Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 10/29

MEET STATS: 86-36-14-15 / $150.80 (-$21.20)

BEST BETS: 7-5-0-1 / $12.40 (-1.60)

SPOT PLAYS: 7-2-2-3 / $7.40 (-$6.60)

BEST BET: DORSODURO HANOVER (10th)

SPOT PLAY: TREACHEROUS DRAGON (7th)

Race 1: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5 or 7 (NW L3 8) races or $70,000 life - Pick 5

(3) PANSY'S IMAGE isn't the best horse in the race but could steal this race on the lead or in the pocket. (1) PRICELESS returns to The Meadowlands where she posted a very impressive win back in July. She's up in class here but fast enough to overcome. (5) UPTOWN LADY N has been very consistent and keeps coming at the ends of the mile. (6) IDEATION HANOVER is clearly a factor in here if ready after missing eight weeks.

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Race 2: Non-winners 2-3 races or $20,000-$40,000 life/TM 76 or less/NW Last 3

(7) NORTHERN STORM has been facing better foes in recent starts and she also adds Lasix tonight. The only question for me is the three-week layoff. (2) SILVER TAIL has been racing reasonably well and now adds a catch-driver. (3) STREAK THE LAWN popped off a seven-length win in her recent start with a top driver in the bike.

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Race 3: Non-winners $7,000 in last 5

(2) STORMONT VENTNOR went off with a huge mile in his first start for these connections and anything close to a repeat should make him tough. (3) CHIPLOSIVE, like the top pick, won for Cullipher at Pocono on Monday. That may turn out to be the confidence booster he needs. (7) TOP FLIGHT ANGEL is down in class and may enjoy the switch to the bigger track.

Race 4: TrackMaster 74.5 (NW L3 75) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm/NW 1 in 2020/21 - Survivor 7

(6) KING OF HEROES N only made two starts on these shores before spending over a year on the sidelines. He obviously needed the start last time and might be in line for much more now. (9) STATESMAN N is at his comfort level and has done well here. 14-year-old can still go with them. (5) MAY I CRUISE WEST gets a driver change and could be along for an exotic slot.

Race 5: Winners 2-4 (NW L3 5) or $50,000 life

(2) RATTLE MY CAGE was in too tough versus Breeders crown foes. This is his comfort zone. Expect early speed. I've never been a fan of (9) LOCATELLI, but this certainly looks like a spot where he should awaken. Maybe his second start on Lasix will be a winning one. (4) CARUSO is a bit of a lottery ticket but certainly one that is fast enough when he behaves.

Race 6: $600,000 Breeders Crown 2YO Colt Trot - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) DOUBLE DECEIVER was very passive while sitting along the cones and finished up very willingly once asked and clear in the stretch. Speed-wise this Cantab Hall gelding is right there with any of these and the price will be much better. (3) BRANDED BY LINDY has been on a serious roll while winning from on and off the pace. He's the one to beat. (4) REBUFF seems to be getting better with every trip to the track; respect. (8) DULY RESOLVED tends to bring his best races in big events, as evidenced by a bankroll that is double any of his competition. Don't be shocked if he shows up with a much better mile tonight.

Race 7: $600,000 Breeders Crown 2YO Filly Pace

I’ve been waiting for the right time to jump on the (4) TREACHEROUS DRAGON bandwagon and this is the week. She showed a hint of early speed and rallied well from an impossible spot in her elimination after missing four weeks of action. Brett Pelling should have this versatile daughter of Captaintreacherous ready for a big mile. (7) NIKI HILL got a more conservative steer last week and was pacing very well at the end of the mile. She's still the one to beat and could be an interesting play if she drifts up to the 8-5 range. (5) QUEEN OF SUCCESS pulled off a shocker in the elimination round, but looking at her lines, they aren't bad and she was only a huge price because #7 was 2-5. (6) DON'T FENCE ME IN has good early speed and has never missed the board in her career.

Race 8: $600,000 Breeders Crown 2YO Filly Trot - Pick 6

This race could be very interesting if (2) SELFIE QUEEN insists on the lead. It isn't that she is incapable of yielding but more that she's better when in control. Either way, (3) LILBITALEXIS rolled past her easily last week and should be sitting no worse than second; edge. (5) RAISED BY LINDY basically stole her elimination with a soft half so I don't know if she'll be on the lead here. Walner filly is certainly fast enough and trip is the only concern. (10) JOVIALITY S has only been worse than second once in 10 career starts and she has the early speed to overcome the bad post. She has a big shot to get a piece but needs to prove she's fast enough to win.

Race 9: $600,000 Breeders Crown 2YO Colt Pace

Top to bottom this is probably the most talented field of the four finals on Friday. (7) BEACH GLASS emptied the tank in his elimination and found his bottom, which is probably a good thing for an untested horse who needed to get down to the speed of his competition. Talented son of Somebeachsomewhere can build on that mile with any reasonable trip. (2) MONTE MIKI impressed me with a very professional score last weekend and we might still see value with him. (3) PEBBLE BEACH is a killer off cover and showed some guts last week by digging in late, which was a bit of a new dimension. (8) HAMMERING HANK made a bold move to come up second best behind #2 last time and he could be tighter here in his second start in four weeks. (4) SIX FEET APART wore down the top pick in the elimination. A repeat performance puts him in the picture.

Race 10: Non-winners $10,000 (NW L2 $11,000) in last 5 or in 2021/TM 88.3 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) DORSODURO HANOVER drops out of the Breeders Crown where he had no shot and into this more appealing overnight event. Expect Gingras to be firing hard off the gate. (5) HURRIKANE EMPEROR made a decent return from a year on the sidelines. Five-year-old has always been fast and just needs to get some conditioning. (2) EXPLOIT drops on paper but really doesn't get much relief. He did show late pace a week ago.

Race 11: Non-winners 2-3 races or $20,000-$30,000 life

(9) MIDNIGHT REBEL showed high speed at Hoosier and now gets an interesting trainer and driver switch. (4) ATLAS HANOVER gets a ton of class relief but is still winless in 12 starts. (7) VELOCITY GATOR moved into this barn last time and produced similar results. Seems odd they would ship here for nothing, so maybe we see more now.

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Race 12: Non-winners $20,000 in last 5 or 9 races life

(5) OAKWOODANABELLA IR raced valiantly versus Test Of Faith in the Courageous Lady and now finds a sweet spot, albeit against some older mares. (4) SO MIKI HANOVER is another 3-year-old facing older and this gal has been great all year. She even beat aged foes at Philly two starts back from post 8. (6) LOVELY DONNA has been keeping some good company and is clearly sharp.

Race 13: $10,000/$15,000 Claiming Handicap

(4) MAYFIELD DUKE is probably not the best horse in the field but he is certainly the sharpest. Quevedo trainee should be forwardly placed and in with a big shot. (1) BANK SEA has sketchy form on paper but is capable when feeling right, so don't toss him too quickly. (6) MR MCDREAMY drops in for a tag and could awaken. (5) WINNING LINC likely picked up some confidence with the win at Freehold; Tetrick drives now.