Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 11/21

MEET STATS: 169-41-25-22 / $277.80 (-$60.20)
BEST BETS: 12-6-1-2 / $18.40 (-$7.60)
BEST BET: SHARTIN (8th)
SPOT PLAY: CRYSTAL FASHION (2nd)

[DRF BETS: Get a 5% REBATE on exotic wagers Nov. 21 at The Meadowlands]

Race 1: Non-winners 4 races or $55,000 life - $50K GTD Pick 5

(3) BUY IN bested older foes last time at Philly for co-owner Tim Tetrick. He figures to be forwardly placed in this race and should have a big shot. (5) CLAYTONS BETTOR N is involved every week but can't get over the hump. (8) PUT TO RIGHT didn't fire home as strongly as I expected last time but I'm willing to give him another shot. (2) CALIBER hasn’t been seen in seven weeks but did show big speed at times. Let's see what new trainer Williams Hernandez can get out of this recent $60,000 purchase.

Race 2: $320,000 TVG Open Trot Final

(3) CRYSTAL FASHION gave Gimpanzee a scare in the Breeders Crown and just missed behind Atlanta in his previous start. Five-year-old should have every chance to control this race in this short field. (1) ATLANTA is the most dangerous trotter in North America off a helmet and she should be sitting second (at worst third) here with a clear chance in the lane. (4) MANCHEGO seems to have found her form as she tries to go out a winner, but I see her first-over or on the lead in this spot and neither makes me want to bet her.

[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]

Race 3: $451,800 Goldsmith Maid - Survivor 7

(2) FLAWLESS COUNTRY missed the Breeders Crown due to sickness and hasn't raced in six weeks. That said, the Svanstedt stable is great at getting horses ready off the bench and picking up Zeron here is a huge plus. (1) ANOKA HANOVER has turned into an absolute killer and really impressed me in the Kindergarten final; one to beat. (11) MAZZARATI has been looming each week and deserves a big win if Tetrick can find a winning trip from the second tier. (9) LADY CHAOS won the Breeders Crown a few weeks back but seems unlikely to be "hurt" from the outside post with a promising future ahead next year.

Race 4: Governor's Cup Consolation

(2) SIMON SAYS HANOVER loomed in the Kindergarten and lacked any fight. This is a better spot where he can settle in and make one brush. (3) SHAKESPEARE has a tactical edge with early speed and was much better last time after spitting the bit two back. (4) BEACHHEAD took a shot and tired versus a good group last time after many months on the sidelines; could step up.

Race 5: $398,650 Valley Victory

(4) ON A STREAK worked out a perfect trip in the Breeders Crown and now ships down to the States again to perhaps lock up divisional honors. He versatile and clearly the one to beat at what could be a reasonable price. (6) DEE'S RED DELICOUS scored for me at 6-1 in the Kindergarten final and is turning into one of my favorite horses. If you can get 5-1 here, he's worth trying. (5) JACK FIRE is as consistent as they come and with big early speed on the outside of the gate, this race could get crazy and he could be picking up lots of pieces.

Race 6: $140,000 TVG Mare Trot Final - $50K GTD Pick 4

(3) PLUNGE BLUE CHIP took well over a month off and raced big in the Breeders Crown. Rolling back here in just three weeks, she should be sharper and most certainly controlling the action. (1) SORELLA takes a shot versus older foes and may be up to the task. She's certainly fast enough and the inside post likely ensures a close-up trip. (6) WHEN DOVESCRY had no excuse for losing last week. She can win but has delivered me too many disappointments this year to believe.

[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!]

Race 7: $323,600 Three Diamonds

(1) FIRE START HANOVER is another looking to pick up divisional honors with a victory. She's done almost everything right over the last six weeks and lucked-out with this inside draw where she can settle in and brush. (3) NOTORIOUS PINK upset last week after a good trip, and outside of finishing ninth in the Breeders Crown from a bad post, she's been right there every week; dangerous if the top one falters even slightly. (9) OFF THE RECORD has impressed me in her last two starts. Last time she could barely go a straight path while on a line and still finished second. If they figured out the issue, watch out! (11) JK ALWAYSBALADY is clearly a threat but has lacked a killer instinct from my perspective; playing against on top.

Race 8: $150,000 TVG Mare Pace Final - Pick 6

(4) SHARTIN blew out a huge 1:50 1/5 qualifier at Dover last week to prepare for this race. She clearly had some issues in October, but the brief break in action to get herself in top form and a perfect post inside her main rival make the reigning Horse of the Year a key play for me. (9) KISSIN IN THE SAND has been absolutely spectacular since September and I certainly expect another big mile in her final career start, but she's going to have to be a monster to beat Shartin from out there in post 9. (7) WARRAWEE UBEAUT has been better since adding Lasix and should be put in play.

Race 9: $371,900 Governor's Cup

(2) ABUCKABETT HANOVER looked much better to my eye last week in a prep race for this major stake. He was the divisional leader at one point and if the son of Betting Line has his grove back, he can score the upset. (3) SUMMA CUM LAUDE has come on with back-to-back wins in the Breeders Crown and Kindergarten; obvious chalk. (7) CAPTAIN FANCY flashed speed in a big mile to just miss last Saturday. He may just be this good. (4) SOUTHWIND PETYR is a capable horse given the right trip and he certainly has the right driver to trip-out.

Race 10: $340,000 TVG Open Pace Final - $40K GTD Pick 4

(6) SOUTHWIND OZZI hasn't been heard from in some time on the stakes scene, but the 2019 Little Brown Jug winner seems to have found his mojo in recent weeks. As a fresh horse who avoided the week-in week-out battles in sub 1:50 each week, he may have an advantage. (3) CENTURY FARROH probably caught a break getting sick on an off-track where the pace was crazy fast. He should be heading to the front and figures to get a good trip; using. (5) BETTOR'S WISH was in a prime spot and came up short in the Potomac. He’ll be the favorite again and I’m inclined to swing against him.

[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!]

Race 11: Non-winners $14,500/$20,000 in last 5

(1) PALOMAR is an unreliable horse that needs things to go right in order to win at this level. That said, this field is very competitive on paper and I expect a strong pace, which plays to Palomar's off-the-pace style. (4) PADUKA N seems to be in career form right now and proved he could handle this class last week. (7) SEMI TOUGH is also razor sharp for the Burke/Gingras combination; worth consideration. (9) DECISION DAY is back down in class and only needs to be put in play to have a big shot.

Race 12: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5

(9) ROCK THE DEVIL takes a meaningful drop in class tonight and only needs a reasonable trip to get the job done. (4) ODDS ON LAUDERDALE showed some signs of life last Saturday and might be ready to take a step forward. (5) J M MANDAMIN could be headed to the front and if he makes it without pressure, don't be shocked if he goes a long way. (2) HEZA REAL DIAMOND has been fairly consistent and looks like an exotics player.

Race 13: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5

(7) ANOTHER DAILY COPY took dead aim last week and couldn't get by a classy foe. He drops a level here (as do quite a few others) and should be aggressive again. (3) SAYING GRACE N wasn’t bad from post 10 last time and could have a say here at a decent price. (1) ROCKIN THE ACES was just even last time in a very fast mile. This race should go slower. (5) LYONS STEEL will be firing off the gate and should stick around for an exotic slice.

[DRF BETS: Get a 5% REBATE on exotic wagers Nov. 21 at The Meadowlands]