Meadowlands

Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 3/11

Derick Giwner|Mar 09, 2022

MEET STATS: 194-45-29-26 / $290.20 (-$97.80)

BEST BETS: 14-7-2-2 / $27.00 (-1.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 14-4-2-2 / $30.20 (+$2.20)

BEST BET: SCIROCCO ROB (6th)

SPOT PLAY: GREYSTONE NATALIO (13th)

Race 1: GSY Pace - Pick 5

(2) FERNADO attacked with all he had last week and held reasonably well. If he gets anything close to a decent trip he'll be heard from tonight. (7) JERRYTONE took a shuffle and finished mildly when clear in the stretch. He should have a good shot here but the price might be on the underlay side. (8) ALWAYS A FORCE closed well for second most recently. Driver is 10-for-11 in-the-money here this year.

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Race 2: Winners 1-2 races or $32,500 life/Not 3rd or better last 7/Maidens draw inside

(5) DONTPASSME HANOVER and (4) MEET THE CREEPER are both getting serious class relief tonight and one of them should win. I'll give a slight edge to the former on the thought that he might show some early speed. (2) SILVERSTONE kept up ok in some rather quick miles in Kentucky as a 2-year-old and seems worth at least a look on the track.

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Race 3: GSY Pace - Survivor 7

(5) S MCKEE came up with a solid mile last week in defeat and really doesn't face a tough group here. (9) KEEP COMING makes just his third start since last May and could certainly show a bit more now. (2) SVENGALI kept his mind on business and raced better last Friday. I wouldn't be surprised if he did more here.

Race 4: TrackMaster 74.5 (NW L3/5 75/75.86) or less/Opt. $7,500 Claiming

(1) KINGOFTHEJUNGLE lays over this field on paper, though it is hard to tell how sharp he is as it's been months since he's been outside the amateur ranks. I'm expecting speed and a sharp effort. (6) DEERFIELD BEACH took a bad shuffle and was steady when clear in the stretch last time. (2) SAFETY SECOND moves into a live barn and could certainly improve.

Race 5: GSY Pace Handicap

(3) FRANCO TRISTAN N is clearly down in class this week and picking up one of the top amateur drivers. In his last appearance in these races Lee finished first and second with him. (5) DOC SEMALU, (4) CAPTAIN'S REIGN and (7) MV OK PALACIO BR are all sharp and any of them can get the job done with the right trip.

Race 6: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5/TM 84.5 (NW L3/5 85/85.5) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(5) SCIROCCO ROB was handled patiently as advertised in his return from vacation and closed stoutly for fourth. In this soft class and with that start in hand, expect a big effort. (6) DELTASUN A drops a notch and although his recent lines are sketchy, a wake-up is very possible. (2) NO DRAMA PLEASE qualified back well after a break in his initial try. Six-year-old has some class but might need a race.

Race 7: Non-winners $4,500 (NW L3 $5,110) in last 5/TM 78.5 (NW L3/5 79/79.55) or less

There seems to be ample early speed in this race to set up a closer and (6) VINNY DE VIE fits the bill. Muscle Hill gelding is down in class this week and was a good third versus better in January here. Dunn joining the team is a nice plus. (9) ZOOMING seems to be rounding into form and while the 14-year-old isn’t the horse he used to be, he can still go zooming by if set up properly. (1) HATIKVAH gets trotting hobbles this week. Could that be the magic elixir that turns things around for him? (5) ZLATAN is another closing threat but one that is better suited for a cheaper spot. (8) SEVEN IRON adds Tetrick this week.

Race 8: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5/T< 87.5 or less - Pick 6

(6) BIG OIL drops down off a solid mile and really should handle this group unless (9) DOUBLE ACCOUNT guns to the front and comes up with a monster mile, which is possible. (2) SPIRIT OF DEO has a couple of starts under her belt now after a long time on the bench. A step forward seems likely.

Race 9: TrackMaster 79.5 (NW L3/2L5 80/80.8) Series Leg 2

(2) BREAK THE DEAL made the front from post 10 and was shuffled out as leader after leader took over. When clear in the stretch he split foes with good pace. Let's stick with him and hope for odds in the 5-1 range. (4) GREENHILL HANOVER was parked for a half and still held very well versus this group a week ago and he looms as the one to beat again. (3) WAKEMESHAKEME had a very smooth journey up the cones and couldn't get it done last Friday, but that was his first start in four weeks.

Race 10: Winners over $50,000 life/TM 88 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(3) BETTORS HEART N closed strong with no chance after following in somewhat slow fractions last time. Hopefully new driver Todd McCarthy (Dunn chose #6) can have her closer this week. (7) ANNABELLE HANOVER lost to a good one a week ago while finishing ahead of the top pick. She clearly has a shot here. (5) THE BETHINATOR and (6) MISS YOU N are two horses coming out of a sharp qualifier but both are likely prepping for next Friday’s Matchmaker at Yonkers.

Race 11: TrackMaster 77 (NW L3/5 77.5/78) or less/4YO, NW $1 last 4

(5) TRENTS A LOCK was short late in the mile after displaying early speed in his first start in two months. Four-year-old still performed reasonably well in that first attempt for a new barn and can move forward versus a sketchy group. (3) SKYWAY JAGUAR has the early speed to make the front and enough form to perhaps handle the switch from Freehold to The Meadowlands. (2) FIX-IT-UP arrives to town for a new high-percentage outfit, adds hobbles and will take plenty of action. The price will likely be too low to consider him. (8) CRAZY FOR CJ is worth a look on the "Dunn is driving" angle.

Race 12: Winners 3-5 (NW L3 or non-starters in 2022 6) races life

(1) ALL THE TRUTH returns to this condition after facing much tougher in recent weeks and should bring a top performance. (5) TOCCOA FALLS won at this level last week but loses Gingras to #1. (4) YOU WILL BE QUEEN has been ultra-consistent, only missing the board once in 2022.

Race 13: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 $2,750) in last 5/TM 75 (NW L3/5 75.5/76)/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(1) GREYSTONE NATALIO tried to close from 11th last week and predictably couldn't make it happen. She gets some key class relief this time around and figures to see aggressive handling. (7) PAPPY ROCKS scored in this class last time in her second try for the new barn. She gets a free ride in the class again via the claiming condition and the Driver of the Year. (6) GOTTALOVEMYSHADOW has been stuck with outside posts week after week lately. His form may be better than you think. (9) BACI BACI comes to town from Monticello in fine form. Can he handle this kind?