Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 9/18

MEET STATS: 39-10-7-8 / $83.60 (+$5.60)
BEST BETS: 3-2-0-0 / $5.40 (-$0.60)
BEST BET: INSTA GLAM (8th)
SPOT PLAY: AUNT IRENE (6th)
Late Pick 5 $21K Carryover: 3,4,5,6 / 9 / 3,6,7,9 / 4,6,7 / 4,6,9 = $28.80
Late Pick 4 $38K Carryover: 2,9 / 3,6,7,9 / 4,6,7 / 4,6,9 = $36

Race 1: GSY Amateur Series - Pick 5

(3) SCIROCCO MISTYSAID has been stuck in some fast miles lately at Pocono. He's back in the amateur races and finally draws well in the series. As long as the 4-year-old behaves, he should prove tough. (6) FOREVER WORTH IT went a long mile and came up second best behind (8) LEAR SEELSTER last time. With a smoother trip, he'll be a factor. The latter swept the field impressively at big odds a week ago and I'm still not sure I believe it.

Race 2: Kindergarten Classic - 2YO Filly Pace

(5) JK ALWAYSBALADY went a monster mile back on July 1 before getting caught on the lead next time out and heading to the sidelines for some rest. She clearly has ability but I'd prefer if she was raced from off the pace, which means I'll have to demand around 9-5 or better to go her way. (3) MARSALA HANOVER has proven to be every bit as fast as the top pick on paper and she has some early speed in her arsenal; must use. (1) DRESDEN has done very well on the second level of NYSS but the competition gets deeper here versus straight PASS foes.

Race 3: Kindergarten Classic - 2YO C&G Trot - Pick 6

(7) DEE'S RED DELICIOUS broke last time in the NYSS final after showing early speed, but this guy simply can't handle the half-mile tracks at this point in his career. On the big track tonight, he should move up. (4) MOONSTONE S was second last time out in the Haughton. Is he ready for a top effort off just one 1:58 2/5 qualifier? (6) CALLE PALEMA is clearly fast enough to compete if on his game. (5) DELAYED HANOVER went a solid debut mile but will need to be faster this week.

Race 4: Kindergarten Classic - 2YO Filly Trot

(6) INEFFABLE closed from the back to get third in the Doherty when last seen on August 8. The return qualifier was good enough to get her down to the 155/56 speed she'll need to win here. (9) MAZZARATI was used in the Doherty and tired. She then came up a bit flat. The talent is there if she is forwardly placed from the outside post. (5) AVENIR has plenty of trouble staying on stride. If by some miracle she behaves, she can certainly win.

Race 5: Kindergarten Classic - 2YO C&G Trot

(2) LINDYSMUSCLEMANIA was able to roll down the road from post 8 at Pocono, which is impressive in itself. He should be on the lead or at least close here, especially with Andy Miller driving tonight. (5) NARZARIO qualified back well and has gone some miles that make him a contender. There should be value here with Smedshammer driving. (8) ZENITH STRIDE returns to the scene of his Haughton win more than a month ago. Is he ready? Is there any chance he'll be handled aggressively? Don’t take a short price. (1) TYPE A could be a player but I'm starting to doubt if he is fast enough.

Race 6: Kindergarten Classic - 2YO Filly Trot - Pick 4

(1) AUNT IRENE was a filly I thought was loaded with talent when first qualifying but she couldn't get her act together when the money was on the line. She took five weeks off and qualified back nicely. I’m still a believer. (2) CHABLIS and (4) HELLO I LOVE YOU have displayed some ability in past starts. I wouldn't discount either of their chances.

Race 7: Kindergarten Classic - 2YO C&G Trot

(2) HEARTBREAK HILL came through with a big mile once before and if we can get close to a double-digit price here, I'd roll the dice off the freshening. (3) SONOFAMISTERY looked very good winning with the trainer in the bike last time. (8) BEE FOREVER is the first foal from the great Bee A Magician and he won his debut. Let's see how good he is tonight. David Miller's choice over #2.

Race 8: Kindergarten Classic - 2YO Filly Trot

(4) INSTA GLAM was in an impossible spot trying to close from seventh at Pocono in the PASS final. Anything other than a win would be a big surprise versus this field. (9) ANOKA HANOVER took a shot in the PASS final and couldn't last after the tough trip. She's clearly a player on her best but won't be helped by the outside post. (3) PRESTO hasn't done much wrong in three starts.

Race 9: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5/TM Rating 81.5 or less - $21,811 Pick 5 Carryover

(3) PIERCEWAVE HANOVER exits some salty $25K claimers at Pocono and has proven himself here in this class before. He was my second choice until I saw Derue reached out to Zeron to drive. (4) CARRICK was stuck in post 8 last time and lined up against the classy Dayson two starts back. This is probably the best spot he has seen in the last six weeks; expecting early speed. (5) LASA DIDA LADY couldn't have looked much better beating up on softer foes last time. If she can repeat that effort, she'll be a player. (6) SOUTHWIND FROST seems to race decently every time. Can he seal the deal one of these weeks?

Race 10: Kindergarten Classic - 2YO Colt Pace - $38,390 Pick 4 Carryover

(9) ALWAYS A MIKI was used hard in the PASS Championship and succumbed under pressure. Colt faces much softer competition this week and despite post 9 looks like a standout. (2) FOREFATHER is a colt with high speed but still clearly green. If he behaves, I wouldn’t be shocked if he made the top one work. He's worth throwing on at least one Pick 4 or Pick 5 ticket because if he wins, you'll get PAID! (8) SUMMA CUM LAUDE switches back to the track where he marched down the road to victory at the end of the July.

Race 11: Winners 4-7 races or $50,000-$60,000 life

There aren't many horses in this race that would shock me on the win end. (7) THUNDER raced very well in the morning with hobbles added and only lost to the Hambo champ by a neck. He displayed some talent when younger and perhaps the equipment addition will make the difference. (6) KINGS COUNTY comes off a consecutive breaks but does return to the big track where he had previous success. If he behaves, he’ll prove tough. (3) FIFTY CENT PIECE is talented enough to win but remains a 3-year-old filly facing older boys. (9) HL REVADON has some early speed and is certainly fast enough on his best game.

Race 12: Kindergarten Classic - 2YO Filly Pace

Short field here but certainly a tricky race. (6) FIRE START HANOVER has found her best game in the last three starts and only needs to be put in play early to have a big shot. (4) THINK OF GALAXIES went her best mile when on the bigger track at Tioga and perhaps she'll stretch out nicely here. (7) OFF THE RECORD has displayed a decent closing kick of late and might enjoy the mile oval.

Race 13: Kindergarten Classic - 2YO Colt Pace

(4) CRUNCH HANOVER couldn't handle a tougher group last week. He should be handled aggressively here and have every chance. (9) SHAKESPEARE didn't seem to have his 'A' game after nearly four weeks off. If McCarthy puts him in play, he could pull off an upset. (6) ONE EIGHT HUNDRED has looked best when put closer to the action. Will we get those tactics this week? (5) COMMANDING OFFICER should be plenty tight after chasing in fast miles each week in Lexington.