Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 12/16

MEET STATS: 0-0 / $0.00

BEST BET: HOCKEY HANOVER (4TH)

SPOT: INTO THE UNKNOWN (12TH)

Race 1-N/W $5,000 LAST 5. Fillies & Mares. Pace - $47,199 Pick 5 Carryover

(10) IVORY HANOVER moved into the Cullipher stable for the first time and ran into road trouble at Yonkers. Bettors Delight-sired filly moves to the big track and teams with Dunn for the first time. (5) SHEZAFREAKLIKEME made her Meadowlands return with a solid closing effort from a tough spot. This mare can clearly leave the gate and is capable of the upset. (6) CASH ROLL retains the services of Scott Zeron off a pair of sharp closing miles.

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Race 2-N/W $5,000 LAST 5. AE: TMR 79.5. Trot

(5) HUNTING AS has had some very difficult journeys in his last two over the track. David Miller's choice in here and likely a wise one. (10) REFI is a veteran with the winning habit. Post may present a minor issue but class relief likely to be advantageous. (2) FIT BIT makes his debut for trainer Ron Burke off a qualifier at Yonkers that's hard to read. Five-year-old will be tested for class with these.

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Race 3-N/W $3,000 LAST 5 Fillies & Mares. Pace

(1) CHERIE AMOUR ships in from Woodbine-Mohawk off consecutive victories. That said Mach Three-sired lass has missed some time but not enough to worry against this type. (6) PURAMERI was a solid NYSS filly last year as a sophomore. Drolet-trained lass made her Meadowlands debut a winning one but now meets a bit tougher. (7) CORSINI A returns to the big track at a reduced level and picks up the always aggressive Joe Bongiorno to boot.

Race 4-N/W $7,500 LAST F5. AE: TMR 82. Trot

(1) HOCKEY HANOVER blew out a similar field at Harrah's Philadelphia in last. Veteran performer has always been good in the colder weather and seems ripe to take advantage at this class and with this post. (3) ROMANTIC WARRIOR has obviously stepped up his game racing older foes in recent weeks. Gingras will keep him in the hunt for sure. (5) DELTASUN A is a longtime classmaster that returns following a solid qualifier making his debut for new connections.

Race 5-Track Master Rating 84.5 Fillies & Mares. Pace

(4) JODY takes a significant drop in class for the Burke team that have a pair in this one. With Gingras in the bike expect more action early and hopefully a late response. (2) LOVE ME HILL gets some post relief off a solid local debut. Sophomore Ohio-bred filly has managed to finish third in nearly half of her races this year, a remarkable accomplishment but hardly inspirational to win bettors. (5) SLYMARS DRAGON put in a big effort from post eight at Yonkers last week for Team Bongiorno and figures to transition nicely in this class.

Race 6-GSY 1. Trot - $50K Gtd. Pick 4 Pool

(4) WILLIAM MCWHISKERS gets owner Pete Kleinhans in the bike in this amateur event and has a distinct advantage class wise. A look at his most recent efforts suggests he's been overmatched and now gets the benefit of the draw. (6) CLAYTONS BETTOR N is a classy veteran that shows up each week to play. With his early speed he figures to get involved and stay close to the action. (3) IMA HAPPY FELLA GB is difficult to assess class wise but did qualify well on both occasions at Monticello and may fit the bill here.

Race 7-N/W 2 extended pari-mutuel races. 4 Year Olds & Under. Pace

(6) SHARKY BEAR had been racing well at Pocono until the meet closed and then had a pair of difficult assignments at Harrah's Philadelphia. That aside this He's Watching-sired gelding has exhibited speed and staying power and should go well for Dave Miller. (7) AUSSIE HANOVER has done well since joining forces with Gingras in the bike racing predominantly from off the pace. With this draw expect more aggressive handling. (8) IDEAL BEACH had missed more than a year before his return at Freehold last week. Gelding did show talent as a sophomore and can surprise.

Race 8-GSY 1. Pace

(6) SPORTS HERO is a hard-hitting consistent sort from the Bongiorno stable that fits comfortably in this class. (4) ALWAYS A PANTHER gets a measure of post relief and seems as good on or off the pace for a solid pilot. (2) FEELIN AMERICAN came up a little short when free-wheeling on the engine last time out. Perhaps under a better rated mile he'll be close at the wire.

Race 9-N/W $10,500 LAST 5. AE: TMR 84.5. N/W6 Ext. PM Races. Trot

(3) DEE’S RED DELICIOUS was perhaps a bit too aggressive trying to take a better field down the road in last. Travis Alexander-trained 4-year-old finds a bit softer spot this time around and could benefit with a bit of cover. (1) SWAN TRIXIE may be a sophomore racing older horses but that's not a major concern in December. Indiana-bred has shown stakes talent and was rather impressive in her second start over the track. (9) KING ALPHONSO exudes class and a field perhaps looking for some. Only question mark is eight months on the sidelines.

Race 10-N/W $7,500 LAST 5. Fillies & Mares. Pace - $50K Gtd. Pick 4 Pool

(3) PEARL HARBOUR N got the Dunn vote of confidence over two others in here. Somebeachsomewhere-sired import appears to have been racing at an elite level Down Under and could be ready to make the transition to North America in style. (9) PRAIRIE WESTERNGAL is obviously battle tested having raced competitively in high classes at Hoosier recently. Veteran has speed and can overcome the draw. (6) MAJOR BATTLE didn't fire when pulled early from the pocket last time. Most likely Gingras will benefit from that knowledge and apply it this week.

Race 11-Track Master Rating 74. Pace

(5) SMOKESTACK was never in the hunt in his Meadowlands debut last week but paced evenly to the wire. Sophomore had shown some late-season promise at Saratoga and may prove up to the task here. (3) RAPTORS FLIGHT N has done well here in the past and seems the one to beat off the claim by Odza. (4) CHIEF OF STAFF gets some post relief off a no-chance outing.

Race 12-N/W 2 Extended P.M. Races. Fillies & Mares. Pace.

(3) INTO THE UNKNOWN made a huge bull-rush move to the lead in her Meadowlands debut last week and raced strongly until midstretch where she caved in. Off that trip she should be much tighter and show her true talent this week. (5) IPANEMA HANOVER came up a little short in her Cullipher debut but returns and this time has Dunn in the bike. (1) ALWAYS B SOMEWHERE has shown steady improvement but may not be ready to break her maiden just yet.

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Race 13-N/W $3,000 LAST 5. AE: TMR 76.5. Trot

(7) ALL AMERICAN N has been racing well while dropping down the class ladder. Eight-year-old finds a soft spot here to regain winning form. (6) WORKOUT GIRL takes a significant drop in class after a much needed start and may prove more than meets the eye. (1) WOW LESTER is placed to share.

Race 14-Track Master Rating 74. Fillies & Mares. Pace

(10) SOMTHNGABOUTMARY N can be excused for getting parked in her first start in three weeks. Veteran import does get the worst of the draw once again but seems more than capable of overcoming the obstacle in a blank field. (5) CREAM VIRGIN looks to be another late bloomer with potential for trainer Ivan Llopez. (3) DOCS FAITH made a costly break in last; picks up Dunn and can bounce back.