Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 11/5

MEET STATS: 112-44-18-19 / $175.40 (-$48.60)

BEST BETS: 9-6-0-1 / $15.60 (-2.40)

SPOT PLAYS: 9-2-2-4 / $7.40 (-$10.60)

BEST BET: JUST N ACE (2nd)

SPOT PLAY: CHICKEN NUGGET (6th)

Race 1: GSY Amateur Series - Pick 5

(1) NOTABADGAME took a couple of months off and returned for a new barn with a decent effort. Six-year-old has a nice post edge on the other ones I like. (10) FERNADO was never involved while going some good times in Ohio and now lands in a new barn with a driver that has done very well in the amateur races. (9) FERDINAND A gunned off the gate in her last amateur try. You can toss his last after starting from post 8 after missing a month.

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

(3) JUST N ACE gets a key barn change to Izzy Estrada, who has big numbers and excels with newcomers to his stable. This is a very soft spot. (7) AMERICAN CHROME changed stables last week, got class relief and improved nicely; more this time? (6) CAPTAIN’S REIGN has been trying to close at Philly which is not exactly a recipe for success.

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Race 3: GSY Amateur Series - Survivor 7

(6) SCIROCCO PATRICK just missed in this series two starts back and then got stuck in the 10-hole last time. He's missed a ton of time but that doesn't concern me with this barn. (7) LIFE WELL LIVED came up flat last time after missing 12 weeks and he could show more now. (3) INUKCHUK CHUCK is hard to love but could suck along and get into the number.

Race 4: TrackMaster 74.5 (NW L3 75)/Opt. $7,500 Clm.

(1) ROCKIN INDY moved into the Estrada barn and picked up a nice win last time. Against a weak field, why not again? (3) STATESMAN N moves to the inside of the gate and certainly should be on the lead. (6) BIG SWEEP OSBORNE has been on a roll lately and even overcame post 10 here last time.

Race 5: GSY Amateur Series

(1) BANK SEA improved as expected last weekend and finds himself in a good spot where he can sit close. If he moves forward slightly in his third start back from a couple of months on the sidelines, he should be right there at the wire. (4) FATHER SARDUCCI is fast away from the gate and should be firing for new owner-driver James Slendorn. (3) PARKLANE JET raced well from post 10 while finishing a few inches behind the top pick most recently. (9) KINGOFTHEJUNGLE comes off a string of races from outside posts on smaller tracks. If he leaves and finds a sweet tuck, he's good enough to win.

Race 6: $10,000-$15,000 Claiming Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) CHICKEN NUGGET doesn't win often and has lines that are far from appealing, but digging deeper, this guy has been saddled with tough posts and been keeping up for the most part. Maybe the switch to the big track and Dexter Dunn will spark some life into him. (3) WINNING LINC has won two straight including a nice win in this class last Friday. (2) MAYFIELD DUKE was a well-beaten eighth behind #3 last time but did race on the front into a stiff wind in the rain.

Race 7: GSY Amateur Series

(3) FRANCO TRISTAN N finds a field loaded with early speed, especially on the outside of the gate. If Tony Ciuffetelli can be patient, this veteran could be perfectly spotted to swoop by late. (8) JUST PLAIN LOCO has earned more in 2021 than any other two horses in the field combined. The main question will be what trip he can work out from post 8. (7) LUCK N ROLL K is one of the many outside speedsters. If he leaves hard enough perhaps others will change tactics? (1) BAILEYS ROCK N ships in sharp and seems to be finding his rhythm after a year on the sidelines.

Race 8: Non-winners $14,000 (NW L3 $15,400) in last 5 or 7 (NW L3 8) races life - Pick 6

My top three selections all come out of the same race and get class relief. (8) DOUBLE ACCOUNT gets the slight edge. He never had a chance last time and typically perks up in this class; adds Dunn. (1) HOCKEY HANOVER also never got involved a week ago. The only hesitancy here is the loss of Gingras and that he broke in his last try from post 1. (6) MAX has the early speed to make the lead but owns just one win on the year.

Race 9: Non-winners $7,000 (NW L3 $7,790) in last 5 or 1 race since 4-7-21

(7) MIKE’S Z TAM qualified back sharply behind a horse that is racing in a $220,000 stake at Hoosier this weekend. If Lachance decides to put him in play he can win here. (1) EXPLOIT drops in class and he's in the sale on Nov. 12 so this is the last chance to shine. (6) HEZA REAL DIAMOND has proven capable in this class but hasn't been as sharp as he once was early in 2021. Maybe the cold weather will help pick up his game?

Race 10: Non-winners $7,000 (NW L3 $7,700) in last 5/TM 79.1 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) PANSY'S IMAGE gets some needed class relief and seems likely to get an aggressive steer. (9) ARNIE’S ANGEL has displayed improving form in her last two starts and the switch to Dunn is intriguing. (3) ANNE BONNEY N seems to be facing the softest field she has seen in a while and a wake-up is not out of the question. (2) VH PRINCESS BREA is another with early speed who is dropping a notch.

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Race 11: Non-winners $7,000 (NW L3 $7,700) in last 5 or $8,365 in last 5

(2) TOP FLIGHT ANGEL was a solid second versus a good foe last time and you know he'll be forwardly placed in this spot. (5) LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND is another that seems likely to show early speed and he ships in off a convincing win. (8) STORMONT VENTNOR popped off a huge mile in his first start for this barn before breaking last time. At least you know he can go if he behaves. (1) CROSSFIT MOUSE is another that comes with a breaking risk and has enough speed to play with this group.

Race 12: TrackMaster Rating 92 or less

(5) MARLOE HANOVER exits the Breeders Crown and is supposed to be tough in this spot. (8) SHE'S NUN BETTOR N has some early speed and form; capable. (4) PRICELESS powered away nicely on a bad track last Friday and does have the class to play with these at her best.

Race 13: Non-winners $2,501 in last 5/TM 76.65 (NW L3 77.15) or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(2) BRUSH N CRUSH picks up Dunn here and tries the big track. In a field with no standouts, he could step up. (7) PAPPY ROCKS is a sharp shipper for a hot barn. (4) LOOKATMYART gets serious class relief but still owns just a 1-for-19 record. (5) ESCAPE AGAIN has a bit of class to her and really doesn't have to improve much to compete.