Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 3/13

MEET STATS: 107-18-13-14 / $91.60 (-$122.40)
BEST BETS: 8-4-0-1 / $10.80 (-5.20)
BEST BET: PAPPY GO GO (12TH)
SPOT PLAY: GODS SPIRIT N (9TH)

Race 1: Non-winners $4,500 (NW L3 $5,100) in last 5 - Pick 5

(6) THNDRFRMTHETHRON N & (8) LOVE THE BLUES N both drop in class for a barn that tends to do well in that scenario. The former went first-up and scored in his last appearance at this level and the latter had no chance from post 10 last time but did score in his last NW4500 appearance as well. (4) STARZNHEAVEN did all he could trying to close into a somewhat slow half last Saturday. He's more than capable of handling the class jump tonight. (3) PREMIER ROCKSTAR beat #4 last time with a strong early brush. (7) ALBERGO HANOVER seems like a better play underneath at this point, but he's good enough to win on his best. (5) PASS-GRILLE BEACH drops for Cullipher and lured Allard off #3.

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Race 2: $10,000 Claiming starters or less

(3) SUGARTOWN rolled to an impressive victory last week and was immediately claimed back by the Hernandez barn. Back in the same class, there is no reason he won't shine. (1) CRUZING HILL flashed speed at both ends of the mile to win against similar last Saturday; clear contender. (6) REGGIANO couldn't sustain first-over in the winning mile by #1 last time. His prior effort was an easy win in this class.

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

Race 3: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 $3,000) in last 5/$12,500 Clm. Starters or less - Survivor 7

(4) PALOMAR wasn't quite at his best last week but still raced evenly in a rather fast mile. Now in his third start back from vacation and dropping to the basement condition, he seems worth trying. (7) GO WEST GO FAST exits the same race as the top pick and it was no surprise he didn't do well from the back of the pack since nine horses went wire-to-wire on the card. He could offer some value here. (3) WINNING LINC went to Freehold to get healthy and actually closed nicely from a tough spot last time. Eight-year-old has some class and can certainly play with this group. (1) CLAYTONS BETTOR N got Dunn's call over my top pick, but he tends to go with this barn.

Race 4: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,600) in last 5 or $32,500 life

(6) STONEDUST has dealt with a bit of bad luck in recent weeks. This is a great spot and he's sure to offer better value than uncoupled stablemate (4) DEALER'S TABLE, who won as the chalk in his last start at the NW7500 level. (8) JK WILL POWER returns to The Meadowlands and picks up Gingras for a good barn. If able to get in play from the outside post, he has a shot.

Race 5: $12,500/$15,000 Claiming Handicap

(5) ACTING OUT gets an interesting barn change here on the claim. You have to think he'll be handled aggressively here. (4) THISISHOWWEDOIT is another with early speed and certainly good form; using. (7) POKERFACE BLUECHIP drops in for a claiming price again and might just awaken. (1) MIKE'S POWERHOUSE comes up from Dover and finds himself in a new barn; maybe.

Race 6: Non-winners $15,000 in last 5/9 races life/Non Starters in 2021 - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) SOME CHAPTER got run down by (4) GET LEGS last time out and perhaps if he can follow that one this week the tables will be turned. The latter has proven me wrong a number of times with seven wins in eight career starts. He's clearly the one to beat here but I still don't think he's worth the short price. (7) MISSION ACCEPTED was written into this class as a "non-starter in 2021". Classy 6-year-old is certainly dangerous but might need a start.

Race 7: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,600) in last 5 or $32,500 life

(7) GOOD ROCKIN was done in by a track bias and slow pace last Saturday. He's a viable value play in a field where the class-droppers will be heavily backed. (3) SAYING GRACE N, (4) LACHIE MAGUIRE N and (2) ON ACCIDENT all drop back down to the level of their last victory and any of the trio could score.

Race 8: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L3 $12,500) in last 5/TM Rating 88 or less - Pick 6

(9) LEXUS WITH A VIEW A went a monster mile in his U.S. debut, taking tons of air and still battling through the wire. A similar effort makes him a contender. Any improvement makes him very difficult to beat. (1) BOILING OAR has been facing Borgata foes in Ana Afreet and Western Fame lately. This field is much, much easier. (8) PADUKA N looks like the best of the horses bumping up the class ladder, but I'm just using the top pair on my Pick 4 and Pick 6 tickets.

Race 9: Non-winners $15,000 in last 5/TM Rating 92 or less

(7) GODS SPIRIT N rallied nicely to be second at 32-1 behind the aforementioned Ana Afreet last Saturday. Seven-year-old import from the Shane Tritton barn seems to be finding himself and might be ready to fire a huge mile. (4) COLOSSAL STRIDE A takes a huge step up the class ladder tonight but seems up to the task judging by his recent tries. (3) DECISION DAY was a few lengths behind the top pick most recently. Tonight’s inside post likely means he'll be firing off the gate.

Race 10: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L3 $13,100) in last 5 or 7 races life - $50K GTD Pick 4

(3) DELTASUN A gets meaningful class relief this week and should be handled with a purpose. (1) ROCK OF CASHEL has a start under his belt now and this classy 11-year-old could be ready for more. (6) GOES DOWN SMOOTH just needs a decent trip to have a say here. (5) WARRIOR ONE has big speed but has been off form for a while now; using underneath only.

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

Race 11: $10,000 Claiming starters or less

(8) MOTOR CITY MARCO gets an interesting barn change courtesy of the claim and an even more interesting driver change from an amateur pilot. He'll still likely need a decent trip, but he's very playable in this spot. (7) WATCHMENEIGHNEIGH and (2) VICTORIAS MAVERICK are a pair of uncoupled Williams Hernandez trainees who fit nicely in this $10K claiming class. (1) DULL ROAR has a pair of wins and a second at this level in his last four starts.

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

(3) PAPPY GO GO is another Andrew Harris horse dropping down to a winning level. Unless (6) GILLIE THE KID fires a big shot or (7) SKYWAY KON MAN gets a hot pace to close into, 'Pappy' should be the man here.

Race 13: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5/TM Rating 75 or less/Starters $12,500 Clm. or less

(5) MAKO BANNER N has been used hard in recent races at Dover, and while shippers from that neck of the woods aren't my go-to here, this one seems to be getting the class relief he needs. (2) PRIMO GIOVANNI has been racing well in this class of late. (4) TIME FOR GEORGE arrives here for a new trainer and with Dexter Dunn in the bike. (6) THE CANDYMAN CAN has been awful since the purchase by this group five starts back. If he can't succeed in this spot, another sale or venue change might need to be in his future.