Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 1/7

FINAL FALL MEET STATS: 211-55-35-29 / $369.40 (-$52.60)

BEST BETS: 16-8-3-0 / $45.00 (+13.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 16-2-2-4 / $10.20 (-$19.80)

BEST BET: A BETTOR BEACH (5th)

SPOT PLAY: GOOD ROCKIN (6th)

Race 1: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L3 $5,500) in last 5 - Pick 5

(1) DE LOS CIELOS DEO is clearly the horse to beat if ready off the six-month layoff. The return qualifier was good and he won missing four weeks early in 2022. (5) CATCH ME CONRAD double-drops in class and is a logical contender to use in the Pick 5. (2) THE WALL hasn't been that sharp lately but his best would be competitive.

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Race 2: $15,000-$20,000 Claiming Handicap

(5) LET'S GET ROCKED drops in for a tag for the first time in his career and I wouldn't be shocked if someone reached in to grab him thinking they can do better. Four-year-old shows some good miles at Pocono in November and doesn't exactly face a strong group. (6) LONE WOLF AMERICAN has raced well in his last two starts over the track; drops in claiming price. (8) FOX VALLEY CARLIN also moves out of the $25K level for this spot and his recent form is decent.

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

It is hard to know if (5) WATER SPORTS TEEN is ready to pop a big mile but his last qualifier was solid. His best is best and perhaps we'll learn more in the warm-up. (9) DONTPASSME HANOVER and (10) I’LL DRINK TO THAT are both dropping down a condition and either could step up despite the bad post draws.

Race 4: Winners 2-4 (NW L2 5) races or $50,000 (NW L3 $60,000) life/AE: $50,000 Clm.

(9) MIND HUNTER broke out of his shell with a monster mile in his first start for Engblom. Four-year-old seems worth following. (6) SPORTY M THREE didn't fire in his Burke barn debut but his big-track starts were better up north. I wouldn’t give up on him just yet. (7) AUSSIE HANOVER is clearly the sharpest horse in the race and you may even get some value on him. (2) KATIES BET deserves at least some consideration on the switch to the 'Minister of Speed'.

Race 5: $25,000-$30,000 Claiming Handicap

(3) A BETTOR BEACH was used hard and made a break last time, which in my mind only serves to provide us a better price here. Seven-year-old is capable from on or off the pace and he draws a perfect post tonight. (5) SECRECY seems likely to blast to the front and with little outside speed signed on he could go a long way. (7) BOILER MAKER has been right there in this class in recent weeks.

Race 6: $40,000-$50,000 Claiming Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4

(5) GOOD ROCKIN shows a string of lines in December that say he's a sharp horse and I respect his ability to win from almost anywhere on the track. Brennan will certainly get the most out of him. (1) BARON MICHAEL hasn't been able to come close from outside posts lately at Yonkers but did win three and five starts back when he drew well. (9) BRACKLEY BEACH has been killing it in the 40K claiming level at Yonkers. Will that form transfer to the bigger oval?

Race 7: Winners 2-4 (NW L2 5) races or $50,000 (NW L3 $60,000) life/AE: $50,000 Clm.

(2) BUCHANNON HANOVER raced pretty well in his debut for this barn and now gets a shot on the big track for the first time. Since he figures to be a healthy price and should get a decent trip from the inside post, let's take a shot. (4) RESTAURANT BILLY couldn't handle the bad post last time but was in fine form prior to that. I'd want 5-1 or higher but could play this guy. (8) STONEBRIDGE REEF has raced well in this class many times and it would be no surprise to see him gun off the gate. (10) ARIO HANOVER seems like the favorite here despite drawing post 10, though he did get caught last time at Philly on the engine.

Race 8: TrackMaster 86 (NW L3/2L5 86.5/87) or less - Pick 6

(7) BOBCAT BAY probably needs a bit of help to win this race but there does seem to be ample early speed to set him up from off the pace at a price. (6) ADAM CROCKER A tends to fire hard off the gate at this track and he projects as the last early speed horse to make the top. (1) REVOLVER N won in this class two starts back. (4) GENTLEMANJIM II IE has been racing well at Yonkers and shouldn't miss a beat switching to the Bongiorno barn.

Race 9: Non-winners $14,000 (NW L3 $15,400) in last 5/TM 88.5 (NW L3/5 89/89.5) or less

(6) ROCKIN THE ACES was placed on the engine last time and it didn't work out as intended. In a race with plenty of early speed signed on, perhaps new driver Marohn will be more patient and use his late speed, which may be his preferred racing style. (5) ULTIMAROCA is back at The Meadowlands where he has done well many times. Don't underestimate the power of a track change. (8) THE BIRD DANCE N has been climbing the ladder with success and won in a similar class last time out.

Race 10: Non-winners $20,000 (NW L2 $22,000) in last 5 or 10 races life/TM 91.5 (NW L3/5 92/92.5) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(5) THE IDEAL DANCER A was bet like a good thing upon arrival at this oval and failed to deliver. He then went to Philly to pick up confidence and excelled. Back at The Big M, there is no reason he can't continue the good run. (10) SUGAR ME N added Lasix and picked up his game with a 25 2/5 final quarter when last seen. The post will make the task difficult but not impossible. (3) MY PAL JOE didn't live up to his potential in 2022 but this is a new year and this field might be more to his liking. (2) BELMONT ROYALE N is in import that fired at first asking on these shores. Ignore the start last time as the post did him in.

Race 11: $20,000 Claiming

(4) BIZYS BEATLE has been perfect in two starts since switching barns and can continue the run despite the change of scenery. (9) UNDERTAKER gets a driver change to Gingras and seems worth consideration. (1) BETTER THAN SOME comes in from Philly with decent form and should sit close and get a piece.

Race 12: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3 $8,250) in last 5

(6) SHVAIKO raced well in his first start for this barn and that was following a six-month layoff. Any slight improvement tonight makes him the one to beat. (8) IDEALSOMEMAGIC A raced well from off the pace in his North American debut and could certainly show more in start two. (4) SPEEDY DOMINIC A and (1) BULLVILLE TERROR both drop in class and are worth consideration on your Pick 4 tickets.

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Race 13: TrackMaster 83 (NW L3/2L5 83.5/84.16) or less

(5) PICKUP MAN HANOVER has been virtually unstoppable at Saratoga other than his starts from the dreaded eight-hole. He deserves a shot to prove his worth here, especially against this mixed bag of competitors. (6) HESTHERIGHTSTUFF comes down sharp from Saratoga and finds a lower level than his last trip here. (9) GENERAL MONTANA N was even in his first start in this country and picked up a win in start two. He could very well be good enough as the sample size is limited.

Race 14: $25,000-$29,000 Claiming Handicap

(4) DONTLIKEITLEAVE didn't fire in his first start for Alexander but I wouldn't jump off the boat too quickly. Notice that Zeron chose here over #9 who he drove to victory last out. (5) DYNOMITES PEAK was a good second in this class in his last start. (1) FREE ON THE BEACH gets interesting barn and driver changes; using on multi-race tickets. (9) KOBRA KAI won for this claiming price in his last start but drew worse this time around.