Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 11/17
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MEET STATS: 125-36-17-21 / $165.90 (-$84.10)
BEST BETS: 9-9-0-0 / $32.10 (+$14.10)
SPOT PLAYS: 8-1-1-1 / $4.20 (-$11.80)
BEST BET: SHEZAFREAKLIKEME (12th)
SPOT PLAY: SAY YOU DO (3rd)
Race 1: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 - Pick 5
(9) JUST A ROCKET MAN has been stuck in outside posts the last two tries at Freehold and gets unlucky here with another one, though the bigger track makes it more manageable. Aggressive amateur should put him in play. (1) MV OK PALACIO BR and (2) IN NEVADA N are both making their second starts back from a break in action of more than a month and either could step up with an improved performance.
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Race 2: Trackmaster 74 (NW L2/2L4 74.5/75) or less/NW $1,000 in last 4 - Survivor 7
Not a ton of form in this field and perhaps (2) TEXAS MIKI can awaken here. The 5-year-old owns mile-track success and drops in class. (1) PRINCE MCARDLE N was used hard two starts back and lacked a late kick but he’s clearly been much sharper since the trainer change and addition of Lasix. (7) MAGRITTE drops out of tougher claiming races for this low Trackmaster spot. He could improve tonight.
Race 3: Non-winners $3,000 in last 4/TM 77 or less
(5) SAY YOU DO turned in a very nice qualifier in his debut for the Buter barn while appearing to have something left at the end and showing no signs of the breaking issues that had been plaguing him. (4) C YOU AGAIN DK has displayed improvement recently and might enjoy the big track. (9) NEWELL PLACE is in fine form and capable of taking air. (8) BROWNIE gets a major driver change. (7) FASHION FOREVER gets an interesting driver change to Zeron
Race 4: Trackmaster 74 (NW L2/2L4 74.5/75) or less/NW 2 in 2023/Opt. $10,000 Clm. - $3,432 Pick 8 Carryover
(1) RACIN FOR ROYALTY comes to town in good form and faces a field that has been win-shy. (6) ERA OF LOVE wasn’t bad last time after drawing post 10 and might have even more in the tank now in her second start in four weeks. (2) MOMMY SAID NONONO picks up a driver who isn’t afraid to put a longshot in play.
Race 5: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1
(7) SPORTS ADVISOR goes out for a barn that is perfect in two starts this year after a 29-year layoff as a listed trainer. I’m going to take a shot that this horse will be live as he picks up Lee in the bike. (3) LYONS PRIDE perked up nicely on the class drop and should post a solid mile. (2) SHORE OF HIMSELF was a victim of a tough trip most recently; contender. (6) TIDAL SHARK hails from a good trainer/driver combination in these amateur ranks.
Race 6: Non-winners $5,000 in last 4/TM 80 (NW L2 80.5) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4
When last seen here (7) CHIPLOSIVE was racing two classes higher and proving to be successful. He could be a sneaky play returning to town with sketchy form. (9) HOCKEY HANOVER has big early speed and it would be no surprise if he took this field wire to wire. (3) DEADLINE HALL has raced well in both starts over the track. (10) PORTOFINO drops for Burke/Miller and seems worth considering.
Race 7: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 2
(1) WHAMMER JAMMER came to play in his first start for new connections and should be set up nicely in a field with plenty of early speed. (10) T DOG is certainly capable in this class and he adds Lasix here. If the pace truly is wild he could be a player at big odds. (2) ROCK ON LINE had a perfect trip and hung against the top pick a week ago; contender. (7) I’M BURLINGTON N is in form again and clearly dangerous.
Race 8: Non-winners $2,000 (NW L2 $2,200) in last 4 - $18,334 Pick 6 Carryover
(5) DECISION DAY got caught in a quick mile last week and closed in reasonably well. His best wins this but a number of horses in here are very capable. (7) HIGH BALLER adds Lasix and could certainly step up. (6) CHIEFS BEACH gets class relief. (8) HEZA REAL DIAMOND improved on the plunge to this basement condition last time; threat. (2) BOILER MAKER seems to be slowly rounding into form.
Race 9: Non-winners $7,500 in last 4/TM 82.5 (NW L2 83) or less
(3) PINEWOOD HANOVER arrives for a good barn from Yonkers while dropping in class and may just enjoy the big track experience. (4) TIMESTORM finished ahead of the top pick two back at Yonkers. He was in too tough last time over this oval. (8) SWAN CAPTAIN comes off a steady mile and takes the same class drop as #4.
Race 10: Non-winners $5,000 in last 4/TM 80.5 (NW L2 81) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4
(8) ILLUSION SEELSTER comes off a big mile at Cumberland Run and anything close to that here would result in a win. (1) THE CHARGING MOA N has plenty of form and class. I don’t love Plainridge shippers but this guy might be able to succeed in this spot. (7) MY HUNGRY GIRL has some ability but needs to work out the right trip.
Race 11: Winners 2-4 races or $50,000 life
(3) OH LOOK MAGIC was hot behind the gate in his Burke barn debut after missing 25 days of action and broke. Back in only nine days now and back on the big track this guy could pop a good mile. (5) TACTICAL PLANNER has the speed to make the top and looks like the most reliable option in the field. (8) FASHION KEN has been coming into form of late but will need some help to win.
Race 12: Non-winners $3,000 in last 4/TM 77.5 (NW L2/2L4 78/78.75) or less/Opt. $12,500 Clm.
(3) SHEZAFREAKLIKEME has a couple of starts under her belt now and catches a lackluster group. Chiodo should put her on the point here and look to go down the road. (2) BELTARA has been floating around in some lower level stakes. Let’s see how she stacks up here. (8) SHELTER IN PACE has a big closing kick but may not find enough early pace to set her up.
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Race 13: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,250) in last 4/TM 83.5 or less
(3) CELIA B MONEY brushed and crushed in her Burke barn debut and a repeat performance seems likely. (5) CHEVRONS BYPASS N was just even while facing better in his first start in this country. These Down Under shippers from this barn tend to need a start so I wouldn’t discount her just yet, though it is curious that Miller lands on #10. (8) TWIN B ECHO has good form.
Race 14: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2/2L4 71.5/72) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm.
(2) SPORTS HERO scored when last in this class two starts back and seems like the clear one to beat tonight. (8) GOTTA MINUTE N drops down and could show more. (5) ARCHETTO HANOVER has been close in both starts since coming east. He’s taken a few weeks off and maybe that will help.