Meadowlands

Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 5/20

Derick Giwner|May 18, 2022

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 52-16-8-10 / $83.40 (-$20.60)

BEST BETS: 4-3-1-0 / $12.80 (+4.80)

SPOT PLAYS: 3-1-0-0 / $3.60 (-$2.40)

BEST BET: AMBASSADOR HANOVER (9th)

SPOT PLAY: CHULO (12th)

Race 1: GSY 1 Pace - Pick 5

(6) KNOW YOUR ROLL comes off what looks like a bad line but that race went in 1:51 and she was simply not fast enough. Dropping into the amateur ranks tonight should help her cause and I expect Slendorn will hustle her to the front. (4) BILBO HANOVER is the other most likely 'leaver' in the field and I expect he'll be sitting in good position. (7) S MCKEE put in his best race here in some time last out and a win seems possible if they unexpectedly mix it up on the engine.

[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]

Race 2: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5/TM 83 or less

(1) BETTER TAKE IT wound up uncovered last time and held rather well. This field looks a bit softer and I have to think Tetrick will try to brush and crush. (6) SEEUINNASHVILLE A was never put in play last week while coming home in 25 4/5. This guy is clearly sharp and only needs a chance to have a big shot. (7) DECISION DAY just missed a week ago. He's certainly capable of handling the slight class jump.

Race 3: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L3 $3,770) in last 5/TM 76.5 or less - Survivor 7

(3) GOTWUTEVERITTAKES looked much better in his qualifier and the final quarter of 26 3/5 was very encouraging. I'll take a shot here at 7/2 or higher. (9) HAMMER TIME has a start under his belt now and he could certainly be firing hard to the top; dangerous. (4) KEYSTONE BLADE returns to The Big M at a level where he's seen plenty of success, but this field is of better quality than the previous ones.

Race 4: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L3 $5,500) in last 5

(5) STONEDUST, (6) ELVER HANOVER and (1) SWEET TRUTH all finished within a half-length of each other last week. I lean slightly to Stonedust, who is the one horse of the bunch that really didn't have much of a chance to win last week and finished nicely. Elver Hanover would get the second call after he battled bravely uncovered. This field looks to be right up his alley. Sweet Truth couldn't gain off cover into a fast final quarter but could be even sharper in his second start for this barn.

Race 5: Non-winners 2 (NW L3 3) races life/Maidens draw inside

(5) ETERNAL LEE broke in her 2022 debut when an incident right in front of her perhaps spooked the Chris Ryder trainee. She's worth a second look on the big track and just second start for this barn. (8) DISCLOSURE was in tight down at the pylons and trotting home strongly in a fast mile when she rolled off stride just before the wire. Trixton filly has some speed and clearly can beat these if she behaves. (6) MAGNOLIA VOLO raced well last time and may just be the one to beat now.

Race 6: GSY 1 Pace - $50K GTD Pick 4

(2) BYTHEWAY HANOVER swept the field in this class a few starts back and this race sets up nicely for a closer with a bunch of potential early speed players signed on. (6) FERNADO is sharp enough to win but I'm beginning to lose faith that he can seal the deal. (3) BRUCE'S MAGIC has been searching for his best form all year but this veteran is capable given the right trip, especially if they go fast early. (4) KINGOFTHEJUNGLE worked out a nice trip last time so demand value if you like him to repeat.

Race 7: Non-winners 4-6 races (NW L3 7) or $50,000-$75,000 life

(2) RATTLE MY CAGE went a big mile on the rim in his 2022 debut and he should only be tighter now. Facing some less talented foes and a couple of 3-year-olds doesn't hurt tonight. (1) DELAYED HANOVER charged from the clouds in his debut. He completes a very formidable uncoupled Svanstedt entry. (4) BALENCIAGA moves inside a bit and could be firing off the gate here. (9) FAST AS THE WIND, considered one of the top 3-year-old male trotters, finds a brutal spot to make his seasonal debut. He has a bad post and faces older. You have to expect that he'll be raced from behind.

Race 8: GSY 1 Pace - Pick 6

(5) A B COLLINS went a long mile on the rim last time but should find a much easier road to the top in this field. (4) PREPPY ART gets major post relief after a decent effort from off the pace. Veteran gelding knows his way to the winner's circle here. (2) CECIL CASANOVA, like most from this barn in the amateurs, fits nicely and could certainly win.

Race 9: Non-winners $14,000 (NW L3 $15,400) or $20,000 in last 5 or 10 races life/TM 87 or less

(6) AMBASSADOR HANOVER is far and away the best horse in the race and it really only comes down to whether Svanstedt decides he wants to win a race that probably doesn't mean much in the overall scheme of things. With two weeks since his last race and two until his next one, this looks like a good spot to stretch him out. (5) CHIPLOSIVE is up in class but sharp enough right now to make some noise. (9) CELEBRATE WITH ME rebounded with a decent mile in the Miss Versatility. Four-year-old seems likely to leave the gate tonight.

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

(6) WILLIAM MCWHISKERS hasn't raced in six weeks and that should ensure some value. The Kleinhans/McDermott team has done very well in the amateur ranks when they hook up, including a win last weekend. (4) NOME HANOVER has the early speed to make the front and the ability to settle down and pounce late if others fire as well. (1) TAKEITTOTHEFACE has been racing well for some time. This race could certainly fall apart late due to a number of early speed players and right into his hands. (8) ROCKABILLY CHARM is another sharp horse and one who is capable of winning from on or off the pace.

Race 11: Non-winners $3,000 in last 5/TM 77 (NW L3 77.5) or less/Opt. $10,000 Claiming

(3) KATHY'S MOMENT comes off a nice win at Philly and really doesn't face a formful bunch. Tetrick joining the team is also a nice plus. (8) ALTHEA didn't show much in her first start since November but I'm intrigued by the barn change and the general ability she displayed in 2021. Betting Line mare should offer a good price. (2) IDEAL CLASSIC raced well last time in a quick mile.

Race 12: Non-winners 2 (NW L3 3) races life/Maidens draw inside

(7) CHULO was parked every step in his 3-year-old debut at Miami Valley and actually held very well behind a good-looking foe in Caviar Gold. Yannick chose here over a Burke horse and I’m expecting him to take a step forward. (8) KEN’S WALNER was always thought to have big ability yet it never kicked in. His qualifiers were good considering the competition and perhaps we'll see more now. (5) ZAPPA wasn't bad in his first start of the year and only second career effort. Everything from this barn has been on "go".

Race 13: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5 or 4 races life/TM 82 or less

(6) DRESDEN blew away her foes impressively last week and deserves the return call, though this is clearly a more well-rounded field. (4) JUST DIVINE is a talented 3-year-old who is more than capable of winning but seems likely to be handled conservatively. (1) PLZDONTLIETOME N comes over from Yonkers in fine form and now we have to see how she handles the big track. (2) I CHOOSE YOU chased home the top one as a good second last time. (8) UPTOWN LADY N is capable almost regardless of trip if she brings her best game to the track. (7) WICKEDLY INNOCENT owns a perfect record in three starts this year and gets tested here.