Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 10/24

MEET STATS: 117-32-16-17 / $224.20 (-$9.80)
BEST BETS: 8-5-1-1 / $16.00 (+$0.00)
BEST BET: J M MANDAMIN (8th)
SPOT PLAY: COLE PORTER N (12th)

Race 1: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5/TM Rating 84 or less - Pick 5

(5) IF NOT WHY NOT drops in class for a good barn and notice he has some good miles on bigger tracks. (1) LASA DIDA LADY was stuck first-up last time and faded some in the lane. Her previous try at this level was an easy win. (4) FOR A DREAMER has been getting minor rewards of late but is certainly capable of stepping up on his better days. (9) EYE OFA TIGER AS is a big threat if he can actually trot the entire mile.

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

(2) MOUNTAIN HIGH made his debut in this barn off an almost four-week break and still came home nicely in 26 4/5. He can be tighter with that start under his halter. (4) WORLD ON EDGE might be worth one final shot in this class before giving up since he does get a nice post-position shift. (9) BANK SEA drops a level despite a couple of good performances; player.

Race 3: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5/Opt. $20,000 Clm. - Pick 6

(3) AMERICAN EXPRESS N was done in by an outside post last week. This is a winnable spot with a reasonable trip. (6) EDGE OF ETERNITY comes off a huge mile at Philly and if she can repeat that, she'll be a factor. (2) KOTARE YARRA N couldn't handle the pace in the slop last time. She deserves another look on a fast track. (1) BE BEST was also used early on the off track last out. I’m not sure she can win but a board spot is within reach.

Race 4: Fall Harvest Series for $10,000 Claimers

(8) ROCKNROLL OLIVER didn't exactly set the world on fire with Lasix added in his first start for this barn. That said, Estrada has been hot during the meet and if anyone can get this horse going, it's him. (2) SHATTERED GLASS raced well from post 10 last time. This is a clearly a better spot. (4) ALWAYS A FORCE exits a 1-for-42 barn and could certainly improve for a new trainer.

Race 5: Trackmaster Rating 77 or less

(5) MRS BROWNS BOY didn't fire a big shot in his first start for this barn but adds a more aggressive driver now and could be firing off the gate. (3) ALBERT A SCOOTIN gets a much better post to work with and a bit of a class adjustment that should help the cause. (7) SWAGASAURUSREX was the best performer of nine starters from this barn last week. Don't be shocked if a few of them wake up. (10) SCIROCCO MISTYSAID has the form and now adds a catch-driver. Can he overcome post 10?

Race 6: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5 or $17,000 in last 6 - Pick 4

(2) ODDS ON LAUDERDALE seems to be back on the right road after missing some time. He plunges in class this week after facing the best on the grounds in his last two; expecting a big mile. (1) LIKE CLOCKWORK usually offers good value and is more than capable of an upset given the right trip. (6) IDEAL FEELING is much better than he showed last time. Don't be shocked if he awakens.

Race 7: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5/TM Rating 82.5 or less

(2) MINDTRIP wasn't bad on the bump up to this level last week. We might actually see him show early speed here. (6) THE WALL hasn't been the same horse for the Andrew Harris barn but certainly figures to be a fit with this group. (8) PASSA-GRILLE BEACH is down in class for a hot barn; hard to toss.

Race 8: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5/TM Rating 85.5 or less

(6) J M MANDAMIN takes a meaningful dip in class and should be hustled away from the gate. (3) GO WEST GO FAST was huge here last week for DiDomenico and a repeat performance would make him tough. (9) GRAND TETON has loads of class, but hasn't been really good in some time and has missed three weeks.

Race 9: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5/TM Rating 86.5 or less - Pick 5

(5) KINGS COUNTY is an all or nothing horse. He'll either break or win by open lengths. (3) HL REVADON comes off a career-best mile and has the early zip to work out another good trip. (2) THUNDER wasn't overly impressive winning last time, but he once had good talent and perhaps that race was a stepping-stone.

Race 10: Non-winners $20,000 in last 5 - Pick 4

(5) U S CAPTAIN gets a better post to start from this time. I'm not President of his fan club, but this race shapes up with plenty of early speed and it could work to his favor. (3) ANA AFREET N is ultra-sharp right now and the clear favorite but far from a lock. (6) DECISION DAY might be the sharpest horse on the grounds right now and you can make the case that he is coming into his own at age 5. (1) MACHNHOPE has been huge at Philly. Will that translate to The Meadowlands? McCarthy stayed here over #5.

Race 11: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5

(8) GLOBALDOMINATION N comes over from Yonkers where he was taking on better foes. He stretches out to the big track here and might show more. (9) WAR DAN A raced well in this class last weekend and this Shane Tritton trainee should provide a serious threat to the top choice trained by his dad. (5) YACHT WEEK has decent form and should get a small share.

Race 12: Fall Harvest Series for $10,000 Claimers

(9) COLE PORTER N raced himself up to a class where he couldn't compete. This spot represents a significant class drop and he should bring a strong effort. (3) RUTHLESS DUDE has posted two solid miles here in the last two weeks. He's a clear contender. (7) ONE MORE MIRACLE has been racing well every other week but at least we know he's in decent form; trip threat.

Race 13: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5/TM Rating 78 or less

(2) GLENFERRIE BRONTE N was a solid second when last here in this class a few starts back and he should provide good value. (6) EXOTIC DANCE has a string of wins against this level of competition and will certainly be the favorite. I'm just not willing to take a short price tonight because there are a bunch of class-droppers in the field, including (4) CLEAR IDEA, who has plenty of back class as well, and (10) MANHATTAN PLAY, who steps down for a hot barn.