Meadowlands

Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 1/14

Derick Giwner|Jan 12, 2022

MEET STATS: 30-8-3-4 / $43.40 (-$16.60)

BEST BETS: 2-1-0-1 / $3.60 (-0.40)

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

BEST BET: BOUJEE GIRL (3rd)

SPOT PLAY: DARKRSHADEOFPALE N (13th)

Race 1: $30,000 Claiming - Pick 5

(7) DARTH FADER rallied well from an impossible spot in his first start for new trainer Capone. Let’s look for him to be more forwardly placed this week. (2) AIR GUITAR was one of a bunch of winners for a barn that simply couldn't lose last weekend. Whether those charges will keep their form is a big question but if this one does, move the others up. (1) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE has been racing well in this class and seems like a must-use, at least underneath.

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Race 2: GSY/MLK Remembrance Race

(2) ELYSIUM SEELSTER has raced well in consecutive starts and only needs to be kept in striking position to have a big shot here. (8) KINGOFTHEJUNGLE gets a new driver this week and I wouldn't be shocked to see him fire this guy off the gate. (3) MY DELIGHT has kept decent company and could be live here for top amateur Joe Lee.

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Race 3: Non-winners 2/3 races or $20,000/$30,000 life - Survivor 7

I wasn't at all surprised to see Gingras choose off (5) BOUJEE GIRL for #8 as it is a better long-term decision. That said, Boujee Girl finished with good late life in her first start in five weeks and I'm expecting a much more aggressive effort this week, plus a better price due to Gingras' decision. (8) BIRDMAN got away with his own fractions and lasted on the rim while beating many of these a week ago. If they let him, he can steal it again. (6) SAN CRISTOBAL was used early and paid the price. The trip almost has to get a bit better this time.

Race 4: $7,500/$10,000 Claiming Handicap - MLK Remembrance Race

(4) ROCKAHOLIC is no stranger to this track and the winner's circle here. Veteran picks up one of the better drivers in this group and could provide serious value coming off a pair of slow miles on a slow track. (6) OPUS BLUE CHIP wired a field in this class a couple of weeks back. (8) SUNSHINE'S FINEST drops back down in claiming price. You really can't fault his form.

Race 5: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 $2,750) in last 5/TM 78 (NW L3/5 78.5/79)

(3) CHEERS FOR CHIPS moves into a new barn and drops into the basement. There are some questions here as far as missed time, but I'm going to take a long look at him in the post parade as a potential price play. (8) NASHURALLABILITY picks up Gingras and gets to drop in class tonight. Last time she had plenty left late in the mile. (5) LITTLE SANDY TOES was just even in his first start for new connections. In a field that seems to lack early speed, don't be shocked if she guns out.

Race 6: Non-winners $7,000 in last 5/TM 84 (NW L3/5 84.5/85) - $50K GTD Pick 4

It was hardly a surprise when (5) LA BELLA VITA N was raced uber-patiently and sent the bulk of the win tickets up in flames as the 3-5 chalk. Now with a start under her belt, expect another only slightly better price as she is likely put in play. (6) ALWAYS MINDY wasn't very sharp last week and I'm just going to give her a pass for that effort. She should be gunning to the front here as she reunites with Hanners, who drove her to victory two starts back. (7) UPTOWN LADY N drops in class and should offer value.

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

(1) SEVEN NATION ARMY didn't have much chance from post 10 coming off a five-week layoff. Knowing that he is in the sale on Monday, you have to think he'll be firing out in this spot. (3) BRIGITTE BI is another one slated to sell in the Mixed Sale. Class drop here means she should be plenty live; using in Pick 4. (9) SEVENSHADESOFGREY came up short last time. I might consider him at big odds this week. (8) WISHING BAREFOOT had a shoeing change last week and turned in a big mile. It is not farfetched to expect a repeat.

