Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 5/14

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 52-14-11-10 / $56.80 (-$47.20)
BEST BETS: 4-0-3-0 / $0.00 (-8.00)
SPOT PLAYS: 4-1-0-1 / $6.80 (-$1.20)
BEST BET: CUATRO DE JULIO (1st)
SPOT PLAY: WET MY WHISTLE (5th)
Race 1: NJSS 3YOC&G - Pick 5
(4) CUATRO DE JULIO hasn't been seen since a blowout qualifier at Miami Valley 30 days ago and hasn't started in a pari-mutuel race since last October. That being said, at his best he's at least five lengths faster than any of these. (3) JULA MUSCLE PACK cruised in that last qualifier and was never asked. (8) LOCATELLI didn't appear loaded with trot but was trapped in his most recent qualifier. He could be a sneaky exotics player.
[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]
Race 2: Non-winners 2 races life (Maidens draw inside)
(4) PIPER HANOVER was absolutely airborne through the stretch of her last qualifier and this barn was hot-hot-hot last weekend. The only negative from my viewpoint is she is likely going to be raced from off the pace which opens up a wealth of potential trip issues. (7) SWEEPING RAINBOW finished up willing in her qualifier and she has enough early speed to get position off the gate. (6) RITSON showed a bit of early speed last time, which was a nice plus. He has a slightly conditioning edge and does face some fillies. (2) SWAN HILL is worth a look on the driver change to Sears.
[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!]
Race 3: NJSS 3YOC&G - Survivor 7
(1) LINDYSMUSCLEMANIA was a complete monster in his lone qualifier and that was with Svanstedt driving. Now we get Dunn and I'm expecting a low price, though there are others in here that will take money. (4) BEE FOREVER is his own worst enemy. His gait is awkward but he has special high speed when in gear. If overlooked in the wagering, he's worth consideration. (3) REALLY FAST gets his first real test tonight. How good is he? If the price was decent I'd consider him. (6) ZENITH STRIDE hasn’t shown me that winning desire. If the trip works out he can win, but not with my money.
Race 4: $7,500 Claiming
(7) CLOSING BELL gets a barn change to a trainer who wakes new arrivals up in a hurry and it doesn't hurt that Dunn is driving. (2) BETTOR BB is back at the level where he won two of his last three starts. (5) NA NA NA BAATMAN has done good work since moving into the Stallworth stable, but I prefer him on the bottom of the ticket.
Race 5: NJSS 3YO Fillies
(5) WET MY WHISTLE was restrained early and finished up very willingly on a morning when the wind was playing havoc and the times were slow. Svanstedt is a master at having horses ready off the bench. (1) AUNT IRENE raced greenly in her first qualifier but was much better in her second try. Royally-bred filly has ability. (7) EAZY PASS has a conditioning edge on most of these and a three-race winning streak; Dunn's choice over #1. (11) PRESTO left and got parked at Freehold, ultimately making a break approaching the quarter. Not sure we can hold that against her.
Race 6: $10,000 Claiming - $50K GTD Pick 4
(5) GOTTA GO B B went a big mile at Freehold for the class in his first start for this barn and should be in with a big shot despite the higher claiming price. (7) STATESMAN N had aim and was held at bay in this class last week. He certainly deserves another shot. (8) BETTOR NOTBITTER A has won and raced well before in this class and he should be a good price. (1) ROCKIN PANDA blew away cheaper last time and a repeat performance puts him right there.
Race 7: Non-winners $3,500 (NW L3 $3,885) in last 5
(7) A BETTOR BEACH didn't have it in his first start in four months and the horse that won the race came back to win in 1:49 and change on Tuesday. He should be tighter now. (3) ROLLNTHEJOE seems to be slowly rounding into shape. (1) BATTLE STRONG drops off a decent mile for a good barn. (9) ARCHANGEL THREE, (10) MAJOR ASSET and (8) ARI ALLSTAR are all down in class and capable with the right trip.
