Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 11/25

MEET STATS: 153-41-20-25 / $186.30 (-$119.70)

BEST BETS: 11-9-1-0 / $32.10 (+$10.10)

SPOT PLAYS: 9-1-1-1 / $4.20 (-$13.80)

BEST BET: STONEBRIDGE REEF (12^th)

SPOT PLAY: CAPTAIN LUKE (9^th)

Race 1: Non-winners $10,000 (NW L2 $11,251) in last 4/TM 86.5 or less - Pick 5

(3) ROCKIN ON VENUS is perhaps not super-sharp right now but does get some class relief and should be sitting close to the action in a field that seems to lack early speed. (4) SOARING NOW is following a similar condition pattern to the top pick and also has some early zip in his arsenal; using. (6) COLOSSAL STRIDE A was never involved last time but just missed in a good effort in this class two starts back.

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Race 2: Non-winners $10,000 (NW L2 $11,161) in last 4 - Survivor 7

(1) INAMINUTE HANOVER probably could've won last week after setting reasonable fractions but perhaps he simply needed the mile after three months on the sidelines. Let's stick with him and hope for a bit of improvement. (3) DEWEY ARNOLD is back on a big track where he was excelling two and three starts back, plus Tetrick drives now. (8) SONOFAMISTERY has been staying flat of late and that means he's a player.

Race 3: Winners 2-4 races or $50,000 life/TM 81.25 or less

(4) SHELTER IN PACE rolled up on the rim and was a very sharp winner last time. This is a better group overall but she should be able to handle it with a similar performance. (7) SPLASH OF PINK comes in from The Meadows on a nice roll and seems like a good fit. (6) GET ANSWERS got her lone recent win on the lead and could be headed in that direction picking up Gingras, who also co-owns.

Race 4: $175K FanDuel Open Mare Pace - Pick 8

It is difficult to go against (3) MAX CONTRACT here in this abbreviated field. She’s quick enough to outsprint these and will certainly be in striking range. (4) MIKALA has gone some of her best races on this track. (2) TWIN B JOE FRESH is fast enough to take on her elders but may need the perfect steer to get the job done.

Race 5: $423K Valley Victory Final

(6) KARL is simply too fast for this group and he figures to win quite easily. (4) DAIQUIRI HANOVER was on the rim both turns in his elimination last week and trotted willingly through the wire. If he gets even slightly better coming back in seven days instead of 32, he should get a big piece. (1) SECURITY PROTECTED chased home the top pick and the richest 2-year-old colt trotter in history in the Breeders Crown to be third. He’s 9-for-10 in the top three this year. (2) WINTER SOLDIER can finish with any of these other than Karl and with the right trip he'll get a nice chunk.

Race 6: $175K FanDuel Open Mare Trot - $75K GTD Pick 4

I was impressed with the late fight shown by (1) M-M’S DREAM in the Breeders Crown and now she's in an ideal spot where controlling the action seems very realistic in this short field. The price should be right to take a shot with her upsetting Crown winner (4) JIGGY JOG S. Three-year-old (2) BOND takes her shot at these 4-year-olds and her chances of winning will likely come down to trip. If she can sit the pocket and shake free her sprinting speed is good enough to get the job done.

Race 7: $376K Three Diamonds Final

(6) MY GIRL EJ has been super in all recent races and figures to be firing out tonight to look for position. Can she lose? Yes. Do I expect it? No. (1) BLUE PACIFIC looked very interesting a month or so back but has been a bit flat lately. Will Lasix perk her up? (8) SARASOTA HANOVER was trapped with pace in the elimination leg. For her it will come down to trip and she’s very dangerous when she can settle in behind horses and pounce late. (3) CAVIART BELLE came to life in the Kindergarten and a similar performance would make her a serious player.

Race 8: $428K Goldsmith Maid Final - Pick 6

(7) PIZZELLE came home nicely into a fast final quarter in last week’s elimination. While that was a slow mile, past efforts indicate she can go fast enough and only needs a reasonable trip to be a price factor. (5) R MELINA probably went the best race of her career last weekend and despite Tetrick opting to (2) SOIREE HANOVER, maybe this gal is just getting better with each start. The latter is clearly the one to beat but wasn’t great on the engine last time. Her best comes from off the pace and that can always lead to trouble. (1) HONEY SWEET has a shot but hasn’t proven she’s fast enough yet and will likely be overbet after getting locked in the pocket last time.

Race 9: $454K Governor’s Cup Final

(2) CAPTAIN LUKE worked a perfect trip into a going away victory last week. While some may see that as everything working out, you can also interpret it as a horse that seriously improved with Lasix added to finally get over the hump. There could be value in this guy. (5) NEWSROOM took some air and raced well in defeat; adds Lasix tonight. (1) MAXIM HANOVER was super last week as he took tons of air uncovered and still sealed the deal. He’s hard to toss. (6) LOU VUITTON is another horse that has turned the corner with Lasix added and another serious contender.

Race 10: $350K FanDuel Open Trot - $75K GTD Pick 4

(3) ALRAJAH ONE IT tucked, came uncovered and came up flat in the Breeders Crown. His best race of the year was his first so I’m expecting the four week break to work in his favor at much better odds. (1) TACTICAL APPROACH has been spectacular over the last few months and has a serious shot to go out a winner versus his elders. (4) IT’S ACADEMIC hasn’t thrown in many bad races this year.

Race 11: $350K FanDuel Open Pace

(5) ABUCKABETT HANOVER was kept closer to the action versus cheaper foes and turned in his best mile in some time. If Dunn puts him in play again he can upset here at double-digit odds. (3) BYTHEMISSAL is clearly the horse to beat in here and whether he is worth betting will come down to price, with 7-5 or higher being fair. (9) CONFEDERATE has to prove himself versus older here. The post presents some issues but the talent is there. If the price is 7-2 or higher I’d take a swing. (4) TATTOO ARTIST hasn't been bad lately but also hasn't been as good as he was during his summer/early fall string of wins.

Race 12: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,250) in last 4/TM 83.5 (NW L2/2L4 84/84.5) or less

(5) STONEBRIDGE REEF seems to have found his form in his third start back from vacation. Five-year-old catches a soft group and should try to take charge here. (6) CALIBER was never put in play in his return to this oval. He's another one that I expect will be handled aggressively tonight. (2) PASSA-GRILLE BEACH returns here from an inside post and should get a smoother trip this time.

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Race 13: Non-winners $5,000 in last 4/TM 80.5 (NW 2L4 81.5) or less

(3) PAT STANLEY N raced ok from post 8 at Yonkers in his first start in two months and with Lasix added for a new barn. Veteran performer lands in a good spot tonight. (2) DIAMONDBEACH returns here at a reduced level and adds McCarthy to the team. (4) IDIOSYNCRATIC takes on his elders but is certainly fast enough. (1) I’M BURLINGTON was a winner versus lesser two starts back when last using a catch-driver.

Race 14: Winners 2-4 (NW L2 or 3YO 5) races or $50,000 (NW L2 $60,000) life/Opt. $50,000 Clm.

(5) BB LUCKY BOY rolled down the road perhaps versus slightly easier last week. If he can repeat that mile another victory seems likely. (7) ALL ALONE seems likely to be firing out with the top pick and could set up a rare winter line-up number here. (2) FLIRTIN JK looks fast enough on paper. Maybe the track switch and barn change will make the difference.