Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 1/22

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2021
MEET STATS: 27-6-8-2 / $28.60 (-$25.40)
BEST BETS: 2-2-0-0 / $5.20 (+1.20)
BEST BET: MAJESTIC MOMENT N (5th)
SPOT PLAY: ITS MESMERISE N (6th)

Race 1: $7,500 Claiming - Pick 5

(7) CENTURY FERRARI switches hands in what looks like a private purchase. New trainer Fredi Herrera only has 43 starters since 2018, but 20 have hit the board and you know this small-stable guy is going to give his horse the complete attention necessary to get past the recent breaking issues; taking a shot. (5) BILLION DOLLAR DAY is far and away the sharpest horse in the field. He's probably the one to beat but hardly inspiring. (1) TWO FIFTYEIGHT N is another moving into a new barn, this one off the claim. He won in this class two starts back.

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Race 2: Non-winners 2 races or $20,000 life

Connections had high hopes for (2) HIPSTER K but he simply never behaved and was put on the sidelines. He finally makes his debut as a 4-year-old after a very solid qualifier where he showed no signs of trouble. I'll take a close look in the post parade before going to the windows, but if he looks good, I'm in. (10) R HERBIE BLUE CHIP was a very sharp winner here last week. He's the deserving favorite despite the difficult starting post. (7) MANHATTANUP NO ICE picked up his game with early speed a week ago and is worth some consideration, at least underneath, if he can reproduce that mile.

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

Race 3: Trackmaster Rating 73 or less

Here's a weak field and one of these horses is likely going to steal this race near the front. (4) HE'S GRATIS N stretches out on the big track for the first time since coming to these shores and has displayed good early speed on the half-milers. The missed time is somewhat concerning but I'm willing to take a shot. (6) THUNDER DOME put in two solid efforts in this class before the scratch line most recently. (1) ROCKIN PANDA moves to the inside of the gate and could certainly awaken.

Race 4: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5/TM 75.5 or less/Opt. $10K Clm.

(5) GOTWUTEVERITTAKES raced as expected last time with the exception of the nose defeat. There are no killers signed on so hopefully he lasts the mile this time around. (1) NAMJE improved in his second start off the bench and should prove a major player, especially if the top choice decides to break this week. (3) INNISFALLEN and (9) EURO GAP are both dropping to the basement condition and either could awaken.

Race 5: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5/TM Rating 81.91 or less

(9) MAJESTIC MOMENT N hasn't been here in quite some time but raced well in a much higher class back in late 2019. Eleven-year-old qualified very nicely and looked to have plenty left on the end of the mile. The only negatives are the outside post and defection of Dexter Dunn to #1. (7) LEVITATION lands in the same class but draws inside the main players and should be firing. (10) ESA is down in class and eligible to perk up. (2) ULSTER probably needs another race or two after missing a year and a half, but we know he is fast enough to trounce these on his best.

Race 6: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5 - $50K GTD Pick 4

(10) ITS MESMERISE N takes a very meaningful dip in class tonight and has enough early speed to overcome the unlucky starting spot despite the lack of faith from Todd McCarthy (driving #6). (7) GOLD ORCHID N wasn't bad last week but clearly needed the mile after three-plus months on the sidelines. She could certainly show much more now and I'm using her in the Pick 4. (4) ARNIE'S ANGEL raced well in this class a few starts back; exotics player.

Race 7: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5/TM 81.91 or less/Opt. $15K Clm.

(1) I GOT THE LOOKS double drops this week and while this isn't a soft NW4500, he should prove tough. (2) HALLIAMA raced reasonably well from a tough post last time. He moves to the inside of the gate now and deserves another chance. (5) MARLEY’S GUY had every chance and didn't get the win last time. Still, he's a player in this field, though he could be overbet with Dunn getting the assignment. (8) MAGICAL WINNER K picked up some confidence last week and may just be able to parlay that success into a on-the-board spot.

Race 8: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5/TM 78 or less/Opt. $15K Clm.

(2) SHELLIE DE VIE drops down in class like many of these and really should awaken, but so could a bunch in here. (3) STICK THAT LIP OUT and BRUNHILDA both were within a couple of lengths of the top pick last week and rate closely. (7) TEAM KIWI N added Lasix last time but didn't produce results. Don't be shocked if we see more now.

Race 9: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5/Opt. $20K Clm.

(2) ARABELLA'S CADET was trapped in an impossible spot last time as the odds-on winner handled the field with ease. I'd expect her to see daylight much earlier this time. (6) GRUDEN and (7) HENDERSON SEELSTER both have big early speed and either is capable off popping off a strong mile in this class. (9) TWO AM probably needs some pace help from the outside post, but he's classy and more than capable.

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

Race 10: Non-winners $11,500 in last 5/TM Rating 84.3 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) SHE'S NUN BETTOR N dropped to this class and was a solid second best. Anything close to a repeat effort puts her in the picture against a close-knit group. (3) BEST HONEY HANOVER gets an interesting trainer change to a barn that has woken a few up. (10) CALLMEQUEENBEE A would likely be the chalk from a decent post; contender. (4) I'M VERY SPECIAL is certainly fast enough given a clean trip.

Race 11: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5/Opt. $10K Clm.

(2) ANURKA went a brave mile in defeat in her first try for these connections; worth following. (1) AVAYA HANOVER moves to the inside of the gate and shouldn't have to work as hard to be in contention. (9) LAUGHING EMOJI N changes barns and could improve.

Race 12: Non-winners 3 races or $30,000 life

(5) LOOK IN MY EYES has run his streak of second-place finishes to four now and you have to think that Gingras will put him on the lead this week. (2) ROGER RABBIT faced some salty foes in recent weeks and should fit nicely in here. (1) FOCUS POCUS also exits a tougher race; contender.

Race 13: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5/TM Rating 75.5 or less

In a field without much form, (1) KNIGHTOFVICTORY hails from a very hot barn and seems worth a shot. (4) CAMPBELLINI moves into a new barn and could be worth a look at a decent price. (2) ALEXANDER HANOVER doesn't win often anymore but has the speed if he behaves and does pick up Dunn.