Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 10/21

MEET STATS: 41-13-6-7 / $52.80 (-$29.20)

BEST BETS: 3-3-0-0 / $10.80 (+$4.80)

SPOT PLAYS: 3-1-1-0 / $4.20 (-$1.80)

BEST BET: THREE GRAND (3^rd)

SPOT PLAY: CHASER HANOVER (9^th)

Race 1: Non-winners $5,000 (NW 2L4 $5,525) in last 4 - Pick 5

(2) BET A BUNDLE was facing better foes when last seen here in early September. Notice the sharp qualifier with Lasix added for a very capable barn. (7) BIZYS BEATLE came back from a scratched-sick line with his best effort in a while. Hopefully we see early speed again. (9) BETTER TAKE IT certainly lacks form but he has some class and has gone some big miles over this track, so maybe it moves him up.

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Race 2: Trackmaster 74 (NW L2/2L4 74.5/75) or less series/NW $1,000 L4/Opt. $10,000 Clm. - Survivor 7

(7) BLOODHOUND went way too fast on the lead last time at Freehold and paid the price. Let's look for new tactics here. (5) BETTOR BE OSCAR A and (2) VANDALISM were both ok in their first tries for new barns and either could awaken in a hurry. (8) CATCHME IF LOU CAN would be no surprise in this spot.

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Race 3: Trackmaster 74 (NW L2/2L4 74.5/75) or less series/NW $1,000 L4/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(4) THREE GRAND comes in from Hawthorne off a sharp score for a trainer that has put up some good stats in his first year as a listed conditioner. This is a great spot. (8) GEMINI EXPRESS seems to be improving with each of his recent starts. (1) FIREBALL FREDDY went one of his best miles of the year two starts back over this surface.

Race 4: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races life - Pick 8

(7) QUEBEC HANOVER lays over this field on paper in terms of raw speed and really should be able to take care of business. (1) WATERFALL adds Lasix and that could be the missing piece the puzzle. (9) COLLECTOR S has been having trouble on the smaller tracks but has behaved here.

Race 5: Trackmaster 74 (NW L2/2L4 74.5/75) or less series/NW $1,000 L4/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(2) DON’T TRIP had no shot from post eight last time and previously was facing somewhat tougher at Philly; driver upgrade a plus! (9) BLUEBERRY SHAKE owns the fastest mile of the group this year and it came over this track. (10) SHELTER IN PACE took care of business in her first start for new connections but made a long break last time. At least we know she likes to win.

Race 6: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 4/TM 80.5 (NW L2/2L4 81/81.65) or less - Pick 4

(6) VICIOUS CIRCLE was sharp going into last week when she caught a tougher field from an outside post. I wouldn't be shocked to see some early speed here and perhaps an upset. (1) GOO GOO WON is clearly sharp but has lacked staying power in the late stages. (8) MISS CHANTILLY N has actually been in against tougher than the top pick so if you like that one like me, you kinda have to use this one too. (4) CAVIART DAVIA raced well here September 1 and qualified very well last Friday.

Race 7: Non-winners $12,500 in last 4/TM 86.5 (NW L2/2L4 87/87.5) or less

(3) FIRSTUP missed a week due to sickness but I'm not too worried. This field is loaded with early speed and should set up beautifully for this closer. Plus the price will be juicy with Foley driving. (9) TONY'S MOM hasn't quite gotten her legs under her after missing a couple of months. Notice that she faced Racine Bell last time at Yonkers. (7) DRESDEN is probably the horse to beat coming off consecutive wins but will certainly be overbet moving into the Burke barn.

Race 8: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,250) in last 4/TM 82.5 or less - Pick 6

(6) BETTERINPINEHURST has been here before in some tougher spots and actually picked up a win. Four-year-old certainly needed his last start after missing a few months and should be ready to rock now. (2) NOMOPHOBIA hasn't been on the big track in a year and a half, but he seems like a much better horse now than at that time. I wouldn't be surprised if he stepped up. (3) DONATO PATRIOT K is racing better than it seems on paper and it seems like he may finally catch a fast track this week.

Race 9: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,350) in last 4

(3) CHASER HANOVER has beaten much better over his career than the field he faces tonight. Hopefully Chiodo will get aggressive and play 'catch me if you can'. (6) CAVEMAN A has been racing very well with no wins to show for it. Perhaps the change in venue will make an impact. (2) RIFLEMAN hasn't benefitted from inside draws as he gets away too slowly. It is much easier to rally from mid-pack on a mile track…assuming he gets some pace to chase.

Race 10: Non-winners $14,000 (NW L2 $15,400) in last 4/TM 89.5 (NW L2/2L4 90/90.5) or less - Pick 4

(6) STONEBRIDGE REEF qualified back sharply and is a horse that will probably benefit from the two month rest. Five-year-old has certainly proven he can handle this class, especially when it comes up light like tonight. (1) P L OZZY looked good in the Cup & Saucer but has gotten sour since. Perhaps the return to The Meadowlands - where he has done very good work - will awaken this speedster. (5) STONE HANOVER comes to town on a roll looking for his third straight win. (2) AMERICAN CLASSIC moves into the Burke barn off a convincing win and will certainly be bet hard.

Race 11: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $6,251) in last 4/TM 80 (NW L2/2L4 80.5/81) or less

(1) DARBYSHIRE is certainly fast enough to beat this field and the trainer change is very interesting. Can they keep this 3-year-old flat? (3) GOTWUTEVERITTAKES is always capable of popping a big mile here and I like that Ginsburg has driven him previously. (10) DRIBBLING BI has the early speed to make the top if Warren wants it and wouldn't be a shock on the win end if the top two explode during the mile.

Race 12: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2/2L4 71.5/72) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm.

(1) PICTORIAN THUNDER has done good work since moving into the Estrada barn but he's one of most in this field with little big-track success. (2) ARCHETTO HANOVER was used up in the hot pace last time at Hawthorne. At least we know he can race well on a mile oval. (7) YAYAS HOT SPOT N actually owns a win at The Meadowlands and has done well in the lower classes here.

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Race 13: Non-winners $2,000 (NW L2 $2,200) in last 4

(7) LOU ED ZEPPELIN returns from Maine vacation where he was only slightly successful and lands back at The Meadowlands at a much reduced level; expecting speed. (3) SUGAR ME N lures Callahan off the top pick for Team Burke but I'm not sure I want to back this guy at short odds and only one win in his last 17 starts over two years. (5) HOPNROLL HEAVEN gets a driver upgrade for a top barn.

Race 14: Trackmaster 74 (NW L2/2L4 74.5/75) or less series/NW $1,000 L4/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(7) P L PORTIA doesn't look quite as sharp as some of the others but she was also facing better and in some bad spots where she was asked to close into slow paces. Four-year-old owns multiple strong efforts over the track and might even have price appeal. (9) SUNSET SOPH qualified well for new connections and certainly has early speed to overcome the outside draw. (3) VIRTUAL KISS also came down from Canada. Her first start was just ok after a layoff; more now? (1) PHELGON hasn't had the best year but is certainly capable in a soft spot like this one.