Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 1/8

FINAL FALL MEET STATS: 208-54-31-26 / $386.40 (-$29.60)
BEST BETS: 15-8-1-3 / $27.40 (-$2.60)
BEST BET: GET LEGS (Race 11)
SPOT PLAY: R HERBIE BLUE CHIP (Race 2)

Race 1: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5

(2) SOMTHNGABOUTMARY N has been stuck with outside posts for some time and I like the fact that Miller left hard with her from post 10 at 29-1 two starts back. She's far from a win-machine but looks capable versus a blank field. (3) FRANSCHOEK is another one who has been saddled with some difficult posts of late. Barn pulled off some upsets here during the fall meet. (1) CAVIART CATERINA raced ok here last time after missing four weeks of action; driver change tonight!

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

(2) R HERBIE BLUE CHIP closed steadily for third behind a 4-5 winner after the long break in action. That was his first start for solid connections and he might not even need to improve to beat this soft group. (5) STONEBRIDGE SYDNEY didn’t have it in her first start south of the border for Burke. She stretches back out to the big track and might be worth a second look. (8) LIGHT BLUE MOVERS is better than his 1-for-17 lifetime mark and he has the early speed to get involved from the start.

Race 3: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5/TM Rating 75.5 or less - Survivor Pick 7

(10) GOTWUTEVERITTAKES is the fastest horse in the field if he can somehow stay on stride. Obviously his ability to trot is a big 'if', but I'm expecting to see early speed with Allard in the bike on the class drop to the basement condition, and if the price is reasonable, he could be worth a play. (6) NAMJE seems to have his breaking issues squared away. His 1:55 3/5 mark at Vernon last year says he can trot with most in here. (7) IT AINT THE WHISKY has raced well in this class and the return qualifier was solid.

Race 4: Winners 0-2 races life

(6) KRISPY GINGER has gone some solid miles at Philly and seems to have some versatility; Dunn drives this week. (7) RUBY ON RAILS ships down from Woodbine where she put in some decent miles; worth serious consideration. (3) THE DOUBLE DEUCE is likely going to be the heavy favorite despite a 0-for-7 career record. She could win but I'm searching elsewhere.

Race 5: Non-winners $7,501 in last 5/Opt. $20K Clm.

(3) ROYALTYWESTHO was stuck with a difficult post last time and was facing much better foes in her previous start. Burke trainee should be ready for a top effort on the class drop. (4) ALWAYS MINDY found some early speed and raced well last time. (6) TEAM KIWI N adds Lasix and could perk up in a hurry. (8) QUITE A SIGHT and (9) BEST HONEY HANOVER have both proven competitive in this class and either could be leaving the gate tonight.

Race 6: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5/Opt. $20K Clm. - $50K GTD Pick 4

(3) HALLIAMA gets some class relief and he usually offers plenty of value on the tote board. (2) WINNERUP didn’t pick up his game with Lasix added last time but often it takes a start for the benefits to kick in. (4) GRUDEN has big speed off the gate but faces some other early zip to his outside which could hinder his chances. (1) SUPER SCHISSEL is certainly capable in this class and I'm sure his connections want to get in a big effort prior to the mixed sale on Jan. 18.

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

(2) LION SAFARI AS is not a horse I'm running to go bet, but he figures to be handled aggressively in a spot where I don't see a ton of early speed. (7) FINGALS WAVE gets some class relief and is one who could fire off the gate. (5) TAKE A WISH drops out of the same race as #7 and she really had no chance from post 10.

Race 8: Non-winners $11,500 in last 5/Opt. $30K Clm. - Pick 6

(4) HENDERSON SEELSTER gets a clear drop in class, though this is far from an easy NW11500 race. He's versatile enough to race from on or off the pace and that may be key here with plenty of speed to his outside. (5) CHIPLOSIVE seems to be in a tough spot class-wise, but as a dead-closer, he could be firing fast when the rest are getting shaky legs. (3) GODSPELL HALL is capable of popping off a big mile but very much unreliable.

Race 9: Non-winners $11,500 in last 5 or 6 races life/TM Rating 83.8 or less

In what shapes up as a very close-knit affair, (7) DBLDELITEBRIGADE N dropped six seconds from her qualifier in her first start on these shores and only needs to take a small step forward to be a major player. (8) CALLMEQUEENBEE A has little chance from post 9 last week in the same race as the top pick. Class drop here for a good barn likely means a live effort. (5) TANGO QUEEN is back at The Big M where she put in some nice miles in November. (3) ITS MESMERISE N shows plenty of lines against similar company where she has stepped up.

Race 10: Non-winners $17,500 in last 5 - $50K GTD Pick 4

(2) THE VETERAN is coming off a complete throw-out line after starting from post 10 following a five-week break in action. A 1:50 1/5 winner earlier this year, he's likely to blow out a big mile on or near the lead prior to selling on the backstretch here in the Jan 18 mixed sale. (6) HILL OF A HORSE raced very well here last time versus a horse no one was beating; contender. (3) SOME CHAPTER is coming off a spectacular year where he won 10 of 14 starts. He's likely going to be an underlay in this spot as he faces more seasoned foes. (8) JOEY finished just behind #6 most recently when I thought he would finish a bit better. I'm intrigued that David Miller chose him over three others.

Race 11: Non-winners 3 races or $30,000 life

Eventually the undefeated (2) GET LEGS will run into a good horse and lose his first race, but that seems unlikely to happen tonight. (7) SCIROCCO PATRICK has displayed a strong late kick in recent starts. (3) BEYOND ORDINARY faced a stakes-level foe last time and held his own. He should be forwardly placed tonight.

Race 12: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5/TM Rating 73 or less

(6) BE BEST was used hard on the class drop to this level last time and weakened some late. He's a good fit in this lackluster field. (1) FIREFLY arrives here in the basement condition and could be live ahead of the sale. (4) TEAL HANOVER hasn't seen a good post in this condition recently. I could see an aggressive try coming here. (3) PRETTY IMAGE closed well from a tough post most recently.

Race 13: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5/Opt. $15,000 Clm.

(2) EXPLOSIVE RIDGE attacked the leader hard last time and wound up losing to that foe and a fresh horse off the cones. Neither of those are in this field and this guy is plenty sharp. (6) EXS AND OHS has found himself in recent weeks and shows a win over the track in the past; live longshot? (5) ICINGON DE CUPCAKE drops in class and figures to show more; using. (7) RESITA has the ability to win but remains unreliable.