Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 12/10

FALL MEET STATS: 183-48-32-26 / $317.00 (-$49.00)

BEST BETS: 14-8-3-0 / $45.00 (+17.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 14-2-2-3 / $10.20 (-$15.80)

BEST BET: INCOMMUNICADO (3rd)

SPOT PLAY: WHIMSICAL JOURNEY (4th)

Race 1: $15,000-$16,000 Claiming Handicap - Pick 5

(4) SGT PAPA DADDY gets some nice post relief which should allow him to be much closer to the front where he likes to be. (7) HIGHRTHANANEAGLE A chased in a fast qualifying mile that should have him tight for tonight. (2) SAFENSOUND HANOVER pulled off a big upset in this class a week ago.

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Race 2: $7,500 Claiming

(1) NIGHT EXPLORER switches barns, drops in for a claiming tag and adds McCarthy; seems like a winning trifecta of changes. (4) MADDOX HANOVER is another getting a change of scenery who could wake up with the driver change to a Hall of Famer. (2) SKYWAY FIREBALL won at this level last time and has nine wins on the year. (8) FUZZYLEGSANDALL is yet another getting a driver switch of note.

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Race 3: Open Handicap Trot - Survivor 7

(4) INCOMMUNICADO has been keeping better company in his two recent starts over the track. At least you know in a short field he'll be in contention with a big shot to get the top prize. (2) AHUNDREDDOLLARBILL held on for the win last weekend and now tackles tougher. His best is good enough if he is at the top of his game. (3) LINDY THE GREAT is a capable horse who I rarely guess right on. Here's another who could win if things go right.

Race 4: TrackMaster 77or less

(5) WHIMSICAL JOURNEY has won three of four starts with the lone loss coming at this level, but he had a bad post that night and lands in a perfect spot here. (2) SHADOW PHANTASY N won as the odds-on favorite in his debut for this barn and I don't expect the class jump here to hurt him much. (10) THNDRFRMTHETHRON N is certainly the sharpest horse in the race. Can he overcome the bad draw?

Race 5: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3 $8,250) in last 5/TM 82 (NW L3/5 82.5/83) or less

(5) GOTWUTEVERITTAKES comes with a breaking risk but did get along nicely with Ginsburg last week. If this guy decides to behave his form is good enough to blow these away. (6) ROMANTIC WARRIOR bested the top pick a week ago and has been in form for some time. (3) CINDY MICHELLE is clearly getting class relief here but really hasn't gone any big miles that would make you think she can be worth a shorter price. (4) CLASSIC EXPRESS adds a catch driver.

Race 6: Winners 5-7 (NW L3 or 3YO 8) races or $100,000 life - $50K GTD Pick 4

(8) DUKE OF CORNWALL N looked very much at home in his first taste of U.S. action as he cruised to a very easy qualifying win. Sometimes it takes a start for these Down Under imports to fire but this one looks ready. (2) BIG CHIC MAGNET and (7) AMERICAN CLASSIC both perked right up with Lasix added and they fit very well with this group unless #8 is a complete killer. (1) STONEBRIDGE REEF has been solid each of the last two weeks and can't be tossed as Dunn's pick over #7.

Race 7: TrackMaster 86 (NW L3/5 86.5/87) or less

There isn't a horse in this field I'm excited to bet. (9) PD THE BIG EASY broke last time and was stuck behind slow fractions in the prior start. I can make a case for him showing up here at a nice price. (5) ADAM CROCKER A drops down in company and figures to be firing off the gate; Lasix added. (3) PRAIRIE PANTHER disappointed in this class last week but gets away from all the horses that beat him.

Race 8: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5 or in 2022/TM 86.3 or less - Pick 6

(5) REBELLIOUS came up flat last time in a higher class after missing a few weeks of action. While this barn has yet to heat up at the meet, there is no doubt this guy is capable and the price will be large. (3) SPEEDY DOMINIC A drops out of the same race as the top pick and clearly merits serious consideration. (9) ON ACCIDENT has finished second in his last two starts in this condition and has the early speed to overcome the outside draw. (4) ROCKIN ACES has been right there every week while settling for smaller checks. Could this be the week he wakes up?

Race 9: $20,000-$30,000 Claiming Handicap

(5) BIG BAD BILL was used hard last time and paid the price. His odds should increase here and he's certainly in with a chance. (9) A BETTOR BEACH won this race last weekend and has made a good level at this claiming level in general. (3) WIN PLACE SHOW goes for three straight and this time with a claiming tag attached; hmmm.

Race 10: Non-winners $20,000 (NW L3 $23,000) in last 5/TM 92 or less/Opt. $50,000 Clm. - $50K GTD Pick 4

(8) MY PAL JOE hasn't turned in a good effort in some time but also hasn't been in this easy either. There is the question of missing a few weeks of action, so don't take a short price. (3) SOUTH BEACH STAR has gone some big miles here and his form is solid. (2) OCEAN RIDGE N has posted back to back wins and has the class to keep climbing the ladder.

Race 11: TrackMaster 83 or less

(2) HIGH BALLER had no shot last time while chasing slow fractions. Four-year-old's prior form is fine. (4) MINDTRIP gets a better post to start from here and should have a clear shot at the top. (6) PATERNITY SUIT A has also been racing well of late and only needs a smooth trip to have a big shot.

Race 12: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5 or 8 races life/TM 87 (NW L3 87.9) or less

(5) RICH AND MISERABLE and (7) DEE'S RED DELICIOUS are both very comfortable at this level. Either could win with any reasonable trip, though I'll give the edge to the slightly classier former. (9) DELAYED HANOVER stayed flat with hobbles added in start two for this barn. This 4-year-old has ability but the post isn't ideal.

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Race 13: $25,000-$30,000 Claiming Handicap

(8) YS DO IT RIGHT drops in claiming price and the addition of Dunn is a huge plus. (7) BLUE OCEAN picked up second in this class last time and if you are willing to accept odds that are cut in third, he's got a shot. (5) JOINT ACCOUNT gets a nice driver switch to McCarthy from a driver that is still winless at the meet. (3) INSTANTANEOUS has the early speed to make the top and potentially sit a good trip.

Race 14: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L3/L5 $5,500/$5,620) in last 5

(6) SOUTHPORT BEACH is worth a look on the trainer change angle. Interesting that they dropped him into a conditioned race than a claimer, though maybe that condition didn't fill. (5) LYONS PEGASUS drops down and might revert to early sped tactics. (2) COLLINA KAY JAY A adds Lasix here. Will that make a difference? (3) TRUFFLE DOG was third on the drop to this level a week ago; threat with a trip.