Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 1/13

WINTER MEET STATS: 28-5-4-4 / $33.60 (-$22.40)

BEST BETS: 2-0-0-1 / $0.00 (-4.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 2-0-0-0 / $0.00 (-$4.00)

BEST BET: NIGHT EXPLORER (1st)

SPOT PLAY: LADY ROCKNROLLA A (8th)

Race 1: GSY 73 Pace - Pick 5

(3) NIGHT EXPLORER gets an interesting trainer change here and a class drop as well. If this guy brings his best they'll be racing for second. (1) IN NEVADA N is certainly sharp but pace dependent and win-shy. (4) ALWAYS A PANTHER doesn't appear to have much form but a closer look shows he's been chasing some fast paces. He's a player with the right trip.

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Race 2: MLK Remembrance $7,500-$10,000 Claiming Handicap

(8) SD WATCH ME NOW was certainly facing better when at The Meadows and I'm not about to downgrade his chances after a break in his debut for the new barn. That start should provide some guidance for Cano to make a change or two to have this guy ready to roll. (2) MADDOX HANOVER moves to the inside of the gate for the 18-year-old Carter, who I looked up and saw he has a credible 11 wins in 113 career starts. (10) TIGERS WAY picks up the King and he loves to fire away from the gate.

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

(1) THE COOKIE MONSTER was better last time from the inside post and Buter only needs to keep her close to have a big shot versus a blank field. (3) CAMPORA N gets a nice driver change of his own and a sizable class drop. (2) ODDS ON BREXIT closed well last time and could be tighter in his second start back from a layoff.

Race 4: MLK Amateur/Pro TM 74 (NW L3 74.5/75.06) or less

(1) EVAS SPORTS CZECH has been decent in this bottom-level Trackmaster class and having Gingras in the bike this week is a huge plus. (3) MYMONSTERSAREREAL had no shot last time and finished strong in the prior start. This barn seemed a bit more live last weekend and could be sitting on some wins. (5) GOTTALOVEMYSHADOW adds a Hall of Fame driver to the equation.

Race 5: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L3 $5,500) in last 5/TM 79 (NW L3/5 79.5/80) or less

(6) BAUTISTA had transportations issues last week that keep him from racing. While his form doesn't look great, the talent is there and this group looks pretty dull. Let's look for off the pace tactics. (8) PETER’S ROYALTY drops down for the team of Gingras/Burke. (1) BLOGMASTER picked up a couple of thirds when last here in this class.

Race 6: TrackMaster 77 (NW L3/5 77.5/78) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(5) SPORTS HERO rolled impressively in the amateurs after joining this barn. Bongiorno takes over here and should have him pointed for the front again. (1) THNDRFRMTHETHRON N finally gets away from outside posts and back to a workable spot. (8) RAPTORS FLIGHT N can blow this field away if he minds his manners. (3) ART SCAPING has early speed and is certainly sharp, but he hasn't won in some time. (10) HOMESTRETCH WES was better than he looks on paper last time. The post isn't great but perhaps Gingras will fire him up and take a shot.

Race 7: Winners 2-4 (NW L3 5) or $50,000 (NW L3 $60,000) life

(8) ELLIOT CLOUD S broke against similar last week but I can't help but think a flat effort would've produced a much better result. Do you believe in second chances? (5) FORREST beat the top pick last time and is now riding a three-race winning streak. (9) PENCILS DOWN has been putting in good efforts since early December. (10) ESPLOSIONE has ability but seems likely to be handled patiently in his first start since November.

Race 8: Non-winners $5,000 in last 5/TM 79.5 (NW L3/5 80/80.5) or less - Pick 6

(5) LADY ROCKNROLLA A has been on quite a roll and I'm not sure the slight jump in class will put a stop to it. (2) SUNDAY AFTERNOON drops again as she searches for her form. (4) PURAMERI is another sharp horses moving up in class that may just be able to pull it off.

Race 9: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5/TM 82 (NW L3/2L5 82.5/83) or less

(5) HEAVENISSOFARAWAY improved greatly in start two with Lasix added and he really doesn't face much in this week. (7) PROTECT BLUE CHIP comes off a throw-out effort from post eight at Yonkers in the slop last time. I'd expect improvement in her second start for Bongiorno. (1) LETS RYDE GIRL moves way inside on the gate and that should allow her to stay in closer attendance early, where she likes to be.

Race 10: TrackMaster 86.75 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

With three from the Burke barn, two new Cullipher trainees and a bunch of other sharp horses, this race really is a crapshoot. Let’s try (9) WAHS FIRE BUG N as he ships in from Saratoga undefeated in two starts in this country. It is hard to say how good she is at this point but the qualifier was super and she earned a credible $119k overseas. (1) JODY won at this condition last time and is an obvious player. (8) SWEET CHARLIE switches to the Cullipher barn but more importantly picks up a Hall of Fame driver. (6) SOMEGIRLSOMEWHEREA reunites with Bongiorno, who won his last two starts behind her.

Race 11: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5/TM 81.5 or less

(6) SKYWAY KON MAN took on a much tougher group last time and has been facing better consistently over the last month or so. While this isn't a walk-over spot since he faces some sharp foes, logic would state that he'll perk up here. (3) ZLATAN has been racing rather well and enters a live barn while picking up a more accomplished driver. (2) INXS steps up in fine form and might just be sharp enough to make some noise.

Race 12: Non-winners 2 (NW L3 3) races or $20,000 (NW L3 $30,000) life/Maidens draws inside

(10) HUNTED HOUSE has qualified well and clearly owns some raw speed as evidenced by his work last year. If the time off moved him up, this field is ripe for the taking. (4) LYONS PRIDE was just even in a fast mile when debuting for this barn last time. This race should go slower. (6) LOU'S BEACH came up short in his first start for Burke but deserves a second look.

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Race 13: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L3 $3,300) in last 5 or in 2022/TM 76.5 (NW L3/5 77/77.5) or less

(2) PAPPY GO GO hasn't raced in five weeks but does drop in class tonight. Veteran isn't the horse he once was but can still turn up the dial against a group like this one. (5) POKER PLAY comes out of the same race as the top pick and finished well ahead of him that day. His best is more than good enough. (8) SHINKANSEN has big early speed and if the track is favoring that quality, watch out!

Race 14: Non-winners $3,000 in last 5/TM 76.5 (NW L3/5 77/77.5) or less

(6) ONECROOKEDLEG finds a field loaded with early speed and he finished quite nicely last time. With that being her first good effort in some time, perhaps she's ready to turn the corner. (2) ODDS ON GAMMA wasn't bad in the slop most recently and we get a nice driver upgrade now. (1) LOVELY LADY MAY comes in sharp and she did win over the track last year. (7) PLEASURE SEEKER has raced well since the barn change and she did win here last time, albeit versus slightly cheaper.