Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 4/29

MEET STATS: 362-87-62-56 / $531.00 (-$193.00)

BEST BETS: 27-15-4-2 / $52.40 (-1.60)

SPOT PLAYS: 27-7-8-2 / $54.20 (+$.20)

BEST BET: B A SUPERHERO (6th)

SPOT PLAY: DOUBLEOFFTHEWALL (3rd)

Race 1: GSY 1 Pace - Pick 5

(7) WATCHMENEIGHNEIGH lands in a great spot tonight where the only early speed is just to his inside and he should be able to slowly make his way to the front and control the race like three starts back. (3) PETER PUMPKINEATER got caught in a race where the pace was too fast for him and thus his late kick wasn't enough. It seems unlikely that the pace will be excessively hot tonight. (5) BIG BAD BILL seems like a lock to head to the front and sit a sweet trip.

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Race 2: Non-winners $3,000 in last 5/TM 76.50 or less

(7) MAGIC MVP changes hands here but moves into a very sharp barn. Seven-year-old lands in a nice spot if #5 doesn't behave. (6) TRENTS A LOCK picked up his game nicely last time and now Dunn is in the bike. (5) GOTWUTEVERITTAKES has made a break in four of his last five starts but basically lays over the field if he trots; tough call.

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Race 3: TrackMaster 74.25 (NW L4 75.80) or less - Survivor 7

(3) DOUBLEOFFTHEWALL moves to the inside of the gate and catches a shorter field. Both changes should help her off-the-pace style. (6) SOCIETY JILL beat these last week and is clearly razor sharp right now; must use. (1) BE BEST has inside speed and decent form but I'll use her underneath only.

Race 4: Non-winners 2/3 races or $20,000/$30,000 life/Maidens draw inside

(6) GRACELYN HANOVER proved she had some serious potential as a 2-year-old and the only question here is whether she's tight enough in her first start since August after just one qualifier. I’m inclined to think yes but I wouldn't accept short odds. (5) FOLLOWING S was a sharp winner in his one qualifier. Nuncio-sired colt may have picked up his game over the winter. (9) CHABLIS and (10) STRIDE THE HILL have some strong competition lines from 2021 and either seems capable despite the bad posts if ready to fire fresh. McCarthy chose #10 perhaps on the long-term angle but I prefer #9 tonight.

Race 5: GSY 1 Pace

(3) TEST RIDE hails from a strong trainer driver combination in these amateur races. While perhaps this horse looks out-classed on paper, don't ignore him as strange things can happen in these events. (7) HAYMITCH looked like a winner every step of the mile when he was sitting the pocket last time. If he has a similar effort on tap he'll be tough. (8) FERDINAND A has a number of solid efforts in the amateur ranks and certainly possesses the early speed to make some noise.

Race 6: Non-winners 3 races or $50,000 life - $50K GTD Pick 4

(3) B A SUPERHERO had the looks of a good horse as a 2-year-old but never quite put it all together. The comeback qualifier was solid and while there is a chance he'll get a conservative steer here, I do think he is best and at least it is a short field. (7) SENNA was an impressive wire to wire winner in this class last week; obvious threat. (4) LAWS OF MOTION is another who showed a bit of promise last year. Let's not read too much into his qualifier as he faced three Open trotters.

Race 7: Non-winners 2 races life

I distinctly remember (3) FASHION SCHOONER's career debut at The Meadowlands and thought to myself that this royally bred daughter of Walner/Broadway Schooner has ability. Unfortunately she was simply immature and made a pair of breaks before getting turned out. While this is clearly not the goal, she should be able to sit close enough and pounce. (2) MRS TAYLOR has a big advantage with a start under her belt against a group mostly coming off qualifiers. (9) COMPLETE LIFE has plenty to prove versus this group but she does have early speed and I wouldn't be shocked if she gunned out and stole the race.

Race 8: GSY 1 Pace - Pick 6

Let's stick with the Spicer/Verruso combination in this amateur race. This field seems to have quite a few potential early speed types and a patient steer from the inside could really pay off for (1) HES GONE BADDER. While I haven’t been overly impressed by this driver in limited opportunities, (4) CAMWOOD got class relief last time and now he gets a post break to go with it. This classy 8-year-old should show more here. (5) ROCKABILLY CHARM has some form and only needs a smooth trip to be a factor. (2) CECIL CASANOVA goes for a barn that seems to be involved in every amateur race.

Race 9: Non-winners $7,500 ($5,000 draw inside) in last 5/TM 82.50 or less

(6) GREAT UNKNOWN picked up his game last week to rally for second and now gets just a bit of class relief. (2) ARABELLA'S CADET also drops a notch and this gal rarely gets bet heavy so there could be value. (4) ZLATAN rallied nicely again last time and this condition is not too high for him to get another good piece with new driver Yannick Gingras at the helm.

Race 10: GSY1/2 Pace - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) SEEUINNASHVILLE A and (7) CHEYENNE RYAN LEE went insane fractions on the engine last time and paid the price. There is no chance they have to go 53 and change to the half this week. The former gets the top call as he'll likely make the lead easily and sit no worse than the pocket. (1) DOC SEMALU is capable of sitting up close and shaking free for a big share late. (4) MV OK PALACIO BR is another good closer who gets a better post to work with this time.

Race 11: TrackMaster 77.5 (NW L3 78) or less/Opt. $12,500 Clm.

(6) WAIMAC ATTACK N has been crushing them at Plainridge and also shows some good efforts here. This is a great spot. (9) CASINO BAGS AGAIN is a sharp horse dealt a tough post. If Callahan can get him in position he has a shot. (2) WAVES OF FIRE A comes off an amateur win and seems to be in form.

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Race 12: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L3 $3,300) in last 5 or $3,580 in last 7/TM 85.25 or less

(9) SOMBODYITREASURE comes off perhaps a disappointing try but this field didn’t come up that tough. He can certainly gun to the front and take this field down the road. (1) THE DRAK SHADOW hails from the same barn as the top pick and they tend to do well with new acquisitions. (2) BAY BRUTE has been steady in two starts since returning from vacation; more now?

Race 13: TrackMaster 74.5 Final

(3) BRONSONS DELIGHT was only second best in his last start but that was only the second try for this barn. With a potential second-over trip in the offing judging by the potential early speed players, I'll take a shot that this guy finds another second. (6) TJ BLAST is certainly gunning to the front here and looms as the one to beat. (4) BUNGALOW BILL N also has early speed and could be sitting pretty in the pocket with a big shot. (2) OUR THIRD ROCK went a huge mile on the trainer change last time but unless Gingras figures something out I fear a first-over trip is coming. (7) SVENGALI switches from the trainer to Sears in the bike.