Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 12/5

MEET STATS: 195-47-28-26 / $319.60 (-$70.40)
BEST BETS: 14-7-1-3 / $22.80 (-$5.20)
BEST BET: VICTORIAS MAVERICK (2nd)
SPOT PLAYS: LET IT RIDE N (8th)

Race 1: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5 - $50K GTD Pick 5

(8) BARNABAS qualified with a solid final quarter in his first appearance for the Mike Watson stable. Six-year-old has some class and could easily wake up in the basement condition. (1) PREMIER ROCKSTAR plunges down the class ladder and really has no excuses for failure; worth a short price? (4) SPRINTER N is another with past credentials moving into a new barn. Don't be surprised if the light goes on.

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Race 2: $7,500 Claiming

(8) VICTORIAS MAVERICK moves into a barn that tends to do well with new arrivals and with him dropping in for a tag, I'd expect this 4-year-old to be ready. (1) DULL ROAR has yet to find the winner's circle in 2020, but he does plunge to the bottom claiming level and pick up Gingras. (5) THUNDER DOME has been closing well from some outside posts and may just switch things up from this spot. (10) S MCKEE is the sharpest horse in the race from a very tough post; leaning against on top.

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

Race 3: Trackmaster Rating 73 or less - Survivor 7

(7) STEUBEN GLADIATOR had no chance from post 8 at Monticello last time but won his previous start at Pocono. Trainer/driver combination picked up their first win of the meet last weekend and seem to have a live horse here. (5) CHIP FOR REAL was competitive in a series at Plainridge and Yannick is slated to drive; using. (9) ROCKAHOLIC is in a tough spot starting from the outside, but this guy is a gamer who will be trying hard and closing fast late. (1) FRANKANDJOANNE deserves at least a look in the post parade with Dunn picking up the drive.

Race 4: $10,000 Claiming

(1) IMAGEOFAROCKER is back in a straight $10,000 claimer tonight and he won in this class on October 31. Barn has had a solid meet. (6) CENTURY FERRARI broke and almost won from a tough post last time. Trainer has proven capable of moving a horse way up. (3) ALL WEEK moves inside on the gate and might get aggressive; form isn't bad. (8) DEERFIELD BEACH picked up a good-trip second last week in this company.

Race 5: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5

Let me preface my comments by saying there is not a horse in this field I would feel confident betting. (8) SKIP JIVE has big early speed in his arsenal and I wouldn't be shocked if he tried to wire this field. (1) CALVIN B has plenty of class and many wins over this surface when he was a younger horse. Can he relive his glory days? (6) CASIMIR RUMRUNNER changes barns. If Russo was going good I would be on this guy's bandwagon, but at 0-for-17 on the meet, the door is only slightly ajar on whether improvement is coming.

Race 6: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5/$50,000 Claiming - $50K GTD Pick 4

(2) DEALT A WINNER rolled down the road in his first start for new trainer Ron Burke. Classy veteran should prove tough despite facing a decent field. (1) JK WILL POWER kicked home ok while not passing many last week. There is talent here and he could step up. (3) DECISION DAY finally draws a decent post. Five-year-old has been sharp for some time and is a threat here.

Race 7: Non-winners 4 races or $50,000 life

(4) NO QUARTER was used hard last time from a bad post and tired as expected. He gets a better post now and should be tighter in his second start since October 11. (2) SLIPPIN THE CLUTCH was taken down in his last two by outside posts at Yonkers. As a 25-time winner in 33 starts for a good barn, he could be this good. (1) THE CANDYMAN CAN raced well in defeat upon arrival last Saturday. He's worth using in the Pick 4.

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

Race 8: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5 - Pick 6

(7) LET IT RIDE N uncorked a 26 3/5 final quarter to win his U.S. debut at Philly. That’s impressive! The competition is tougher here but I'm sticking with him. (1) B STONEY and (4) BECHERS BROOK A are an uncoupled pair from the Cullipher barn that both have credentials. The former makes his second start off the bench and should improve while the latter has some class and owns a 1:48 1/5 win over the track this year.

Race 9: Non-winners 6 races or $75,000 life

(2) RUTHLESS HANOVER came up short with Lasix added last time but it can take a start for the medication to really work. Off the memory of his previous wins, I'll stay here. (6) A MAJOR OMEN never got involved last time but is more than capable of firing off the gate tonight and putting in a big effort. (8) BRACKEN STORM A didn't miss a beat for his new barn last week; threat. (3) TRU LOU is certainly fast enough if on his 'A' game.

Race 10: Preferred - $40K GTD Pick 4

(7) AMERICAN HISTORY has found his groove lately and I’m not playing against him unless they go crazy and make him odds-on. (5) SPRINGSTEEN does his best work from off the pace and may get the chance to storm home off quick fractions from a good mid-pack post. (6) THIS IS THE PLAN pulled off a minor upset in the Borgata Eligibles race last time and certainly merits serious consideration in a conditioned race like this one. (3) DE LOS CIELOS DEO continues to race well most weeks, which could be a sign of maturity for this guy. I wouldn't count him out completely. (4) HARAMBE DEO is clearly a threat if he can revert to his miles two and three starts back.

Race 11: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5

(9) STONE HANOVER is one of many class-droppers in this field, but his advantages are that he'll certainly be a good price and he has early speed in a field that seems to lack that quality in abundance. (6) LACHIE MAGUIRE N is certainly fast enough to compete here on paper for a good barn. Don't be shocked if new driver Dexter Dunn wakes this guy up. (2) SAYING GRACE N seems like the favorite on paper and he's certainly the fastest in the field, but his recent form isn't exactly stellar. It may be worth taking a stand against him.

Race 12: $12,500/$15,000 Claiming Handicap

I'll admit that (6) SHATTERED GLASS will probably be a bit of an underlay in this spot, but he's so sharp and figuring out which of these is going to step up this week has me tilting back towards this reliable winner. (9) FOX VALLEY NEMITZ was HUGE last week for a barn that seemingly can't lose when they are having a good night. (2) WHATSTROUBLNUROCKY has decent form and should be able to stick close to the leaders from the inside post; trip threat.

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

(4) SUGAR FACTORY was bet heavily and used hard but made an uncharacteristic break last week. I'm going to stick with him. (9) GO WEST GO FAST drops down the class ladder and figures to see aggressive handling. (1) GHOST DANCE fits with this group. This barn pulled off one upset already at the meet. (8) IN ROCK WE TRUST raced much better last time with Yannick at the controls.