Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 10/23

MEET STATS: 117-32-16-17 / $224.20 (-$9.80)
BEST BETS: 8-5-1-1 / $16.00 (+$0.00)
BEST BET: HEART OF MINE (2nd)
SPOT PLAY: SHAKESPEARE (6th)

Race 1: Kindergarten Classic 2YO Colt Trot - Pick 5

(5) TYPE A wasn't perfect in his latest qualifier as he did throw his head a bit at the start, but once past that point he did everything right. This guy seemed to have a big future when the season started and perhaps he's back on track now. (4) SONOFAMISTERY wasn't able to handle the best in the division at The Red Mile. He's back in his comfort zone now. (6) SEVENSHADESOFGREY took a step in the right direction last time and with a similar effort tonight, he can compete.

Race 2: Kindergarten Classic 2YO Filly Pace

(6) HEART OF MINE has way too many second-place finishes on her card, but when you see they came to horses like Test Of Faith, perhaps the best 2-year-old filly pacer in the sport, and Fire Start Hanover, one of the Breeders Crown favorites, they don't look as bad. This is a great spot for this Roll With Joe filly to shine. (3) LINDY AT THE BEACH should be plenty tight after chasing some fast miles in Kentucky; threat. (5) CLASSICIST has been a consistent performer for trainer Linda Toscano but I think she might be a step slower than the top pick.

Race 3: Kindergarten Classic 2YO Filly Pace - Pick 6

This is a wide-open race and I'm looking for value with (5) SKYY, a consistent filly who finished second when last in the Kindergarten Classic. She doesn't have any fancy 1:51 lines on her card, but that is due to circumstance rather than ability. (7) ALBERGITA HANOVER has the talent to be a good one if she can put it all together. I fear she may get a conservative steer this week from the outside post. (3) HIGH MINDED is off a career-best mile. (4) LADY MIDNIGHT went some fast miles in Kentucky and might be overbet here.

Race 4: Kindergarten Classic 2YO Filly Trot

(2) AUNT IRENE comes with the risk of breaking, but she's the best horse in the field. Hobbles are added to the picture this week! (9) HOT AS HILL lands in the softest field she has seen in some time and she has the early speed needed to get position from the outside post. (8) A HOPEFUL PRAYER returns from a freshening and could have her act together now at a price.

Race 5: GSY Amateur Series

(6) JK KISSNTELL comes off a solid win at Freehold and has done rather well since moving into the Chindano barn. I'll give her a shot in what is typically a tricky race to handicap. (1) MCNULTY Z TAM closed from last a week ago to just miss and is clearly in form. (4) PEMBROKE JOEY is another sharp horse and one that has early speed; using. (2) PROPHET BLUE CHIP has been off his game but fits with these when right.

Race 6: Kindergarten Classic 2YO Colt Pace - Pick 4

(2) SHAKESPEARE was in deep waters in Lexington and came up a few lengths short. He should have every chance to succeed tonight. (4) WINNER IS COMING also returns from Kentucky after facing better. He should be very competitive. (8) DONTPASSME HANOVER has put in all together in a pair of overnights lately. Can he keep it going versus this group from the outside post?

Race 7: Kindergarten Classic 2YO Filly Trot

(8) DUCHESSPEDIA stretched out nicely to be second last time versus a filly that would be odds-on in this spot. She should be up to speed now and ready for a top effort versus a suspect field. (6) AVENIR is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you're going to get. That said, her one career win came with Allard in the bike. (2) DAZZLING REIGN scored at first asking for her new barn and now gets a bigger test.

Race 8: Fall Harvest Final - NW4500

(1) GODSPELL HALL wasn't done any favors by drawing the pole position, but it should help him get away in mid pack without having to work early. I thought he was having some trouble slipping on the wet track that night and a drier surface can move him up. (6) SKYWAY KON MAN is clearly the horse to beat after a romp last week for a red-hot barn. (3) WISHYOU’DTELLME hasn't been bad and I wouldn't be shocked if this barn had him fired up to leave the gate in this spot.

Race 9: Kindergarten Classic 2YO Colt Trot - Pick 5

(4) DEE'S RED DELICIOUS seems to be learning the game with every start and doesn't catch the toughest group this week. (2) MAGICAL MUSCLE MAN faced some good foes in Kentucky and took a shot in the Wellwood, so this guy should enjoy the step down in class. (7) ROYSON’S PUNCH has been racing well the last few weeks since coming to town.

Race 10: Fall Harvest Final - NW2500 - Pick 4

(3) TRIXIE DUST gets a nice post shift this week and with (10) CHIPLOSIVE stuck way outside, she could get the better trip at a much better price. The latter blew them away last time after chasing quick fractions. I’m not sure he's worth a potential odds-on payoff. (1) BROADWAY BRUISER went a huge mile in defeat last time and moves way inside after a post-10 start. (8) NORTHERN CREDIT had no shot a week ago and will be huge odds here. Maybe there is more in the tank?

Race 11: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5

(3) SHELLIE DE VIE dropped to this level last week and got a little better. I'll take it as a positive sign and roll the dice against a weak field. (5) NARCIAN JEWEL finally gets a good post and might just be firing to the front. (2) TEAL HANOVER closed well for second when last in this class.

Race 12: Kindergarten Classic 2YO Colt Pace

(1) COMMANDING OFFICER was baked in the pace in Kentucky and now returns to The Big M where he won back-to-back legs of this series. (5) SIMON SAYS HANOVER turned into a monster at The Red Mile. Can he keep it going here? (4) JK OBJECTION qualified back well after time off and perhaps that means better performance.

Race 13: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5/TM Rating 78.5 or less

(6) OBERTO has some ugly lines on his recent performances but has displayed the ability in the past to beat up on a field like this one. (1) STENHOUSE HANOVER only needs to behave to have a big shot. (2) MUAY HANOVER won in this class two starts back. (4) EXPLOSIVE didn't fire in the slop but raced well in his prior start and there seems to be ample early speed to set him up.