Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 10/10

MEET STATS: 78-22-12-12 / $180.20 (+$24.20)
BEST BETS: 6-4-1-0 / $11.40 (-$0.60)
BEST BET: CHANGE STRIDE N (4th)
SPOT PLAY: FLYING FINN N (2nd)

Race 1: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5/TM Rating 80.1 or less - Pick 5

(1) BANK SEA has been hampered by outside posts while facing better foes. He drops to the level of his last win tonight and should awaken with a strong showing. (5) MINDTRIP is the best horse in the race when on his game. He also gets class relief and would be no shock here. (2) PAPIAMENTO rolled in this class most recently but got out-finished in his previous try. He can win, but I wouldn’t want under 2-1.

Race 2: Non-winners 2/3 races or $25,000/$30,000 life

(4) FLYING FINN N has been the victim of poor luck since coming over from Down Under. He's been stuck in some fast races during his four starts in these shores. After a freshening, he returns off a strong qualifier and should have the opportunity to shine. (2) CLAYTONS BETTOR N came back to town last week and was a good second in this class. (7) WELL DONE SON is off a pair of breaks but does move into a high percentage barn tonight and might be worth a flyer.

Race 3: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5/TM Rating 76.20 or less - Pick 6

(6) MY BOY CHRISTIAN seems to have legitimate excuses for his recent failures at Philly. Barn tends to do well when they ship in and it is certainly a good sign that they are reaching out to a catch-driver. (7) TAKE A WISH hasn't had much success from off the pace at Plainridge. She returns to The Big M at the bottom level and wouldn't be a shock. (8) CELEBRITY LOVER closed well in this class last time; trip threat.

Race 4: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5

(3) CHANGE STRIDE N dropped to this level last time and rallied well from an impossible spot. Veteran moves to the inside of the gate this week, picks up George Napolitano and should prove very tough to beat unless (9) WORLD ON EDGE taps into his 'A' game. The latter didn’t fire on the class drop last time but you know he can pop a big mile when feeling good. (5) ROCK N ZEUS is hard to back with confidence but could be a closing threat given the right setup.

Race 5: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5 or $12,500 in 2020

Trainer Jeff Cullipher sends out an uncoupled pair in here that both have good credentials. I'll go against the grain and take the horse that Mitchell Cushing chose off in (8) DEALER’S TABLE. This guy seemed to come up a bit flat in his first start since July while starting from post 10 last Saturday. He's plenty fast and the 'Blueberry Bomber' seems likely to put him in play. (1) SAYING GRACE N gets a favorable post shift, though post 1 isn't that much better than post 9 statistically. That said, he'll be able to stick closer to the action, which makes him dangerous. (2) PALOMAR also moves inside. The last time he raced at this level, the result was a win. (7) OLLIE’S ZTAM is certainly capable of playing with the top ones in here on his best day and his recent form is good enough for him to trip-out.

Race 6: Fall Harvest Series Final (NW4500) - Pick 4

While this is a very competitive race on paper to start the Pick 4, (3) FRANCO TOTEM N stands out in my book. He barely saw the pylons last time and won by six lengths and has beaten much better here in the past. (7) SOLO STORY also had a difficult trip in the preliminary round and overcame post 10. He's a fit and I wouldn't be shocked if Callahan pressed on the gas early. (5) WHITTAKER N has really responded since falling to this level; obvious threat. (6) ALBERGO HANOVER has picked up three second-place finishes now in that many starts for new trainer Jenn Bongiorno. He had every chance last time, so maybe the underneath spots are his ceiling?

Race 7: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5/TM Rating 80.1 or less

(6) ALWAYS FLASHING A had no shot from post 8 in his first start back south of the border. Those 1:51 and change miles at Mohawk translate well here and despite the fact that this barn is just 1-for-31 at the meet, they are more than capable of having one ready in a soft spot like this one. (2) MORE THE BETTER N raced well in a lower class last time and this field isn't much tougher. (3) HEAVENLY SOUND drops in class but is just 1 for his last 43, so demand some value. (7) SMILEANDSAYCHEESE arrived last week and was uninvolved from post 10. He can do better.

Race 8: Fall Harvest Consolation (NW4500)

(6) YACHT WEEK dealt with some traffic trouble last week and had pace at the end of the mile. In a field that seems to lack early speed, Ron Burke trainee should have a big shot. (4) A MAJOR OMEN has been closing well consistently and only needs to be in striking range to have a shot. (3) SHATTERED GLASS gets some needed post relief and can be a player at big odds. (10) ROUGH ODDS was unlucky last time to draw post 11 and now somehow does worse with post 10. That said, he's capable with the right journey.

Race 9: Non-winners $20,000-$25,000 in last 5 - Pick 5

(5) GEEZ JOE came home in 25 4/5 after with no chance in his first start since August 8. That time off no doubt did him some good and he should be ready to rock with a big effort in his second start back. (8) WESTERN JOE, like the top pick, wasn't put in play and had no chance last Saturday. If we see early speed he'll be tough. (2) WES DELIGHT is rounding into top form and seems like a trip threat.

Race 10: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5 - Pick 4

Something tells me we are going to see big speed off the gate tonight from (9) SHNITZLEDOSOMETHIN. While this is a quality field, there are no standouts, which leaves this guy open for a wire-to-wire try. (4) PASSA-GRILLE BEACH is another with some early zip in his arsenal and he tends to use it when he draws well. (2) DE LOS CIELOS DEO is always dangerous and always unreliable. If he fires his best a win is very much within his grasp.

Race 11: Fall Harvest Series Final (NW7600)

(6) STONEDUST was used hard and hung in nicely last time. That was just his third start back from a break and I'd expect him to be even sharper now. (3) DECISION DAY has been sharp for some time and did win in the preliminary round. (1) WARRAWEE UNIQUE has early speed and form for a top barn; hard to toss. (4) DOCTOR BUTCH isn't what he used to be but he's earned more than the rest of the field combined, so maybe he can tap into that class.

Race 12: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5/TM Rating 78.5 or less/Opt $15K Clm

(4) BROADWAY PROMISE comes off a scary line with plenty of 'Xs' but that race was an anomaly. This guy is very capable of going down the road in a competitive event. (8) CHIPLOSIVE and (2) KATKIN AND COKE are both down in class this week and either could respond. (3) ALL AMERICAN N qualified well once again. Can he mind his manners at night?

Race 13: Trackmaster Rating 73.5 or less

(10) MAKE IT BIG gunned to the front from the outside last time only to break on the final turn. With this field seeming to lack early speed, I'll roll the dice with this guy at big odds. (1) MAY I CRUISE WEST gets a major driver change that ensures he'll be well-backed. Before taking a short price, check out his 0-for-19 record in 2020. (5) MISTER LOVE picks up a more aggressive driver who may take a shot with him early. (2) LUZIANA had no shot in his last two from post 8 at Freehold. Barn is having a good meet here. (3) DRAMATIC POINT adds Napolitano and has a chance.