Race 8: TrackMaster 79 (NW 2 of L5 80.1) or less - Pick 6

(2) ATOMIC BLAST N gets some major class relief here, though there remains a big question as to how good she is after just six starts and no wins in 2021. I wouldn't take 3-5, but at 5-2 he seems like a play. (5) LYONS LIBERTY is another that will definitely be on my pick 4 ticket. He was used up in a hot pace last week chasing a horse that is far his superior and now gets to face a softer group. (7) BURNING BLAZE has done well in two recent starts over the track and owns enough early speed to get in play.

Race 9: Winners 2-4 (NW L3 5) races lifetime

(6) DASHINTOTHEBEACH N dealt with some traffic and finished up steadily in her first start back from a six-plus week mini-vacation. Sale-bound mare seems worth a look here despite Zeron choosing #9. (5) ROSE RUN VICTORIA put in a steady mile from an outside post in her first start since August; improvement very possible. (2) SILVER TAIL was game in victory last week and should still offer value tonight. (3) ALUMNI SEELSTER, (8) DIVINE DEO & (10) ALTA MADEIRA N are a few more to consider in what appears to be a wide-open race.

Race 10: $40,000/$50,000 Claiming Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) BENJI'S BEST takes a meaningful drop in class for a barn that has started the meet strong. (7) LIFEONTHEBEACH A also sees a decrease in claiming price. He’s still stuck outside but should enjoy the softer company. (2) BALLERAT BOOMERANG might have picked up some confidence against weaker last time.

Race 11: Non-winners 2 races or $25,000 life/Maidens draw inside

(5) HESTHERIGHTSTUFF drops into a much softer spot and faces a very questionable field. (6) DONTPASSME HANOVER has qualified in good order with some nice final quarters. (7) CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN has been on the sidelines for well over a year but did come up with a qualifying win.

Race 12: Non-winners $4,000 (NW L3 $4,400) in last 5/TM 81 (NW L3/5 81.5/82)

(8) VIC’S WINNER didn't quite perform up to my hopes last weekend but does get a nice driver change and class drop to help the cause. If we don't see a positive race here, it may be time to jump ship. (6) HENDERSON SEELSTER has behaved in back to back races and seems to be moving in the right direction; very capable. (4) EV'S GIRL could certainly improve in her second start back from a few months off. (1) MARVELOUSTRIX is very capable at this level but seems like a better fit for the exotics.

Race 13: Non-winners $4,000 (NW L3 $4,400) in last 5/TM 81 (NW L3/5 81.5/82.45)/Opt. $11K Clm.

(9) DARKRSHADEOFPALE N found herself in a difficult position last Friday and made up a ton of ground late to just miss as one of the favorites. The outside post was a bit concerning until I dug deeper in her PP lines and saw a June 11 wire-to-wire score in this class and other early speed efforts out of town. (5) MILADY DENVER A took some air uncovered last time and held reasonably well versus a classy winner. Class drop this week can't hurt her chances. (2) BEACH BOUTIQUE got hung out most recently and followed it up with a scratched-sick line. We probably haven't seen the best she can offer. (10) BREAK THE DEAL was overdriven making her first start since August. We may need to wait another week on her but I wouldn’t say she can't win.

Race 14: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 $2,750) in last 5/TM 78 (NW L3/5 78.6/79)

I’m having a hard time getting excited about any of these horses, but we'll settle on (6) SHAKE IT LINDY as the top pick. He returns to a mile track for the first time since 2017, which really isn't that surprising since he didn’t race from 2018 to 2020. Maybe the barn switch, new driver and change in scenery will make a difference. (8) MY BIG KADILLAC drops in class off a solid mile. Callahan seems to get along with him; obvious threat. (2) ST JAMES GATE has an inside post and good enough form to play with these right now.

Race 15: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 $2,750) in last 5

(1) THNDRFRMTHETHRON N freefalls in class and has no excuses for failure. (6) HULOU makes his second start off the bench and could show more. (2) EFFRONTE A & (3) DECOY have both displayed the ability to step up with a big mile and neither would be a shock on the win end.