Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 12/3

FALL MEET STATS: 160-42-28-23 / $227.20 (-$92.80)

BEST BETS: 12-8-1-0 / $45.00 (+21.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 12-1-2-3 / $5.20 (-$18.80)

BEST BET: LEON DAVID (13th)

SPOT PLAY: PRAIRIE PANTHER (7th)

Race 1: TrackMaster 77 (NW L2/4 77.53/78 – 3yos 80.53) or less/Opt. $12,500 Clm. - Pick 5

(4) GALACTIC STORM came back from a two month break with a pair of decent efforts at Vernon and now adds Dexter Dunn. The driver has been on a tear, especially with horses he picks up for the first time. (5) LENDA HAND MAN had no chance from the outside post last time and took on a better field in his last try here two starts back. (7) CHIEF OF STAFF will be right there if the race goes in the 1:54 range, but I suspect an exotics spot will be his ceiling.

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Race 2: Winners 2-4 (NW L3 or 3yo 5) races or $50,000 life

(6) JAQEN H'GHAR has been slow to come along but clearly has turned a corner over the last two months. Gingras takes over in the bike here and some improvement is possible. (4) PRIMADONNA DEO is certainly the best horse in the race but she hasn’t started since October 30. (2) SWAN TRIXIE got Dunn's call over #'s 1 and 6. Horse was third with him in the bike in the Indiana Super Final.

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Race 3: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L3 $11,500) in last 5 or 3YO NW 7 races life - Survivor 7

(6) THE IDEAL DANCER A and (7) ARDEN MESSI N form an imposing uncoupled entry from trainer Andrew Harris. Both qualified very well and were racing in very fast miles in Australia. I'll lean slightly to the latter as he had the tougher qualifying trip and draws slightly better. (1) CONTROL HEAVEN got trapped for a short while and shook free with pace. He could be overbet here but certainly has a shot. (8) ON ACCIDENT could be an interesting play here if he fires out and gets a smooth trip.

Race 4: TrackMaster 74 (NW L3/2L5 74.5/75) or less

I'm rolling the dice here with (9) ITS SHOWTIME, who returns from three-plus month break but at a reduced level. With this being a blank field and considering he has some early speed, I'll take the stab. (6) SHADOW PHANTASY N rated slow fractions on the engine and couldn't seal the deal in the qualifier. That isn't ideal, but maybe he needed a start on Lasix and with the new barn to hit stride. (7) ALWAYS A PANTHER has the early zip to get into position and get a piece of the exotics. (2) HENRICO might draw some interest on the post and driver switches, but he was just even when he should've passed horses last time.

Race 5: $15,000-$17,500 Claiming Handicap

(8) DIG DANNY DIG doesn't appear to have much form but does drop in claiming price this week. It is also worth noting that the team of Estrada and Dunn do very well together. (10) PLAY JET RAY rolled to a very impressive score a week ago and anything close to that effort will likely produce a repeat performance. (6) SPOILERONTHEBEACH couldn't handle #10 last time. Maybe Gingras, who chose here over three other horses, can get more out of him.

Race 6: Winners 2-4 (NW L3 or 3yo 5) races or $50,000 (NW L3 $60,000) life - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) AMERICAN CLASSIC added Lasix and blew out a big mile at Pocono last time. If this 3-year-old by American Ideal can repeat that performance they'll be racing for second. (6) GROOVY MAN has proven in the past that he's fast enough to play with this group and notice that Lasix goes on here. (8) JAY BRACKEN A is another new arrival for Harris and the qualifier was sharp; maybe. (2) MAXIMUS MIKI has won four straight. (10) STONEBRIDGE REEF deserves a look on the driver change angle.

Race 7: TrackMaster 86 (NW L3/2L5 86.5/87) or less

(1) PRAIRIE PANTHER is a sharp and classy horse that has won here in the past. (8) REAGAN BLUE CHIP takes a shot on the big track and notice his career mark came at Woodbine. (6) BIG CHIC MAGNET adds Lasix and could certainly turn things around.

Race 8: Non-winners (NW L3 $15,400) in last 5/TM 89.21 or less - Pick 6

(6) SPEEDY DOMINIC A was an even fourth last time after missing six weeks of racing. I can see him being sharper this time while offering fair value on the board. (8) MAJOR FERNCO N finished willingly with no shot last weekend. He won in this class a few starts back and only needs to be put in play to have a shot. (2) OCEAN RIDGE N comes here off a win. Down Under import is fast enough when on his game.

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

(2) TEXAS TERROR N stays in for the same claiming price but bumps up in class here, which helps him get a good post for once. He lost to a killer last time and should be sitting pretty here close to the action. (1) SALTY ROBYN N ships in for a barn that won its only other start at the meet and lures Dunn. (6) COXCOMB arrives in fine form and might enjoy the bigger track considering his off the pace style of racing.

Race 10: Non-winners $20,000 in last 5/TM 92 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) CRUNCH TIME A has now won from on and off the pace in two U.S. starts. Import looks like he has the chops to take this step up but I wouldn't accept a short price. (4) DA DELIGHTFUL is a horse that some people may sleep on and he’s proven time and again that he can win in a spot like this one. (1) VETTEL N rarely throws in a bad mile and only needs a reasonable trip to succeed. (3) COLOSSAL STRIDE A comes off a win in this class.

Race 11: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3/2L6 $8,250/$8,455) in last 5/TM 82 (NW L3/5 82.6/83)

(1) FIX-IT-UP reunites with Bongiorno here and is certainly capable at this level. (6) TAD KRAZY HANOVER marched down the road in a lower class last weekend. (7) SECRET OR NOT really wasn't bad in his first start for this barn. Coming off a scratched-sick line isn't ideal, but if he looks sharp in the post parade maybe he's worth a stab at big odds.

Race 12: TrackMaster 77 (NW L2/4 77.53/78 – 3yos 80.53) or less/Opt. $12,500 Clm.

(8) RIVER DALI was used and held reasonably well last time considering he hadn't raced since early September. Five-year-old should be better tonight. (4) REVELRY is the one horse in the field dropping in company and it would be no shock to see him step up. (6) BUTTER UP has a chance to get involved at a big number here if Smith decides to get aggressive.

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Race 13: Non-winners $5,000 in last 5

(3) LEON DAVID is getting better with each start since returning from a few months on the bench. Saunders trainee faces a dull field and should prove tough. (7) TRUFFLE DOG drops off a decent attempt and perhaps we'll see some speed tonight. (6) RIFLEMAN also moves down the class ladder; wakes up?

Race 14: Non-winners $3,000 in last 5 or in 2022

(8) TWIN B EAGLE put together a decent qualifier in his one qualifier for new trainer Jake Leamon and I have confidence this barn can pick him up. (5) ROCK STEADY RON drops and has early speed. (3) KILOWATT KID N is a newcomer adding Dunn. (1) NOME HANOVER gets an inside post to work with this time.