Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 2/25

WINTER MEET STATS: 165-37-29-23 / $250.80 (-$79.20)

BEST BETS: 12-2-5-2 / $16.00 (-8.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 12-1-2-1 / $5.00 (-$19.00)

BEST BET: RAPTORS FLIGHT N (4th)

SPOT PLAY: HIGH BALLER (2nd)

Race 1: TrackMaster 77.5 (NW L3/2L5 78/78.5) or less - Pick 5

(2) DOCTOR BB had a useful return effort after a couple of months resting on the bench. Four-year-old seems to be in a winning spot. (6) SAULSBROOK RAPTOR raced reasonably well upon arrival last week for a barn that is starting to heat up. (1) MAYBE NED could take some money here with Dunn joining the team. While he has a shot, I wouldn't want a short price considering his 1-for-40 record the last year-plus.

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Race 2: Non-winners $10,501 (NW L4/10 $11,880/$12,630) in last 5

(7) HIGH BALLER is back at The Meadowlands against the type of foes he beat back on January 21. You won't get 8-1 this time but a solid effort seems highly probable. (5) HP LIS SHADOW shifts conditions while in good form. Any reasonable trip gives him a shot. (2) RAUKAPUKA RULER N raced well from a difficult post in his first start off the shelf for new connections; more now?

Race 3: $12,500-$14,000 Claiming Handicap - Survivor 7

(5) BET THE LIMIT is back in the Estrada barn where he set a lifetime mark on January 29. Considering the top speed of this group, the class drop isn't a concern. (7) MARCUS SEELSTER was riding a two-race winning streak before getting placed way over his head. This spot is more manageable. (1) FOX VALLEY CARLIN is one of the few in here who isn't moving up in claiming price.

Race 4: TrackMaster 80.5 (NW L3/2L5 81/81.5) or less

(3) RAPTORS FLIGHT N lands a rare inside post which should allow him to either go to the front or look for cover. While his wins have come in lower classes, he’s certainly good enough to tackles these. (4) WINDSONG JACK was hung to dry last time but should have an easier road to the top here from this better post. (7) TRASHYTONGUETALKER wouldn't have won the race even if he didn't throw in a brief skip last time but he did race well and deserves some consideration.

Race 5: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5 or 5 races life/TM 85.30 (NW 2L5 86.25) or less

(5) DOUBLE ACCOUNT was parked out for three-eighths of a mile and still battled gamely in defeat last time while losing to a pair of fresher foes. Let's stick with him. (4) FRANK THE ELDER bested the top pick last time off a nice trip and certainly has a big chance again. (9) MON AMOUR rolled down the road with hobbles added. He jumps up in class but has the speed to go with them.

Race 6: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3 $8,580) in last 5 - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) ON ACCIDENT gets some serious class relief in that he gets away from the speedy and sharp Seriously Hanover in a mini-series. Expecting Brennan to have him fired up tonight. (8) GOOD ROCKIN almost made be very happy when he came charging home at 42-1 last time. Now he drops a level off that good effort; clear threat. (4) MAJOR FERNCO N need the start last time. Import fits with these and only needs a decent trip.

Race 7: $20,000-$30,000 Claiming Handicap

(7) TAM MAJOR A is back in the claiming ranks where he posted two strong efforts in a row two and three starts back. Bartlett leaves as expected to drive a Harris horse but we get a great replacement in Gingras. (9) BOILER MAKER has been a consistent performer in these claiming races despite being handicapped outside week after week. (2) BIZYS BEATLE has been rolling along for Sodano. Can he find that same GO for new connections?

Race 8: TrackMaster 86.5 (NW L2/2L5 87/88.28) or less - Pick 6

(4) LOORRIM LAKE A was thrown to the wolves in his U.S. debut when pitted against Jimmy Freight and company. It's a bit of a guessing game whether he's ready for a big mile but at least the price should be right on the class drop. (1) DONTLIKEITLEAVE and (2) ACTON HANOVER are both sharp and either could step up with a decent trip.

Race 9: TrackMaster 83.5 (NW L3/2L5 84/84.83) or less

(3) JK STANDINGOVATION is technically moving up to face better but lands in a rather soft field. Four-year-old is the sharpest horse and he can get the job done. (2) AUSSIE HANOVER gets a condition shift which should help and a post shift which will help. (6) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK has proven to be a steady check-getter of late in this class and underneath is where I'll use him tonight.

Race 10: TrackMaster 91 (NW L4 92) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(3) BETTOR MEMORIES gets a nice post shift which gives him a solid advantage on his main rivals. Classy 10-year-old is only a couple of wins away from millionaire status. (8) LOVE YOUR WORK A displayed good improvement in start two in this country. He held his ground well late while chasing better foes. (10) MY PAL JOE is very capable of firing off the wings of the gate and wiring this field if not many go with him.

Race 11: Non-winners $7,500 (NW 2L5 $8,250) in last 5/TM 82.5 or less

(1) I DA PRINCESS had made her way up to the Open handicap level at Yonkers last year so you know this company should be up her alley. Clearly she needed the start a week ago and perhaps tonight is the night. (2) NYLANDER drops down and figures to be forwardly placed. (9) GOTWUTEVERITTAKES gets a new driver and perhaps he can fire him up and keep him flat.

Race 12: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L3 $3,300) in last 5

(4) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE wasn't bad last time while racing against slightly better and I can see him offering good value. (10) ROCKEYED OPTIMIST double-drops in company but drew poorly. Classy veteran isn't what he once was but he should be good enough to be a serious threat. (6) LEON DAVID will be firing to the front again and remains dangerous. (8) DELEAR'S TABLE took too much air on the half last time and was used too hard the start prior.

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Race 13: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L3 $5,500) in last 5

(1) ROCKIN THE ACES finished fast from post 10 to get third last week and this classy guy seems to be coming around. (5) DOUBLE UP N is one of many dropping in class in this field, but he is also getting some nice post relief as well. (2) BARRAGE HANOVER raced well off the bench for a barn that has been sending out winners everywhere; improvement possible. (9) STONEDUST drops a couple of classes and new driver Gingras might try to air him out a bit.

Race 14: $7,500-$8,500 Claiming Handicap

(8) APPLE VALLEY ART found early speed in his last go-around against this claiming type. While he is far from a win machine, he looks as good as any in here. (7) OUR THIRD ROCK looked good in his last start at Freehold. If the scratched-sick line is minor, he's another that could prove tough. (4) RISKY BUDDY is certainly inconsistent but did race well in this class two starts back. (1) ELRAMA N has plenty of form. Fourteen-year-old is still motoring on and even got claimed recently.