Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 1/27

MEET STATS: 56-17-8-5 / $77.40 (-$34.60)

BEST BETS: 4-3-1-0 / $13.60 (+$5.60)

SPOT PLAYS: 4-1-1-0 / $4.20 (-$3.80)

BEST BET: LITTLE EXPENSIVE (10^th)

SPOT PLAY: HESTHERIGHTSTUFF (4^th)

Race 1: $15,000 Claiming - Pick 5

As far as $15,000 claimers go this race came up a bit soft and there is plenty of potential early speed on the outside of the gate to complicate handicapping matters. (4) HASHTAG WATCH ME was first-over and held his ground ok in his only Meadowlands start but proved he likes the big track in Canada. This barn was hot last weekend with horses returning from time off and this guy fits that bill. (1) INCREDIBLE BADGER gets a very interesting trainer change and could wake up in a hurry. (6) BUSH MAN N aimed too high upon arrival from Maine and seems to be better classified now. (2) NEEDHAM HANOVER beat some of these last week in this class but doesn’t seem worth a short price to repeat.

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Race 2: $10,000-$12,500 Claiming Handicap

(7) LITTLE POWER was used a bit to the front and got the job done rather easily last time versus many of the same foes he faces tonight. He’s the clear favorite to repeat. (9) GOLDEN GESTURE is a new shooter to this group. His line doesn’t look great last time but he did catch a runaway winner and held off the weaker ones. Notice the connections are cutting his claiming price in half; will fire out. (5) CONCUR chased home the top pick last time in a good mile.

Race 3: Non-winners $7,500 in last 4/TM 83.5 (NW L2 84) or less

(1) BARRIER drops out of the claiming scene where the competitors tend to be a bit sharper than those in the lower conditioned races. Five-year-old has had trouble getting over the top with just two wins in 50 races but may have finally found that winning spot. (4) VULCAN STAR N has picked up his game with Lasix added. He was hustled off the gate last time and only came away third and simply grinded them down for second late. (6) REVOLT and (8) MISTER DONALD A are both sharp enough to win given the right trip.

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

(2) HESTHERIGHTSTUFF seems to have simply benefitted from a fast pace last time but in reality he found too much company when pushing away from the gate and got parked every step of the mile in a decent showing. He drops a notch here and is perfectly drawn to work out a better trip. (8) SLING SHOCK did all the heavy lifting versus the top pick a week ago and only finished a half-length behind him; must-use. (5) LOU ED ZEPPELIN reunites with Ahle who did good work with him the last time they hooked up in December.

Race 5: Trackmaster 80 (NW L2/2L4 80.5/81) or less

This is a contentious race with many horses that could win given the right trip. (6) PARKLANE TERROR seems like he might provide good value. He raced well off the claim from behind last time and has proven he can handle the big track. (2) BANK SEA is a horse that can string together wins and adding David Miller to the team can only help. (7) KING OF ACES should be firing to the front again and if he can get away with a decent pace or sit a pocket, a win is certainly in the cards. (10) LIKE CLOCKWORK came to play on the barn change and certainly has a chance to fire out and win again.

Race 6: Non-winners $7,500 in last 4/TM 83.5 (NW L2 84) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) OZARK perhaps hung a bit late in the stretch but still turned in a good performance versus a better group than he tackles tonight. Good mid-pack post should leave Callahan options to work out the right trip. (2) ITS SHOWTIME took care of business convincingly against a field he should’ve beaten last weekend. He’s capable of handling these on his best. (5) LOVE YOUR WORK A would’ve done better last time if not blocked in the stretch. I worry he’ll be overbet off that trip; demand some value.

