Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 4/16

MEET STATS: 237-52-36-33 / $271.80 (-$202.20)

BEST BETS: 18-9-1-1 / $32.00 (-4.00)

BEST BET: KENZIESKY HANOVER (4TH)

SPOT PLAY: REGGIANO (12TH)

Race 1: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5 or 2 races in 2020/21 - Pick 5

(6) BLAZING TRAIL got in on the last night of racing in Canada and didn't make the most of it with a break. He resurfaces in the basement condition for a new barn that has pulled off some surprises over the last year here. (3) MARVELOUSTRIX comes out of the faster NW2500 from last week. She never looks like a horse you are longing to bet but she knows how to win in this class. (7) ALEXANDER HANOVER was second ahead of #3 a week ago. Can Callahan work out a decent trip? (1) GOLD MEDAL SWAN burned plenty of money after chasing slow fractions and failing to gain late. He's better than that.

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Race 2: Non-winners 1 (not 3rd L3 2) races life

(5) IMHATRA AM S doesn't look like much with a quick glance, but she did come home strong in her lone qualifier with a 27 2/5 final quarter in a fast race. Brian Sears returns from his usual four-plus month break and seems to have caught a good one in the right spot. (7) ONE TRIX PONY and (3) PERFECT RECORD are two Trixton-sired 3-year-olds shipping down from Canada perhaps a bit early due to the lockdown. Either could step up and are worth a look on the track.

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

Race 3: $7,500 Claiming - Survivor 7

(2) MAYFIELD DUKE was used and held very well last week in a quick mile for the class. With the aggressive Allard in the bike here, he should go a long way and prove tough to beat. (3) PIRATES ALLEY was impeded early and still rallied nicely after a break. Maybe his new trainer has figured him out. (7) CLOSING BELL picks up Dunn and perhaps he can get more out of this guy.

Race 4: Non-winners $4,500 (NW L3 $5,100) in last 5/TM Rating 75 or less/Opt. $15,000 Clm.

(4) KENZIESKY HANOVER drops three classes for a barn that tends to have them ready in these class-dropping situations. My only reservation is this gal hates to win and tends to pull herself up, but I'm not sure anyone in this field is fast enough to catch her if set loose on the engine. (2) SORTIE was overbet and didn't deliver last week. Don't give up on him too early. (5) ICINGON DE CUPCAKE hasn't been bad at Pocono and does pick up Dunn tonight.

Race 5: GSY Amateur Drivers

(7) NORTHERN ROCK was super in this barn a few starts back and they saw fit to claim him back for $4,000 more than he got claimed. Capable driver figures to put him in play early. (2) ROCKIN PANDA moves into a new barn and gets a driver that has been pretty hot in this series; price play. (6) LET'S FOAL AROUND is another changing barns. Will be interesting to see if Harmon can improve him. (10) PREPPY ART is the sharpest horse in the race by miles but I don't want any part of him from post 10 as the favorite.

Race 6: Winners 1-4 (NW L3 5) races life - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) TOCCOA FALLS was racing very well at Mohawk and lands in a great spot here. A lack of early speed is the only concern, though the short field should negate that issue. (2) BEAUTIFUL GAME is a talented 3-year-old filly taking on older and boys. If she is ready, she has a shot. (1) SHINKANSEN was super in his qualifier and very disappointing for the money last time. I suppose he deserves another shot.

Race 7: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 $3,501) in last 5/TM Rating 78.35 or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(7) ARNIE'S ANGEL drops to the basement condition but should still offer good value since Beyer is in the bike. (3) VH PRINCESS BREA steps back down to the NW2500 level where he has a win and a second in his last two tries. (6) MANHATTAN PLAY is another moving down the condition ladder. At 2 for his last 36 for the leading barn at the track, I'm inclined to play against.

Race 8: $12,500 Claiming - Pick 6

(1) T J BLAST did all the work two starts back and just lost. Last week he was more patient and steady late. There isn't too much speed signed on here and he can sit behind (6) BETTOR NOTBITTER A, who stole a soft half and cruised last week. (4) IDEAL SON works from off the pace and that could be a problem here with seemingly just the top two having early speed.

Race 9: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,500) in last 5/TM Rating 83.9 or less/Opt. $15,000 Clm.

In a race with more questions than answers, I'll roll the dice with (7) ANNE BONNEY N. The 6-year-old was short after missing more than two months of action, but that was to be expected considering the pari-mutuel race went 10 seconds faster than her qualifier. She's as fast as any of these on her best. (10) SHE'S NUN BETTOR N moves into the Burke barn by way of a private purchase. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if she picked up her game. (3) PAPPY ROCKS gave a good account of herself when moved up to this class last week. She can leave for position and get a board spot.

Race 10: Winners 1-3 races or $20,000 (NW L3 $22,500) life - $50K GTD Pick 4

(4) RUBY ON RAILS had no shot last time after the leaders put up a 57 1/5 half and she was sitting seventh. She seems fast enough to play with these right now and only needs to be kept in striking position for the upset chance. (3) STAYCATION HANOVER worked out a nice trip and scored in her 2021 debut; big threat. (5) STEPHANIE DEO continues to race well but the narrow defeats are concerning. I'll give her one more shot on some multi-race tickets. (1) SWEET BRITCHES comes off a nice score to start her year but seemed a bit green in victory. She was on the bit early, gapped out some in the second half of the race and wore down her foes late, as she should as the 1-5 chalk.

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

Race 11: TrackMaster 73.5 (NW L5 75) or less

(2) TIME FOR GEORGE has been racing in a pretty tough class at Freehold and now tries the big track with a new and aggressive driver. This looks like a "catch me if you can" type spot against a weak field. (8) TRACK MASTER D gets a barn change and like the top pick switches to the big track. He has some class and has had success on larger ovals. (7) GRANDPA DON never got into the race in his first start since the claim. If Beyer can keep him closer, this 10-year-old has a shot.

Race 12: $7,500 Claiming

(2) REGGIANO comes out of a very fast race and now sees a drop in claiming price. This is a spot where he should wake up. (5) GOTTA GO B B pulled off a nice upset a week ago in this class for a barn that was very hot. (3) SOSSY’S KING KONG finds a great spot to gun to the front and has the right driver for those tactics; playable.

Race 13: $10,000 Claiming

(7) ROCKIN RAMBARAN should've won last week but was done in by a tough trip and a fresh foe who ran him down late. Classy 11-year-old was claimed from that mile and bumped up in class, but he has the chops to beat these. (2) S MCKEE didn’t beat much last time but gained some much-needed confidence and is clearly feeling good now. (6) JUST WAVE GOODBYE was claimed back by these connections and raced well for them while showing early speed last time. (3) WHATSTROUBLNUROCKY hasn't done much lately but is dropping in claiming price for a high percentage barn.