Meadowlands

Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 5/27

Derick Giwner|May 25, 2022

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 78-25-14-13 / $130.10 (-$25.90)

BEST BETS: 6-4-1-1 / $14.90 (+2.90)

SPOT PLAYS: 5-1-1-1 / $3.60 (-$6.40)

BEST BET: YANABA (4th)

SPOT PLAY: ALTHEA (11th)

Race 1: GSY 1 Pace - Pick 5

(1) HAYMITCH finds a field without too much early speed and almost has to be firing hard from the pylons. None of these have great form so anything is really possible in this amateur event. (7) BILBO HANOVER raced well from behind last weekend and is another I could see taking a shot for the front. (3) BRUSH N CRUSH is a new arrival to these amateur races and he lures the leading driver in the series.

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Race 2: NJ Sire Stakes 3YO Filly Trot Consolation

This is a difficult race to decipher as most of these have been getting small or no checks versus better foes. (2) CASH MACHINE GIRL finds a low stress situation where she won't have to work hard early to stay close. If she stays flat there could be a pot-of-gold reward at the end of the race. (6) BRICKHOUSE BABE has displayed good late foot against much better. What does that translate into here? (7) MAGNOLIA VOLO actually has form as she has been tackling conditioned foes rather than racing in stakes. She seems like a contender.

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Race 3: TrackMaster 78.6 (NW L2 79.61) or less - Survivor 7

Much of handicapping is about finding angles and (5) FLOSSIE N has three intriguing ones despite lacking form. First he moves into a new barn that has done well with fresh talent. Second, she visits a new track. Third, she adds Lasix. I'll take a shot. (2) SO DELIGHTFUL looks like she should be able to handle this field but she seems to find reasons to lose. (8) KATHY'S MOMENT has won two straight but needs to find a way to get into the race from the outside post.

Race 4: Non-winners 2 (NW L3) races or $22,500 life/Maidens draw inside

Sadly (8) YANABA had to miss the NJSS because of an Equine Herpes outbreak. What we've seen of her so far is that she exudes talent and I'm certain she'll come in tight to try to get back on track. (4) MORE THAN EVER has some ability and the only question is whether she'll be handled aggressively or not. (6) PENELOPE J got a conservative steer in her first try of the year and figure to be put in play this time.

Race 5: GSY 1 Pace

(6) CAUSWAY had no shot last time from the outside post and did really well in the amateurs when he left the gate a few starts back. With very little early zip to his inside, now is the time to step on the gas behind the gate. (4) KNOW YOUR ROLL and (9) FERNADO both figure on paper but haven't been able to find the winner's circle lately. (2) SVENGALI is off a break but don't let that fool you; he can win!

Race 6: NJ Sire Stakes 3YO Colt Trot Consolation - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) STRIDE THE HILL has ability and while we haven't seen him break out yet, perhaps this softer group will inspire him. (3) MAJESTIC J hasn't been bad thus far in NJSS action and he probably rates as the one to beat here. (1) VILLAIN gets a new driver as Svanstedt is in Sweden for the Elitlopp. Maybe the new set of hands will get more out of this guy.

Race 7: $240,000 NJ Sire Stakes 3YO Filly Trot Final

(6) FASHION SCHOONER has been on my radar since her first career starts and while it has taken some time for her to "get there", she has most certainly arrived. Whether she'll be the best of these in two months is an unknown but right now she is perhaps a step faster. (4) JAYA BAE is a filly that will only get better as she races. I'm on the fence as to whether she'll be 100% keyed up for this race. (7) MISSWALNER FASHION could be the value play in the field. Her first start of the year was good and she’s only going to improve. (3) JIGGY JOG S has a big chance to win but will certainly offer a much lower price than warranted because of the driver change to Dunn.

Race 8: GSY 1 Pace - Pick 6

(2) ALLGONOWHOA finally draws well after a string of far outside posts. He'll be on the lead almost immediately after the race starts and sitting a good trip without being used hard. (8) FERDINAND A drops back down on the amateur condition spectrum and there's a pretty good chance Slendorn will be firing hard off the gate. (5) CASINO BAGS ANSO went off favored last time and the price should be much higher after a subpar effort. A new driver joins the team tonight; don't toss. (1) ROCK TO GLORY looks great on paper but is very pace-dependent.

Race 9: $240,000 NJ Sire Stakes 3YO Colt Trot Final

Hoping to get a little value with (5) B A SUPERHERO after he only finished third last time because there was no reason to be aggressive since he had already made the final. Interestingly, he may elect for off-the-pace tactics again here, but that is because this field is loaded with potential early speed. Driver tactics should play a big role in the outcome. Yannick Gingras drove both 1:51 4/5 NJSS leg 2 winners and landed on (2) PRETENDER for the final, which clearly says something. This guy impressed me last time. (7) TEMPORAL HANOVER is perfect in NJSS action and on the year. While he has been coming from behind in those races, it is worth noting that he left in the Breeders Crown last year and certainly has that aspect in his game; using at the right price. (9) TESTING TESTING has ability but is stuck in an outside post. Miller needs to work some magic to get this son of Walner involved, but I wouldn't be shocked if he figured it out.

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

Let's try to read between the lines with (7) TULHURSTSANTANNA A in hopes of getting a price home in this amateur race. His recent races have been from outside posts on smaller tracks, so those can be ignored to some extent. Prior to that he was racing well and the switch to the amateur ranks places him in a good spot. (1) TUXEDO BAY returns to the GSY series where he has performed well week after week. (5) WINDSONG JACK has big early speed and if they leave him alone the race could be over. (10) WILLIAM MCWHISKERS was handicapped with post 10 after winning two straight. You have to respect him but I'll be using underneath only.

Race 11: TrackMaster 78.6 (NW L2 79.61) or less

(3) ALTHEA is a horse I considered last time hoping she would "try" when in reality it was unlikely. Tonight she lands in an absolutely perfect spot where she could win and come back in a similar class next week. This field is soft and I'll be surprised if Smith doesn't put her in play. (6) BETABCOOL N was facing better when last seen here and had bad posts in her two starts before that. (8) ALWAYS A MIRACLE gets a barn change and new driver; worth some consideration.

Race 12: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3 $8,250) in last 5/TM 82 or less

(8) WICKEDLY INNOCENT blew past many of these last week and is still perfect in four starts on the year; hard to ignore. (3) DRESDEN was second best behind the top one a week ago and shot have a shot again. (6) BETTORS HEART N is down in class but lacks great form; chance if on her game.

Race 13: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L3 $3,400) in last 5 or $4,401 in last 8/TM 76.5 (NW L2 77) or less

(9) NEVER MIND N is another fresh arrival to the Harris barn. This guy is clearly fast enough to win and perhaps the change in scenery from Canada to the U.S. will make the difference. (1) MUSCLE MEX makes his debut for Smedshammer, who tends to send them out ready, after a long time on the sidelines. The (6) ZLATAN from a month ago would be favored to win here but his form has gone south recently. Will tonight's class relief make the difference? (10) GOTWUTEVERITTAKES could win by five lengths but seems more likely to break.