24      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  6       Race overview  A solid renewal of the G2 Pan American for 4up going 1 ½ miles on the turf.       Pace  There’s not much here, and at this trip, you can expect a compact field that will turn into a sprint off the far turn.      Trends  A firm, fast turf course is going to play to speed, so, at the very least, you need to have the ability to lay close early, as turf routes aren’t usually run from the…

Happy Florida Derby Day!  The Florida Derby headlines a monster card at Gulfstream Park where there are five graded stakes races.  Trivia Question: The Florida Derby has produced fifteen Kentucky Derby winners, who was the most recent?  Race 11 – The Gulfstream Park Oaks – Grade II  One Mile and a Sixteenth on the Dirt for Three Year Old Fillies  Power Squeeze: Has won three in a row including the Cash Run (82 Beyer) and then the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa with a nice inside trip. Inside draw should allow him to establish position for a stalking trip. Piece of it. Do Gooder: Broke her maiden in her…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  3/29/24     Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  4       Race overview  A strong 50k starter-allowance for 4up going 1-mile on the turf.       Pace  There’s no real true speedsters entered, though more than a few want to be close early on.      Trends  A firm, fast turf course is going to play to speed, so, at the very least, you need to have the ability to lay close early, as turf routes aren’t usually run from the back.         Best Play  #6 BROKEN SPUR (5-2) (turf only): Versatile sort…

  “PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  3/28/24     Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  4       Race overview  A modest 25k MCL for 3fs sprinting 5Fs on Tapeta.       Pace  There’s no real burners here, so being able to lay close early seems a must.      Trends  Speed plays sprinting on the Tapeta, as horses routinely fly early and stick around late, so you need to have the ability to lay close.        Best Play  #7 TRAVEL HAPPY (8-5): Pace presser was a good 3rd on debut, drew perfectly for her style, and has more…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  3/27/21      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  7       Race overview  A very meek AOC for 4up f/ms going 1-mile on the main track.       Pace  There seems more than enough here, as there’s a trio who want to be involved early, which means they could compromise each other.      Trends  It’s tough to make up significant ground on the main track, though the mile races can be fast early, which helps the stalkers late.        Best Play  #1 EVIDENCIAS (6-5): Classy NY invader took I-95 South and found…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  3/24/21      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  6       Race overview  A strong OC/SAL for 4up sprinting 5 ½ Fs on Tapeta.       Pace  There’s plenty here, which means they’ll be flying early, so a stalking gear should play.      Trends  Speed plays sprinting on the Tapeta, as horses routinely fly early and stick around late, so you need to have the ability to lay close.        Best Play  #7 OUTLAW COUNTRY (7-2): Stalker has the speed to be close to what looks like a hot and contested pace,…

“PLAY of the DAY” by Brian Nadeau                        Date  3/23/21      Featured track  Gulfstream Park      Race number  9       Race overview  A strong AOC for f/ms 4up going 1m70 yards on Tapeta (note this was originally scheduled for turf but will VERY likely be run on Tapeta after heavy rains Friday that are going into Saturday).       Pace  Depending on who stays in, it should be honest up front, as a few on the outside want to go early.      Trends  When it rains the Tapeta can tighten up and play to speed and inside runners, which is traditionally not…