Race 7: Non-winners $7,500 in last 4 or $10,160 in last 8 or 4 races life/TM 83 (NW L2/2L4 83.5/84) or less

(7) KING ALPHONSO had to need the start last week having been on the sidelines since October. Seven-year-old drops a notch on the condition ladder and figures to show more. (4) LEXUS RANGER should be sitting no worse than the pocket here as he moves to a much better post this week. (1) THREEPOINTBLUECHIP got shuffled a bit in his qualifier and finished up nicely. Former Matron Stakes winner returns from a long stay on the sidelines and while he has ability, it may be best to watch a race unless he looks great on the track. (2) CHALLENGER bested #1 in the qualifier with a good first-over move. Notice he raced against the best 3-year-old trotters in 2023. (3) INTERVIEW FRA A has put together back-to-back seconds-place finishes.

Race 8: $20,000-$25,000 Claiming Handicap - Pick 6

(8) GENTLEMANJIM II IE drops his claiming price a few thousand to get out of the 10-hole and now seems likely to fire to the front for no worse than a pocket trip. (2) SOUTHPORT BEACH has lacked a knockout punch of late but should be sitting in good position here, perhaps third on the inside or second over. (5) HOMESTRETCH WES rolled by in the stretch last week against easier; trip threat. (4) THE BEST TYME EVER is also stepping up but is on a two-race winning streak. You can’t count this barn out right now.

Race 9: Non-winners $10,000 (NW L2 $11,000) in last 4/TM 86.5 (NW L2/2L4 87/87.76) or less

(5) TWIN B DELUXE left, was shuffled to third on the pylons and had every chance in the lane but flattened late against better. That was just his second start since February 2023 so it isn’t surprising that he wasn’t quite tight yet. Notice he did drop a second from his first start. (4) LOORRIM LAKE A couldn’t have been more impressive winning wire to wire last week. Bartlett jumps ship but that was expected for his main account Engblom. (2) OAKWOOD PADDY IR finished well ahead of the top pick when they last met; very sharp.

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

(9) LITTLE EXPENSIVE toyed with his competition when last seen a couple of weeks ago and I’m curious to see how good he can be at this point. (3) RICH AND MISERABLE raced steadily off the bench and could be ready to show more now. (6) TOCCOA FALLS and (7) NEXTROUNDSONME finished a head apart last time and now try their luck up in company.

Race 11: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 4

(4) TITO ROCKS hasn’t been very good but he does take a step down the class ladder here. Let’s give him the narrow call, but don’t accept a short price. (6) DA DELIGHTFUL has tons of class but also lacks the form he’s displayed in the past. He’s dangerous though. (1) STRENGTHANDHONOR N drops for a barn that scored at big odds on a similar move last weekend; using.

Race 12: Non-winners $2,000 (NW L2 $2,200) in last 4

(5) MCCLINCHIE N pushed away from the gate last time but had too much company and took back, ultimately ended up sitting last on the pylons. While finishing last he was even in the stretch. This looks like a spot where making the top is attainable and wiring this soft field shouldn’t be too difficult. (2) JAGGER ROCKS gets a driver change to Miller; perks him up? (1) STRAIGHT UP COOL has been a bit better since the barn change. He shouldn’t have to work as hard this week to stay near the front.

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Race 13: Trackmaster 77 (NW L2/2L4 77.5/78) or less

(10) ODDS ON BOCA RATON steps up in class slightly but I don’t think it will matter. Eight-year-old has the early speed to overcome the post and the class and form to succeed. (3) WAR OF WILL seems to be in a good spot while dropping in class but this barn has been ice cold since the calendar flipped to 2024. (4) POSH ON THE BEACH A raced well off the claim last time and Miller chose off (8) CAPTAIN T HANOVER for Estrada, which doesn’t happen often. The latter should be firing off the gate and has every right to be better than last time in his second start after a five week break.

Race 14: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races life/Maidens draw inside

(5) GRETZKY THE GREAT raced very well finishing second in his return to the races and should be able to take this field to task. (2) MORNIN CAPTAIN and (7) NO WORDS both qualified back well and it wouldn’t be a stretch for either of them to be ready with a big mile. (10) BETTOR’S VILLE gets a major driver change to Miller.