Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 4/9

MEET STATS: 211-46-28-31 / $237.40 (-$184.60)

BEST BETS: 16-8-1-1 / $27.80 (-4.20)

BEST BET: SHINKANSEN (2nd)

SPOT PLAY: ROCKIN RAMBARAN (1st)

Race 1: $7,500 Claiming - Pick 5

(4) ROCKIN RAMBARAN was absolutely loaded in the pocket behind a wall of three horses and was under such restraint that he simply rolled off stride while angled sharply to the right looking for clearance. If his new connections have him anywhere near as good, he should handle this crew. (1) BEBOP ON THE BLOCK drops back down to the level of the claim two starts back and should give the top choice a tussle. (2) MASTER CONRAD is capable of bringing a good effort at this level, but I'm using him underneath in this spot.

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Race 2: Winners 1-2 races or $20,000 (NW L3 $22,500) life

(2) SHINKANSEN blew out a sharp qualifying mile to prepare for this race and even if he is a bit short, this 4-year-old son of Sebastian K seems too fast for these. (4) COCKTAILS N DREAMS draws better this week and should get into the number. (5) BELIEVER wasn't bad in his first start of the year. More can certainly be expected now, especially with Dunn driving.

Race 3: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 $3,100) in last 4 or 2 races in 2020-21/TM Rating 75 or less - Survivor 7

(3) SORTIE rallied nicely in his first start for the Bongiorno barn and faces a softer overall group. (2) ALEXANDER HANOVER has been stuck in outside posts at Pocono, which isn’t a recipe for success. (4) MARVELOUSTRIX has been at this level and succeeded in the past. (8) MIAMI is another who has won here before and I wouldn’t be shocked if he came firing off the gate.

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

Race 4: $7,500 Claiming

(2) MOON DOGGIE went a big mile in his first start for this barn and seems worth following in a field that lacks form. (6) OUR ART IN HEAVEN took plenty of air and stopped badly in his first try off the claim. He was rightfully given a couple of weeks off to recover and should be ready to fire off the gate now. (3) GOTTA GO B B and (4) NA NA NA BAATMAN are both dropping in claiming price and eligible to awaken.

Race 5: TrackMaster Rating 75.90 or less

(6) S MCKEE finally seems to be moving in the right direction and he catches the weakest group he has seen, perhaps in his career. It's a now or never spot. (3) STAR OF TERROR moves into the TrackMaster condition, which typically plays easier than the bottom-level claimers; driver change, too. (2) ROYAL COURTIER also drops back into the TrackMaster class and has done well there in the past. He's another horse getting a positive driver change.

Race 6: Winners 1-3 races/Maidens draw inside - $50K GTD Pick 4

(4) STEPAHNIE DEO took some final turn air and just couldn't go with the horse she provided cover to late in the mile. She clearly needed that mile and should be tighter now. (3) OURLITTLEMIRACLE flashed early speed and had a hint of traffic trouble in the lane last week while finishing just behind the top pick. (8) RUBY ON RAILS returns to Blackler, who did good work with her here back in February.

Race 7: GSY Amateur Series

(2) PREPPY ART has already kept his form for multiple barns over the last couple of months, so despite the winless streak from this stable, there is no reason to think he can't break through. Veteran is feeling great and has plenty of guts. (9) STATESMAN N has found his class since moving into the Sheridan barn and gets to stay put there by exiting claimers; looking for fifth straight win. (6) CASHNCAM was used hard early and paid the price last time; don't discount his chances. (10) ROCKINWITHTHEBEST has the early speed to overcome the outside post, but it won’t be easy to get that perfect trip.

Race 8: Non-winners $4,500 (NW L/S $5,100) in last 5/TM Rating 78.5 or less/Opt. $15,000 Clm. - Pick 6

(5) DELISHKA N faced a killer two back at Pocono and simply tired on the lead last time in the slop. Both losses are understandable and this is a great spot for her. Callahan chose hometown connections with #7, but David Miller is a nice sub. (4) GOTTALOVEMYSHADOW made something out of nothing by finishing fourth from a very tough spot last time. She's clearly a major player in here if the top one doesn’t bring her A game. (1) TALL POPPY N is another getting a better post to work with this week. He won in this class four starts back from post 3.

Race 9: $12,500/$15,500 Clm. Hcp.

(6) PANTHEON HANOVER gets an interesting barn change here and could offer some value with Tyler Miller driving. The youngster has done well in limited assignments this year and is capable on a live horse. (5) DULL ROAR pulled off the upset last time and is too sharp to ignore right now. (9) DAVIDS COMING HOME looks awful on form but sees his claiming price drop 25%. Don’t be surprised if he wakes up. (7) MY ALPHA ROCK N saw a three-race winning streak end last week. He's clearly still a player but loses Gingras to #9.

Race 10: $12,500/$15,500 Clm. Hcp. - $50K GTD Pick 4

This is a tough race to kick off the late Pick 4. (2) INDEPENDENT ONE lands in a good spot where he can sit close to the action and pounce in the second half of the mile. (7) BATTLE STRONG seems to prefer the bigger track as he has now posted two solid efforts here in his last three tries. We won't get 42-1 again, but the price should be fair. (5) NORTHERN ROCK continues to climb the ladder and keep his form.

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Race 11: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 $3,100) in last 4 or 2 races in 2020-21/TM Rating 75 or less

(4) BIG NUDGE removed the hobbles last week and went a flat mile in his first start for new trainer Symon Spicer. I saw enough in that race to think he can take another step forward. (2) GOLD MEDAL SWAN showed some signs of life in his third start back from a year on the sidelines. Eight-year-old was once a decent horse. (7) POSSESS THE STONE comes east off a decent mile but still has to prove himself here.

Race 12: $10,000 Claiming

(2) IDEAL SON was done in by fast early fractions last week and never could stay close enough for his late kick to succeed. This race should go much slower early. (6) AMRCANBOOTSCOOTA A switches to Dunn and drops in for a claiming tag; both winning angles. (3) WESTERN REDHOT bested the top pick last week after a good trip just behind the hot pace.

Race 13: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5/TM Rating 75.5 or less

(1) RAPUNZEL BLUE CHIP raced very well two starts back and certainly should be tight after a rough journey last time. I'll lean his way in a field without much to love. (2) AFFLUENT SEELSTER hasn’t been racing very well but does get a fair amount of class relief here. (3) CHUPPAH ON gets a switch to an aggressive pilot who may fire this gal to the front. (10) WESTERN STEPP also has some early speed. She's been keeping good company down south.