Meadowlands

Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 1/28

Derick Giwner|Jan 26, 2022

MEET STATS: 90-20-12-12 / $127.60 (-$52.40)

BEST BETS: 6-2-1-1 / $6.40 (-5.60)

SPOT PLAYS: 6-2-0-1 / $25.00 (+$13.00)

BEST BET: AS ALWAYS (6th)

SPOT: CHIPLOSIVE (11th)

Race 1: $7,500-$10,000 Claiming Handicap - Pick 5

(5) DL'S BIG ELVIS changed barns and was spectacular in his first try. Six-year-old remains at the same level and should prove tough. (7) P-DRIVE HANOVER has been racing better lately and was second behind the top pick most recently. (6) CAPTAIN'S REIGN freefalls in claiming price and changes barns. Wakes up?

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Race 2: TrackMaster Rating 74.5 (NW L3 75) or less

(5) PATANJALI N raced evenly when here back in December and raced evenly. Now she arrives for a new barn and seems assured of sitting a pocket trip behind #6 while in better form. (8) CLASSICA did the heavy lifting and held for third most recently. (6) I WILL DO IT has early speed and some form; hard to completely toss.

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Race 3: GSY Pace - Survivor 7

It is always difficult to tell with these amateur races but (7) STELLAR BB certainly looks to be getting some class relief this week. Of course he'll still need a decent trip to win because these races can get western. (9) DREAM OUT LOUD N is a wonder as a 15-year-old who keeps winning despite his age. Millionaire picks up one of the better amateurs and should have a say. (5) PREPPY ART does his best work near the front and has taken back in both starts since the claim. New tactics tonight?

Race 4: Winners 2-4 (NW L3 5) races $50,000 life (NW L2 $60,000)

(3) STAY CLOSE comes to town off a win for the team of Burke/Gingras, which have both been having a great meet. This spot isn't a slam dunk, but we'll give them the narrow edge. (8) BEANTOWN MADNESS and (5) MUSCLE JACK both switch conditioned races to a more desirable spot and either could get the job done with a decent trip.

Race 5: GSY Pace

I spent more time on this race than any other and if I could put a "shrug" emoji here I would. The pace scenario and form situation are both sketchy. Ultimately my selections will be in driver order of preference, so feel free to go elsewhere if you like a horse, but also demand some value. (8) HES GONE BADDER, (6) WATCHMENEIGHNEIGH & (5) BUNGALOW BILL N.

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

(3) AS ALWAYS drops back down in company to the class where he has won two of his last three starts. Expect a big mile at a short price. (6) TRUFFLE DOG lost to a horse that looked slightly better than him last weekend. He may be looking at the same fate again. (2) LINNYCALLEDFRANKIE qualified back in good order but could be handled patiently returning from a few months on the sidelines.

Race 7: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5/TM 78 (NW L3/5 78.5/79)

(2) BREAK THE DEAL drops into the basement condition and I expect a big wakeup versus a questionable field. (1) TIAMOGONEDANCEN looks awful on paper but does get a key switch to the big track for top connections. (4) KAY’S DELIGHT makes her second start back from a long break in action and could show more now.

Race 8: Non-winners $4,000 in last 5/TM 81 (NW L3/5 81.5/82) - $14,033 Pick 6 Carryover

(2) LADY LOU got a needed start under her belt last weekend and now finds a field with plenty of early speed to set her up from just off the pace. Now 5, this daughter of Sweet Lou once was considered stakes-caliber. (6) STREAK THE LAWN drops down to the level of her last win. (1) BEST KEEPSAKE moves way inside and is also second-time Lasix. She has a shot to step up.

Race 9: Non-winners $10,000 in last 5/TM 87 (NW L3/5 87.5/88.1)

(7) KNIGHT ANGEL was purchased in the mixed sale for $57,000 on Jan. 17 and it will be interesting to see if he moves up for these connections. I'm inclined to think the answer is yes but I wouldn't want to take under 3-1 to find out. (6) REMEMBER TITANS was super last time and if he has found his groove, watch out! (9) SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN took the hobbles off in his second start for this barn and it paid off. Classy veteran is more than capable and Dube being in town to drive is a plus.

Race 10: Non-winners $7,000 in last 5/TM 84 (NW L3/5 84.5/85)/NW 1 race since 9/21 - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) NOTORIOUS PINK certainly came up a bit flat last time after missing over a month of action. Four-year-old gets to drop a notch this week courtesy of a gift also eligible condition and should be tough. (6) COUSIN MARY ships in from Canada with good credentials and looks like a fit. (3) DIVINE DEO shifts to a new condition and now faces more seasoned foes; form is solid. (1) ROYALTYWESTHO qualified well for new connections but hasn't raced since August. (5) MORNING HAS BROKEN lured Zeron off #6.

Race 11: Non-winners $4,001 in last 5/TM 81 (NW L3/5 81.5/82)

(5) CHIPLOSIVE improved a bit last week on the class drop and now he takes another very meaningful step down the ladder. He's supposed to win for a barn that does well with class-droppers. (9) VIC’S WINNER visited this level for the first time last out and raced very well; contender. (2) MARVELOUSTRIX will bide her time and pounce late if she gets a clear path.

Race 12: TrackMaster Rating 79 (NW L3/5 79.5/80) or less

(8) UNDERTAKER has been a mainstay in the claiming ranks but new trainer Sodano elected to protect him in this TrackMaster race. Can he get more out of this guy? The lack of early speed in the field gives him a serious chance to make an easy lead and Gingras in the bike also helps the cause. (3) BURNING BLAZE is another who could take advantage of the pace scenario and the form is certainly there. (5) SONIC FLARE is the one to beat on current form but he's moving from a live barn to a somewhat silent one. (7) ALL CHEDDAR is another coming down from Canada and this would seem to be a class drop.

Race 13: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 $2,750) in last 5/TM 78 (NW L3/5 78.5/79)

(1) BIG BILL BREEZE left, got shuffled and had nothing left late last week. The class drop to the bottom combined with a smoother trip could make the difference. (3) ALEXANDER HANOVER drops out of the same race as the top pick and gets major post relief as well. (8) HALLIAMA is always capable at this level and perhaps he'll get put in play sooner this time since he isn't coming off a break. (10) TAKE A WISH is every bit as good as any of these. Is there any chance Smith will gun her to the front? If so, watch out! (2) CLASSIC VENTURE is another getting the class/post relief daily double. He's also picking up Todd McCarthy on his return from vacation.