Meadowlands Analysis: Friday 2/3/12

MEET STATS: 30 - 125 / $254.00

Best Bet: HIGHER AND HIGHER (2nd) Spot Play: SONIC DANCER (7th)

Race 1

(1) CAM B ZIPPER wasn't going anywhere in last week's Clyde Hirt final. This shapes up as an easier spot. Put up or ship out! (2) BOLERO ANDREW looks like the favorite to me. This race is no walkover, though. (5) OUREA NOURRIR posted two big qualifiers and is clearly fast enough. (3) NATHAN FEELSGOOD made a nice move last time. One day he will put it all together.

Race 2

(4) HIGHER AND HIGHER put in a huge mile to win on the engine last week over a tiring track. She is the queen of this series until someone dethrones her. (1A) ROCK N SOUL & (1) MODERN CONNECTION form a powerful Burke duo. Each qualified well but might need a start. (5) OCEANS MOTION comes off a big win at Yonkers and certainly likes to win.

Race 3

(4) FEARLESS DIABLO got Kakaley's call over #7, who he won with last week. That says something. With only five career starts it has taken this son of Art Major some time, but he finally seems to be on the right track. (2) REAL FLIGHT went a steady mile last week against better. I assume Tetrick will be much more agressive tonight; must use. (5) LONESOME ATTACK has some early zip, which could be important in this smaller field.

Race 4
(7) GINGER AND FRED was a good second behind Higher And Higher last week and seems to have a conditioning edge on (2) ROYAL CEE CEE N, who had a big 2011 in the Open ranks in Pennsylvania and loves to finish first. (5) MUD PIE HANOVER hasn't missed the board in a long, long time. This is a tougher spot, though.

Race 5

(2) IN FOCUS only needs to mind his manners to destroy this field. (8) HEIDI FALLS & (9) HABANERO have each had success here in the past and should be big prices on the board. (7) TSMLIL ORPHAN ANDY qualified back well and finds an easier spot.

Race 6

(8) BANK PRESIDENT steps up the claiming ladder after a nice win where he was used hard early. The price should be right to roll the dice with this guy again. (3) AISLING is hard to knock; must use. (6) VICTORS VICKY was keeping better company before taking a month off and chased a tough foe in the morning. (5) FOUNTAINBLEAU VOLO clearly has some go to him when he behaves.

Race 7

(4) SONIC DANCER tripped-out two back and really had no shot last week. With a couple of starts under his belt I think we could be in store for a big effort. (7) TYLER HANOVER put up some huge miles at Yonkers. Let's see what he is made of. (6) MICKEY HANOVER has proved game in three Meadowlands tries.

Race 8

(1) LOVE YOU ALWAYS comes with an interesting angle. Tetrick has picked just about every PJ Fraley horse this meet and he opted off #9 for a trainer that is 1 for 34 on the meet; hmmmm. (4) REILLYS DAUGHTER has posted three nice miles here since shipping in from Balmoral. (3) ODDS ON AVENTURE comes in sharp.

Race 9

(8) CAMERON CHIP drops down to face much easier. Only issue is she lacks early speed, but I think she is that much better than these. (9) CHAPLIN HALL arrives for a good barn and gets Sears. (3) YANKEE MANNY rode the cones and found plenty of stretch traffic. With the right trip he could spice up the exotics.

Race 10

We have the battle of the winning streaks here. (4) ITRUSTYOU takes on (2) SPECIAL T ROCKS in this Exit 16W split. Each has been awesome this year and it is hard to separate the pair. Slight edge goes to the former because he might have a better tactical spot drawn to the outside. (6) PANSAI YAMAMOTO raced well upon arrival.

Race 11

(9) DRAGON PRINCESS keeps disappointing me but was better last time. One last shot on top for me. (4) SAND PLEASURE has been very consistent. (7) GORDYYYS PET has good speed and moves in a couple of slots. (8) HERES MATTY has raced well since the claim; moves outside.