Meadowlands

Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 1/29

Derick Giwner|Jan 27, 2022

MEET STATS: 90-20-12-12 / $127.60 (-$52.40)

BEST BETS: 6-2-1-1 / $6.40 (-5.60)

SPOT PLAYS: 6-2-0-1 / $25.00 (+$13.00)

BEST BET: CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN (3rd)

SPOT: MINDTRIP (7th)

Race 1: Non-winners $10,000 (NW L3 $11,000) in last 5/TM 88 (NW L2/5 88.5/89) - Pick 5

(6) GOOD ROCKIN wasn't bad in his first start back from a few months on the sidelines and should be even tighter now. Six-year-old is experienced over the track and might offer some value with a capable young driver that many people may not trust. (3) FATHER NUNO drops in class and should be put in play early. (1) NOWHERE CREEK A is an interesting Down Under shipper and while Erv Miller has seen success with them, they have been raced conservatively. (5) CYCLONE BANNER N moves to the middle of the gate and could be flashing early speed now. (8) WALKNAFTER MIDNITE is better from off the pace and that will likely be the plan tonight.

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Race 2: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 $2,751) in last 5

This is a salty group with eight of the 10 in the field dropping in class and some of them moving down a bunch of conditions. While we are left to wonder which of the octet will awaken, (8) JACKAMINO is a horse we know is ready to win because he was locked in last time and loaded with pace. Usually that means a short price but I'm hoping the outside post and number of droppers will negate that factor. (4) BULLVILLE TERROR was stuck on the outside of the gate in his last two and took legitimate shots up two classes three and four starts back. He should be a player here at a decent price. (7) CENTURY FURY was Gingras' pick over #’s 2, 3 and 6. Auciello trainee went an even mile in the NW4000 class last time.

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Race 3: Non-winners 2/3 races or $20,000/$30,000 life - Maidens draw inside - Survivor 7

(5) CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN was used to the front and raced well versus better foes last time. Four-year-old should be able to wire this field unless one of these steps up in a big way. (4) CANDY TRADER is a new addition to the Bongiorno barn and has raced well in both qualifiers. I'll be watching the post parade for signs of fitness. (3) DONTPASSME HANOVER only finished a couple of lengths behind the top pick after starting from post 10 last time. He's a legitimate threat if he behaves.

Race 4: Non-winners $4,000 (NW L3 $4,400) in last 5/TM 82 (NW L3/5 82.5/83)

(7) CHASER HANOVER was let loose last week and faced too much pressure to last the mile. That race should have stretched him out nicely to find the winner's circle on the class drop this time around. (1) ARTISTS RUFFLES gets class and post relief. Normally that means a short price, but his bad form and the mostly unknown young driver should provide a live horse at good odds. (3) THE MOONSHADOW N is down in company and certainly capable of perking up. (4) TUXEDO BAY falls into the same boat as #3 as a horse dropping down in search of form. The big difference here is a major driver change from Silva to Gingras, though MacDonald chose #3.

Race 5: TrackMaster Rating 79 (NW L3/5 79.5/80) or less

(1) FERNADO has to answer the question of missing seven weeks. The return qualifier looks bad at first glance but he was facing legitimate Grand Circuit foes. The driver change is nice! (8) NOX VEGAS BLUECHIP took a shot last time and faded late versus a slightly better group, and that was off a scratched-sick line. Let's not give up on him too fast. (6) TUAPEKA TRICK N hasn’t been good lately versus better foes; chance on best.

Race 6: $75,000 Claiming - $50K GTD Pick 4

(1) ROCKIN SPEED got in a useful race last weekend after coming back from a lengthy vacation. This looks like a perfect spot to let the dust settle and brush to the front. (4) REVOLVER N is always a bit of a guessing game but at least he offers good value. The inside post this week helps. (5) ROCKIN M should be heading to the front and he's consistently been performing well in this class.

Race 7: $20,000-$29,000 Claiming Handicap

(10) MINDTRIP tries again from post 10 after a fourth last time. This field is much softer than last Saturday. (4) BNGS EXPRESS gets an interesting trainer change. Veteran is more than capable at this level. (5) JUST N ACE has a bunch of on-the-board finishes in this class.

Race 8: $40,000-$60,000 Claiming Handicap - Pick 6

While (7) LEON DAVID's recent form looks sketchy, it really isn't as bad as it seems on paper. Moving in a few slots on the gate will help his cause tonight and I want to price shop in a field that seems wide-open. (5) WAY TO CLOSE beat many of these last week. Why not again? (10) YACHT SEELSTER is coming off consecutive breaks and is stuck in post 10; both undesirable factors. That said, the claiming price goes from 75K to 50K, so you have to think if it's possible he'll be live.

Race 9: Non-winners $10,000 (NW L3 $11,000) in last 5/TM 88 (NW L2/5 88.5/89)

(3) BETTOR BE OSCAR A was finally put in play in start three on these shores. The inside post suits him nicely to set up with a live trip tonight. (8) ROCKIN THE ACES double-drops in class and is a must-use. (2) ITALIAN DELIGHT N has come up with a second and third in this class the last two weeks and certainly has a big chance of getting over the top this time. (6) JK WILL POWER

Race 10: Preferred Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4

I wasn't expecting to select (3) COVERED BRIDGE off a win since he could end up being the favorite, but driver Yannick Gingras can read the program and this is a perfect spot to head to the front. Best case he sets a slow pace without pressure and worst case he sits the pocket behind #6. (7) LET IT RIDE N is capable off cover or even grinding first-over; dangerous. (6) MY PAL JOE has finished second in this class in back to back weeks.

Race 11: Non-winners $20,000 in las 5/TM 92 or less

(1) ANA AFREET N came up short last time after missing a couple of months. Seven-year-old can go with the Open types when sharp so assuming some improvement in his second start back, he should be tough in this class. (5) VETTEL N came up just short in this condition last time and is impossible to ignore. (7) PATRIKTHEPIRANHA A needs some pace up front to have a legitimate chance, but with the way things have been going under the "no tucks" rule, that is certainly possible. (6) TWIN B TUFFENUFF picked up some confidence last time and is capable of taking a step up the ladder.

Race 12: Non-winners $20,000 in las 5/TM 91 or less or 1 race since 10/3

(4) KENZIESKY HANOVER worked out a nice trip in his comeback from a short rest and picked up the win. She projects to be sitting the pocket here behind #5 or at worst a three-hole. That should have her in striking position. (7) MISSISSIPPI STORM qualified back sharply. He has the class to compete is ready. (10) JL CRUZE was super versus softer competition. How will the "King" handle post 10 and this group?

Race 13: Non-winners $7,000 in las 5/TM 85 (NW L3/5 85.5/86)

(6) WRAPPERS DELIGHT A lands in what I would consider to be a softer NW7000 this week. He'll need some pace help but can certainly upset. (3) RIFLEMAN drops down but is far from a lock. Don't back him if the price is too short. (7) PASSA-GRILLE BEACH was Gingras' choice over a couple of decent options who come off wins. (8) NOME HANOVER looks for three straight and has the early speed to gain valuable position.