Race 8: NJSS 3YO Fillies - $14,686 Pick 6 Carryover
(2) LIMOGES came to the rim in her pari-mutuel debut and waited for cover. What she got was backed up into last before she charged home in the stretch. She showed a similar big finish in her second qualifier and seems to have talent we haven't seen yet. (1) BELTASSIMA was driven into traffic and when she got room the result was a powerful late surge. The main knock on her is a likely ultra-conservative steer. (8) IMHATRA AM S has good early speed and an instant tactical edge on some of the others. (3) HOT AS HILL broke making her second move to the front as another foe galloped to her inside. Throw that race out and you have a contender. (11) AWESOME TRIX posted a strong debut mile at Miami Valley but needs to figure out the second tier with some horses that lack early speed in front of her.
Race 9: Non-winners $6,000 (NW L3 $6,600) in last 5/TM 82.17 (NW L3 82.51)
(6) IDEATION HANOVER takes a meaningful drop in class for a barn that excels with that type of move. (3) LOVELY DONNA added Lasix and went a near career-best mile last week. (5) RUBY ON RAILS sat behind a gapper in her qualifier and finished up with pace. She could be a sneaky price play. (7) LARJON LEAH raced very well last weekend considering how much time she missed prior to the start; contender.
Race 10: NJSS 3YOC&G - $50K GTD Pick 4
(3) NARZARIO comes off what looks like just an even mile but he had more left in the stretch. (6) KILDARE KING made a miscue late while he was romping to a huge victory but it looked like his trotting hobbles broke. Keep in mind he still put up a solid mile with the trainer in the bike. (2) SONOFAMISTERY was second behind a monster in his last qualifier. That should have him tight. (1) TAKE THIS SOCIETY was very impressive in his 3-year-old debut.
[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!]
Race 11: TrackMaster Rating 77 (NW L3 78) or less
(4) ALWAYS'SYOURWAY finds a field with a fair amount of early speed and while this guy really hasn't raced as well as anticipated, this could be the perfect spot for him. (8) KINGOFTHEJUNGLE ran into a killer last time and raced well. He could be the last of the early speed types to make the front and if left alone, watch out. (6) JUST WAVE GOODBYE has been raced very aggressively when in this barn as the fear of a claim loomed each time. Now in a TM race he can change tactics if the race calls for it. (3) SONIC FLARE comes off a sharp win from post 10 and seems capable of handling the class rise.
Race 12: TrackMaster Rating 79.8 (NW L5 80.3) or less/Non-winners $5,600 life
(3) ALWAYSABEACHDAY finds the easiest spot she has seen in a long time and actually showed some signs of life with a 26 2/5 final quarter last time. The stars could be aligning for her to get back on track. (2) BREAK THE DEAL comes off a much better performance and really doesn't face any monsters tonight. (1) RAPUNZEL BLUE CHIP gets a similar condition shift to the top pick and merits some consideration.
Race 13: TrackMaster Rating 73.5 (NW L5 75) or less
(2) DEERFIELD BEACH went a long mile from post 10 last week and now gets the double angle of class and post relief. I'm a bit surprised Gingras chose #9, but expecting a very aggressive steer from MacDonald. (9) STIRLING ENSIGN was racing very well in this class before the break last time. (8) MAY I CRUISE WEST improved with Dunn jumping in the bike last time. (7) YS SUNSHINE switched to the Cano barn and added Lasix a week ago. The result was a better mile; more now?
Race 14: Non-winners $3,500 (NW L3 $3,850) in last 5 or 2 races in 2020/21
(1) SKYWAY KON MAN was a horse I loved when I picked him a few days prior to his last race and then an extreme speed bias due to strong winds basically gave him no shot to win at 2-5. He drops to an even lower class now and does great work when in this cheap. (4) INNISFALLEN doesn't have the prettiest lines but is very much in his comfort zone this week. (5) MEMO gets post relief and seems like a clear contender. (6) DOC'S SWAN SONG has been racing in the top class at smaller tracks and might enjoy the lower condition here.

