Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 12/23

MEET STATS: 195-56-25-30 / $287.20 (-$102.80)

BEST BETS: 14-9-1-0 / $32.10 (+$4.10)

SPOT PLAYS: 12-3-1-1 / $11.60 (-$12.40)

BEST BET: WHOLE LOTTA LOU (11^th)

SPOT PLAY: BETTER THAN SOME (1^st)

Race 1: $15,000 Claiming - Pick 5

(1) BETTER THAN SOME has a start under his belt now after missing four months of pari-mutuel action. Tonight he lands in a field that lacks any killers. He can let the dust settle and brush or look for cover. (2) LOVIN ON YOU finishes well seemingly every week and he’ll be dangerous if in strike position. (5) THE BEST TYME EVER is one of the clear early speed players and tonight he picks up a more experienced pilot on the track.

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Race 2: Non-winners $2,000 (NW L2 $2,200) in last 4 - Survivor 7

(1) BAILEYS ROCK N is almost a carbon copy of the first race with a horse coming off an even mile following a layoff. This barn tends to fire in the right spots and this certainly qualifies. (4) SOUTHWIND PATRON didn’t fire in his first start for this barn but qualified well with Lasix added. Perhaps the medication will make a big difference. (6) WAR OF WILL looks bad on paper but arrives for a barn that seems to be live with everything; don’t ignore him! (2) BARGAIN SHOPPER has the early speed to stick close to the action and note that this guy has hit the board about 50% of the time in 2023.

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

(4) THIRD PILLAR was super last time and while technically who moves up in company, this field really isn’t very sharp. (1) SOUTHWIND SAMBUCCA has been chasing Flirtin JK of late and should have every chance this week. (5) BB LUCKY BOY has plenty of early speed and is factually the fastest in the field if he brings his best.

Race 4: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L2 $3,300) in last 4 - Pick 8

(5) FULSOME is one of many class-droppers in the field and is taking the biggest dip in company of the group. He’s no lock but he should be live tonight. (3) STONEBRIDGE REEF hasn’t been the same horse as he was earlier in the year but certainly merits serious consideration in this field. (9) ROCK THE DEVIL can fire to the front this week and get a nice piece of the pie.

Race 5: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,555) in last 4

(5) TJ’S INDY PACER came back from a mini vacation and drew two seven-holes at Yonkers, which is certainly not a recipe for success. Five-year-old stretches out on the big track and has a big chance to shine on the class drop. (10) AS ALWAYS is one of a few moving down in company and he does have the early speed to overcome the bad draw. (1) CALIBER has missed a few weeks and been scratched-sick along the way. Is he ready to roll? (8) DANCE IT OUT lured Boyd off #1 and #5, so maybe he has better insight than me.

Race 6: Winners over $10,000 in last 4 Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) QUEEN OF SUCCESS couldn’t have looked any better roaring out of the pocket for the going away score. I see no reason to jump ship despite the somewhat better competition. (4) TALK CURDY TO ME was run down by the top pick last time and might be able to chase that one from the pocket here. Will the different trips make the difference? (1) RACY ROXY A made a ton of money in Australia and qualified convincingly at Saratoga. We’ll find out what she’s made of tonight.

Race 7: $20,000-$30,000 Claiming Handicap

(8) NATIONAL SPORT was rolling along at Hoosier and he must need a big track for Morgan to bring him east. Notice he easily beat #10 on 12/8 at Hoosier and that one rolled to a 1:50 3/5 win here last week. (1) FLASHY DUDE has won three of four starts but needs to keep that form for a new barn. (10) BICORNE HANOVER has already been mentioned as a first-time winner over the track. Post 10 hurts but he has a big shot with a decent trip. (6) SAULSBROOK RAPTOR scored at first asking for new connections.

Race 8: Non-winners $10,000 (NW L2 $12,421) in last 4 or 4 races-$50,000 life/TM 85 or less - Pick 6

(4) LITTLE EXPENSIVE has chased some nice horses this year and now returns from a freshening off a sharp qualifier. Three-year-old seems ready to fire. (1) INAMINUTE HANOVER is back down in class to the level of his last win. (5) MAY BABY also drops and gets a better spot on the gate; dangerous on best.

Race 9: Non-winners $10,000 (NW 2L4 $11,501) in last 4/TM 86.5 (NW L2/2L4 87/87.85) or less

(4) BOILING OAR comes in from Yonkers where he was stuck in post eight. Veteran has past experience here and seems to have landed in a winning spot. (1) SUGAR ME N has speed and form, plus a better post to work with this time around. (7) DECISION DAY came to play in the NW5000 mini-series last time. We all know what he is capable of when on his game.

Race 10: Winners over $10,000 in last 4 Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4

(8) SOARING NOW has climbed the class ladder with ease and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. (4) BELMONT ROYALE N is capable of finishing strong or leaving for position; just needs the right trip. (3) RED RIGHT HAND has been stuck on the rim and hasn’t been able to finish his miles. He moves to the big track now and perhaps that will be to his liking.

Race 11: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,250) in last 4/TM 83.5 (NW L2/2L4 84/84.5) or less

(5) WHOLE LOTTA LOU was handled conservatively and closed well with no shot in his second start back from vacation. This field seems to lack early speed and I expect we’ll see new tactics. (2) CAVIART CAMDEN just missed off the bench and can certainly improve. (3) BRUTALLYHANDSOME A sports a decent record Down Under and a pretty good qualifier. I think he may need a start. (1) REVOLVER N picked up his game with Lasix added.

Race 12: $10,000 Claiming

There is plenty of potential early speed in here and this race could get wild. Let’s try likely longshot (4) LACHIE MAGUIRE N, who finished in 27 3/5 last time at huge odds and might get the right set-up from a good post. Notice his win over the track came in a higher claiming class (15k). (2) RACING MONEY is arguably in the best form of any in here and he drew nicely for success. (1) SELECT FRIDAY took advantage of a good pace last time to score at big odds. The price will come down some now.

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Race 13: Trackmaster 80 (NW L2/2L4 80.5/81) or less

(3) SNAP CALL drops out of claiming races were he was certainly facing tougher last weekend. Barn has been firing all meet and he should be live in this spot. (5) KING OF ACES couldn’t get there from seventh last time but seems to be in a better spot to show early speed now. (7) SEEUINNASHVILLE A is fairly consistent and is coming off a second in this condition most recently.

Race 14: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 or 2&3yo 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 or 2&3yo 3) life

(2) THE GOOD DOCTOR doesn’t seem to enjoy winning but does appear to be a second or two faster than this group. There really is no excuse for failure this week. (5) DARK MATTER and (4) LOULOUAMERI both ship down from Saratoga in fine form and either could step up on the big track. (1) LYONS TREACHEROUS has turned in two solid efforts since the barn change. Two-year-old will get tested in this spot and perhaps will pass.