Meadowlands

Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 1/21

Derick Giwner|Jan 19, 2022

MEET STATS: 60-14-8-7 / $78.60 (-$41.40)

BEST BETS: 4-1-0-1 / $3.60 (-4.40)

SPOT PLAYS: 4-1-0-1 / $6.00 (-$2.00)

BEST BET: SONIC FLARE (9th)

SPOT PLAY: LOVEDBYTHEMASSES (10th)

Race 1: TrackMaster Rating 82.5 to 88/NW $10,000 last 5 or 1 race since 9/21 - Pick 5

(6) LA BELLA VITA N was driven to win last weekend and delivered in style. She seems worth following versus a better group this time. (1) DARKRSHADEOFPALE N is one of a couple in here stepping up in company. She's been placed in impossible spots lately and can go with this group with a top effort. (5) MAJOR BATTLE has been swimming in deeper waters at Yonkers but also hasn’t started in six weeks. If the price is juicy and the warm-up looks good, I'd take a shot.

[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]

Race 2: Non-winners 2/3 races or $20,000/$30,000 life - Maidens draw inside

(1) ROSE ABOVE IT moves into a barn that was hot last week. If they can get just a bit more out of him, an upset would be within reach. (7) BIRDMAN in theory gets another free ride in this class. If they let him get away soft on the engine he'll likely win again. (4) CHASE A CHECK hasn't seen a good post in quite some time. He could be worth a look as a deep sleeper from the middle of the gate.

[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!]

Race 3: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5/TM 78.1 or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm. - Survivor 7

(3) GOTTALOVEMYSHADOW drops down in class and it is interesting that she isn't in for a tag after such poor efforts since the claim. Big driver change to Gingras tonight. If we can get a decent price I'll take a shot. (1) PAPPY ROCKS was never in play last week but should find early speed here. (6) BE BEST has been racing better since dropping to this class.

Race 4: GSY Pace

Solving this handicapping puzzle is more difficult than a Rubik's Cube. (2) SHEER TALENT gets an inside post to work with and seems highly likely to be gunning off the wings of the gate for a capable amateur. (9) WATCHMENEIGHNEIGH is arguably the best horse in the field with one of the better drivers in this series. (8) BUNGALOW BILL had no shot from the outside post last time and raced well previously here. He's got as good a shot as any in this field.

Race 5: $7,500-$10,000 Claiming Handicap

(8) PIRATES ALLEY drops in claiming price and adds Gingras; winning combination. (2) OPUS BLUE CHIP beat many of these last week and looks for three straight here. (3) DASH POINT HANOVER had a tough trip two back here. With smoother sailing he can get a piece.

Race 6: Winners 2-4 (NW L3 5) races lifetime - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) ALTA MADEIRA N has yet to be unleashed since coming over from Australia. Is tonight the night? As long as she lands in the 7-2 range or higher, I'll be looking her way. (1) DIVINE DEO is as fast as any in here but sometimes lacks the desire at the wire. (8) LADY LOU comes off a disappointing 2021, but she qualified back nicely and has some ability. (4) JM BETONSIX comes down from Canada and enters the Burke barn, plus Gingras chose her over #1.

Race 7: GSY Pace

(6) MY DELIGHT came up short after missing four weeks of action. Seven-year-old was one of the highest earners in this group last year and fits nicely on pure speed as well. He could be an interesting price play. (4) PREPPY ART was raced from behind and that's simply not his game. Early speed should be coming tonight. (2) KINGOFTHEJUNGLE has been racing well week after week, though I prefer him underneath in the exotics.

Race 8: TrackMaster Rating 79 (NW L3/2L5 79.2/80) or less - Pick 6

(2) ATOMIC BLAST N doesn't face the best field in the world and I just have a feeling he is going to pop off a big mile soon. Of course he could break as well; demand some value. (8) STELLAR BB drops down but has to find his way into the race from post 8. (6) SO TAKE THAT has form but faces slightly better. (1) BURNING BLAZE will likely be the favorite in this spot and while he can win, he's simply not faster than most of these.

Race 9: $12,500-$17,500 Claiming Handicap

(8) SONIC FLARE went parked every step of the mile to win last weekend and I see no reason why he won't come up big again. (6) CAPTAIN HILL was used hard and weakened late in his first start for a new barn. Tharps to Gingras in the bike this week! (10) UNDERTAKER is handicapped with the worst post but has been racing well. He should keep his form for new connections.

Race 10: Preferred Trot - $50K GTD Pick 4

(1) LOVEDBYTHEMASSES qualified back strongly and really hasn't missed that much time. Now 5, he is coming off a career year and finds the perfect spot to get on the board in 2022. (5) CRYSTAL FASHION is best near the pace and was nowhere near it last time. Will he leave the gate now? (2) DOUBLE ACCOUNT comes off a sharp win versus cheaper. He can sit close here and have an upset chance if things go right.

Race 11: Non-winners $4,000 in last 5/TM 81 (NW L2 81.75) or less

(3) BREAK THE DEAL finally gets a decent post to start from this week. When you combine the good post with sluggish competition, I wouldn't know where else to turn for a winner. (4) ALWAYS MINDY is one of a half-dozen in the field dropping in class while seeking form. At least she is likely to be near the front. (8) UPTOWN LADY N moves down the class ladder for the fourth straight week. She really hasn't been that awful in her last two starts.

Race 12: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 $2,750) in last 5/TM 78 (NW L3/5 78.5/79)

It what seems like a theme for the night, we'll take a shot here with (4) HALLIAMA. Gelding drops in company to the basement condition for a capable trainer/driver. (6) BLOGMASTER is another entering the Levine barn. If race 2 #1 races well, move this guy up. (8) MY BIG KADILLAC was used early and paid the price last time. This is a winnable spot. (2) PRESCOTT comes to town sharp from Monticello. Will that form transfer?

Race 13: Non-winners $7,000 in last 5 or in 2021/TM 84 (NW L3/5 84.5/85) or less

(3) CHIPLOSIVE gets more class relief this week and a better post to work with to boot. Cullipher trainees tend to wake up when down in company. (9) PAPPY GO GO is the other class-dropper in the field. He hasn't been very good lately but could certainly awaken. (1) HATIKVAH moves into the Burke barn and Gingras has done very well on the horses he has purchased.

Race 14: TrackMaster Rating 74.5 (NW L3 75) or less/Maidens draw inside

(2) IN THE NIGHT wasn't bad from a tough post in his first start for new trainer Dan Gill. Moving to the inside tonight I'd expect a more aggressive steer. (4) BET I’M LUCKY should be sharper in her second start back and the addition of Lasix will likely help as well. (8) I WILL DO IT has the early speed to make the front but is more of an underneath player for me.

Race 15: Non-winners $4,000 (NW L3 $4,400) in last 5/TM 81 (NW L3/5 81.5/82)

This seems like a spot where Gingras will wire the field with (3) MOVEOUTOFMYWAY K. The Per Engblom trainee has proven tough when he is put on the engine, though he does have a breaking issue. (2) THE IRISHMAN is certainly fast enough to win and he qualified well for new connections. (9) CLASSIC VENTURE & (7) LIONHEAD have been tackling decent company out of town and could be involved with the right trip.