Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 9/2
FALL MEET STATS: 0-0-0-0 / $0.00 ($0.00)
BEST BETS: 0-0-0-0 / $0.00 ($0.00)
SPOT PLAYS: 0-0-0-0 / $0.00 ($0.00)
BEST BET: DOUBLE ACCOUNT (2nd)
SPOT PLAY: UPTOWN LADY N (11th)
Race 1: GSY Pace - Pick 5
(8) FERDINAND A is very fast off the gate and should have no problem getting the top despite finding some other speed players to his inside. Nine-year-old has done well here before and should be in prime position to win at fair odds. (4) SHECOULDBEGOOD N has done good work at Tioga but the lack of a mark on the mile track is concerning for a horse that will take plenty of tote action. (5) CHIEF OF STAFF needs a speed duel to develop in order to win but that certainly is in play in these amateur races.
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Race 2: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5 or 8 races life/TM 87 (NW L3 87.56) or less
(7) DOUBLE ACCOUNT comes with risk since he's made breaks in two of his last three starts, but tonight he gets a nice class drop and lands in the perfect post to gun to the front and not look back, his preferred style. (4) BALENCIAGA is very comfortable at this level and comes off a nice confidence building win. (1) KING OF THE NORTH was used hard and paid the price in the Beal consolation. I really don't know what to expect here but I absolutely wouldn't take a short price.
Race 3: Non-winners $3,000 in last 5/TM 76.5 (NW L3/5 77/77.5) or less - Survivor 7
(7) PREACHER MAN lands Dunn while down in class this week. Notice he fired off the gate in an August 4 starts in this class. (3) FLANAGAN DESTINY picks up a new set of hands at the controls. He's another that could show early speed and be sitting in contention. (6) WARRIOR WAY has a second and a third in this class recently.
Race 4: Non-winners 2 (NW L3) or $22,500 life
(9) NINETEEN CRIMES was a decent 2-year-old with a couple of wins and a 1:56 3/5 mark. She returned from nearly two years off to be third and then was stuck in the eight-hole at Yonkers. I wouldn't be shocked if they aired her out tonight versus a very soft group. (3) FRIENDS AFTER SIX kept her act together in consecutive qualifiers. She faces older foes but has a serious chance if her head is finally screwed on straight. (7) PRIMO VOMO looks good on paper if you toss the start where he broke last time.
Race 5: GSY Pace
I could stare at this field for hours and fail to come away with a horse I felt strongly about. Ultimately I'll try (3) SUNSHINE’S FINEST since he'll be fair odds and has proven that his best is good enough to win here. (7) CAUSWAY raced well when last here and also at Monticello. (5) SVENGALI is always inconsistent but certainly capable on his best.
Race 6: NJ Classic 3YO Filly B Elimination - Pick 6
(1) PEYTON HANOVER gets a ton of class relief and has no excuses in this spot. (3) BRICKHOUSE BABE is clearly the main contender. She had no shot last time from post 12 but raced very well in the Geers. (7) MEDLEY raced reasonably well last time against a decent field and she has the early speed to be in play.
Race 7: GSY Pace
(4) CLIFFHANGER gets a barn change here and also picks up one of the best amateur drivers. (2) CECIL CASANOVA figures to be handled aggressively by Silva in this spot. (7) RIVER DALI came up with a big mile on the barn change last time.
Race 8: Non-winners $20,000 in last 5 or 10 races (NW L3 3 11) life/TM 89 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4
(2) RATTLE MY CAGE was burnt to a crisp in the Hambletonian Maturity and overmatched in the Cashman. This crew seems up his alley. (1) SONOFAMISTERY is the most talented horse in the field when he is on his game. Will he show up tonight? Who knows? (7) STORM IS RAGING hasn't thrown in many bad races this year and he is one of a few in the field with a start in the last couple of weeks.
Race 9: NJ Classic 3YO C&G B Elimination
(7) TESTING TESTING switches barns to Wallin here after a disappointing season. At first I was leery because Wallin listed himself to drive, which to me didn't show confidence in the horse being ready, but he ended up removing Tetrick from his other horses to drive this son of Walner. Let's look for equipment changes and check him out in the warm-up before completely jumping on board. (1) ROBERTSIN blew up at a bad time at Pocono most recently but he clearly finds a good spot here. Maybe the big track will straighten him back out. (5) TACHYON is capable on his best as when he behaves he is certainly fast enough.
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Race 10: 3YO Filly Trot
(4) PRIMADONNA DEO may be a reach in this spot but she projects to get a similar trip to her 7/29 win as she should fire to the front and at worst sit the pocket to Lilbitalexis. Callahan has stolen many races in situations like this one and at least we know the price will be huge since (7) FASHION SCHOONER will be the odds on favorite. While on paper #7 can't lose, Tetrick will almost certainly be racing her from behind having missed four weeks. If she leaves hard the race is over. (3) YANABA is a nice little horse that can finish strong when she gets to bide her time in the early part of the race.
Race 11: Non-winners $5,100 in last 5/TM 79.5 (NW L3/5/2L9 80/80.5/81.71) or less
(5) UPTOWN LADY N gets written into the race under the AE condition and she is getting money off her card even if she wins. It is always difficult trying to guess right on the Steve Smith horses but this does look like a decent spot. (9) LA ALWAYS AMARTINI has the early speed to gun to the top and a driver that isn't afraid to fire. (2) SUNDAY AFTERNOON comes off a good mile and raced well against tougher when last here. (1) ONECROOKEDLEG drops out of stakes company.