Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 1/20

WINTER MEET STATS: 56-13-9-9 / $75.80 (-$36.20)

BEST BETS: 4-0-1-2 / $0.00 (-8.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 4-1-0-1 / $5.00 (-$3.00)

BEST BET: RAPTORS FLIGHT N (11th)

SPOT PLAY: A BETTER GAME (13th)

Race 1: GSY 1 Pace - Pick 5

(2) MV OK PALACIO BR gets a better post to work with this week which should allow this closer to get away mid-pack. He catches one of the softer groups he has seen lately and should have a big shot. (7) A DEAL'S A DEAL was part of a fast pace last week that took away any chance of a victory; adds Lasix! (3) ALWAYS A PANTHER took advantage of the quick clip previously mentioned and rallied nicely. He has a shot in here but I wouldn't take a short price off that one good race.

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Race 2: Winners 1-2 races or $30,000 life/Maidens draw inside

(4) ON THE MONEY GB had some sneaky late pace on the end of his lone U.S. qualifier. The big question is how good is he? We'll find out. (1) SUPER GIRL had to wait in traffic for racing room before pacing home willingly behind a horse that was second here last weekend versus much better. She'll definitely be on my Pick 5 ticket. (6) SPEAK YOUR MIND wasn't bad in her return to the races after a two-month break; driver change tonight!

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Race 3: TrackMaster 74 (NW L3/5 74.5/75.06) or less - Survivor 7

(3) PERFECT QUEEN raced rather well last time despite missing a month of action. Four-year-old lands in a soft spot and has big-track experience. (4) SAUBLE DELIGHTFUL won at first asking for the new barn. (7) SKATEBOARD CHIC was used hard and paid the price most recently; driver change!

Race 4: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L3 $3,300) in last 5 or in 2022/TM 76.5 or less

It's unlikely that anyone is going to be excited about betting this field. (2) PAULIE WALNUTS finally went a clean line and perhaps trainer Rob Harmon finally has him figured out. (7) POKER PLAY was a horse I liked last week and he blew up on a gallop. He's worth a second look against a formless group. (6) HALLIAMA is fast enough if ready off the bench. Barn won a race here last weekend.

Race 5: GSY 1 Pace

This is a very competitive amateur event. (1) DEERFIELD BEACH is sharp, versatile and has one of the top amateurs in the bike. (2) SCRAPPIN GOLD hasn't been very sharp lately but hails from a barn that can certainly get them ready. (4) SPORTS HERO blew a GSY field away two starts back and is certainly worth consideration. (5) TEXAS TERROR N makes his first start as a 15-year-old and was certainly sharp when we last saw him in December. He was entered on the December 31 card that was canceled.

Race 6: $12,500-$15,000 Claiming Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) BACKSTREET LAWYER was hung out to dry from an outside post in his first start for this barn and first race since November. He can definitely be sharper now. (5) PERKINS and (8) SPOILERONTHEBEACH are two reasonably sharp shippers from Dover that could make noise in a race where any of these could step up.

Race 7: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L3 $5,600) in last 5/TM 79.5 (NW L2/5 80.10/80.5) or less

(5) PEARL HARBOUR N was bet off the board in her U.S. debut and now returns a month later off a bad qualifier that should be ignored since the trainer was in the bike. Keep in mind that David Miller chose her over #s 3 and 7. (6) PURAMERI is clearly the sharpest horse in the race. She can certainly win with a decent trip. (9) SHEZAFREAKLIKEME has big speed and has been putting it on display lately. With a slightly easier trip to the front than last week she could be dangerous.

Race 8: Winners 2-4 races (NW L3 5) or $50,000 (NW L3 $60,000) life - $5,044 Pick 6 Carryover

(5) PENCILS DOWN has a pair of seconds in this class recently and although he lost to (8) ADORE ME at Philly, that can be ignored since the latter set a slow pace on the engine. Adore Me is riding a three-race win streak but I'd rather play the #5 as second choice than her as the chalk. (4) HEADOVERBOOTS AS has a couple of decent efforts in this class.

Race 9: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3 $5,600) in last 5/TM 82 (NW L3 82.5) or less

(2) LADY ROCKNROLLA A has been on a roll and is certainly the one to beat again at short odds. (3) COUSIN picks up a more aggressive driver and could be put in play. It is worth noting that McCarthy chose off for #1. (5) KAITLYN N is a bit better off the pace and I'd think they'll be looking for a trip here.

Race 10: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L2 $11,550) in last 5/TM 84.05 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) NYLANDER is more than capable of winning in this class and only needs a reasonable trip. (3) CHIPLOSIVE scored in his last try in the NW10000 class. (8) GOTWUTEVERITTAKES seems to be going well now and at his best he can beat much better than these.

Race 11: TrackMaster 77 (NW L3/5 77.5/78) or less

(5) RAPTORS FLIGHT N was done in by a bad post and a brutal trip last week. He moves to the middle of the gate now and can take these to task. (6) HOMESTRETCH WES was also used very hard and wound up breaking; barn change; hmmm. (4) BRONSONS DELIGHT has returned from a brief break in good form and is another moving to a much better post.

Race 12: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L3 $5,500) in last 5/TM 79 (L5 80) or less

(6) MUSCLE FASHION was huge two starts back and more just ok last time; class drop tonight. (2) PLUMB and (3) FIT BITT are two more taking a step down the condition ladder and either is capable of showing up with a strong performance. Additionally, Zeron was lured off a horse that won (7) and finished second (8) to drive #2.

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Race 13: Non-winners $3,000 in last 5/TM 76.5 or less/Opt. $12,500 Claiming

(3) A BETTER GAME was a bit better in her second start back from a two-month break and now she not only draws a better post but also visits the basement condition. (9) SUNDAY AFTERNOON also drops a class and could provide value off a dull effort and a move to the outside of the gate. (6) GAITWAY GAL is the Delaware 3-year-old filly champion arriving after a five-week break in action. Is she ready? How does she stack up? Why did David Miller pick off? There are questions to answer, so demand a decent price if you like her.

Race 14: Non-winners $3,000 in last 5

Here's a formless race that is difficult to decipher. (6) MCCLINCHIE N drops to the bottom condition and has the early speed to take charge. 11-year-old is far from reliable but certainly lands in the right spot for a barn that can take advantage. (5) SONG CYCLE SENESE raced in this class last week but was stuck with a bad post in an insanely crazy race in terms of pace. Don't be shocked if he shows more here. (2) DASH OF DANGER changes barns; helps? (1) CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE moves inside and lured McCarthy off my top pick, but wasn't exactly great in his last go in this class from a good post.