Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 3/16

MEET STATS: 210-57-37-27 / $318.30 (-$101.70)

BEST BETS: 15-7-3-1 / $28.60 (-$1.40)

SPOT PLAYS: 15-3-6-1 / $11.20 (-$18.80)

BEST BET: DEAN B HANOVER (7^th)

SPOT PLAY: REVOLVER N (12^th)

Race 1: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 2 Pace - Pick 5

(1) HOMESTRETCH WES has been tackling some sharp foes of late and now finds himself getting the best of the draw compared to the formful foes in this amateur race. I’d expect Yogi to hustle this guy out to look for a good spot in third. (8) SOMIKI has been very good since the claim and should prove a serious contender here with any reasonable trip. (10) RANDOM HANOVER left almost as fast as the car last time so the outside post shouldn’t be concerning. He can play with this group if he doesn’t have to work too hard early.

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Race 2: Trackmaster 74 (NW L2/2L4 74.5/75.10) or less - Survivor 7

(8) PRIVATE SCOTT tucked and took aim in his debut for this barn but simply couldn’t pass a rated leader on a wet surface that was very speed favoring late in the card. This guy seems likely to be pointed down the road tonight. (3) OVER THE HORIZON gets a fair amount of class relief by shipping in from Saratoga. Four-year-old is unproven over this track, but a 1:53 2/5 win at Century Mile has to be close to a 1:51 and change mile here; dangerous. (5) ITS ROCKIN RANDY rolled to a near lifetime mark a week ago. A repeat performance would put him into the picture.

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Race 3: Non-winners $10,000 in last 4 or 6 races life/TM 85 (NW L2/2L4 85.5/86.35) or less

(7) BETTERINPINEHURST went off favored (foolishly, perhaps) versus a much better field last week and was done in by a bad post and track that was favoring speed. He’s not known for his early zip, which makes it tough to love him, but there are no excuses for failure. (4) DRIBBLING BI was a game winner last Saturday. He continues to climb the ladder in fine form. (6) DYLADMAR got a very conservative steer and came home with steady trot along the cones. Does he get let loose here? I’m just not sure.

Race 4: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races life/Maidens draw inside - Pick 8

(2) AMERICAGREATAGAIN rolled past most of the field impressively in his debut at Pocono and last time was driven poorly and took the entire final turn wide. Moving to The Meadowlands should only help this guy and I can see a big effort coming. (7) ANTE UP HANOVER won nine races as a 2-year-old including the Fair final at Pocono in 1:53 2/5. It isn’t farfetched to believe he can put up a 1:52 mile tonight. (10) BONAPARTE beat the top pick last time at Pocono when he had everything his own way on the front. If he gets another soft pace on the lead he could win again.

Race 5: Winners 2-4 (NW L/S 5) races life or 4YOs or non-starters in 2024/Opt. $50,000 Claiming

This is an interesting race with some sharp horses and some returning 4-year-olds. (3) BUGABOO LOU qualified well despite finishing fourth as he sprinted home with the pack late in the mile. He can sit just off the early speed here and hopefully land live cover. (8) BATTLEFIELD is versatile enough to race from on or off the pace and he certainly has form. (9) WRITE ME A ROSE was super in his last qualifier and he finished with plenty of pace up the inside. I worry here that this will be treated as an “easy” race. (4) MIDNIGHT THUNDER was second behind Sheer Terror last time and he would likely be favored in here.

Race 6: Play Meadowlands NW10501 (NW L2 $11K) in last 4/TM 86.55 (NW L2/2L4 87/87.5) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(5) STONEBRIDGE REEF has been finishing fine week after week with little to show for it. He drops to the level of his last win tonight and should have a big shot. (2) IDEAL FEELING has been racing very well against this type and there is no reason to believe a regression is coming. (4) BLAZING BANNER N got the jump on the field and no one could close into him last week. He’s got a big shot in here but isn’t worth a play if sent off as the chalk.

Race 7: Non-winners $7,500 in last 4/TM 83 (NW L2 84) or less

(7) DEAN B HANOVER has actually been racing well but it is nearly impossible to win when coming from off the pace into three-quarter times of 1:25 2/5. Cullipher trainee gets some class relief here and perhaps will change tactics a bit. (1) CAPTAIN FANCY qualified back nicely and he’s certainly fast enough to win if ready. (8) ER VEGAS hasn’t missed the board in months.

Race 8: Trackmaster 80 (NW L2/2L4/NWL10 80.5/81/82.82) or less - Pick 6

(7) MASK ON MASK OFF is in good form and I like that he has early speed in his arsenal while facing a field that appears to lack that quality. (5) GIVE US AWAVE A had won two of three starts before getting stuck in the eight-hole at Saratoga. That he has a win over the track here last year is a plus. (1) LOVETHEWAYYOULIE is probably a stretch on the win end without the right trip but he’s in good enough shape to get an exotics mix.

Race 9: Play Meadowlands NW10501 (NW L2 $11K) in last 4/TM 86.55 (NW L2/2L4 87/87.5) or less

I’m going to take a shot here with (2) MY PAL JOE in hopes that his last effort is a sign of him turning the corner rather than an improved try because the race simply went slower. The move to the inside of the gate also helps. (3) CAPTAIN COWBOY just missed in this class a week ago and certainly has a shot again. (7) LOORRIM LAKE A put in another break last time. He’s capable when he behaves and the price should be right.

Race 10: Non-winners $20,000 in last 4/TM 91.8 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) STABLE GENIUS was super last time passing most of the field and the rise in class didn’t bother him at all. I’ll stick with this apparently improving 5-year-old. (2) NEXTROUNDSONME seemed to respond very nicely to getting Dunn in the bike and I’m intrigued now. (1) KING ALPHONSO doesn’t miss the board often. He got away from the field last time and was safely clear. He could win but demand at least 3-1 if you like him.

Race 11: $11,000-$15,000 Claiming Handicap

(3) SOUTHWIND DREDGE got caught in a situation where the winner bottomed out the field and he simply had too far to come in the stretch. He should be leaving the gate here and likely will end up in close attendance. (9) NEEDHAM HANOVER looked but couldn’t sustain last week. The outside post hurts his chances but he remains sharp. (7) BETTER THAN SOME was burned up on the engine last time. The road to the front should be smoother here.

Race 12: Play Meadowlands NW5000 (NW 2L4 $5,815) in last 4

(5) REVOLVER N is much sharper than he may appear on paper as there was no chance he was winning from last a week ago. Veteran is capable of a big mile and this looks like the right spot. (1) SHOOBEE DOO A got parked out in an all-women race last week. Class drop here and the Buckeye joining the team in the bike make him very playable. (3) DE LOS CIELOS DEO chased as best as he could last time in a good mile. Moving to the inside of the gate helps his cause. (6) LEON DAVID rallied nicely late at big odds last time. Another exotics showing is very possible.

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Race 13: Play Meadowlands NW5000 (NW 2L4 $5,815) in last 4

(4) LOVE YOUR WORK A has two wins in three starts when in NW5000 or lower at The Meadowlands. The class drop here can certainly help awaken his fire. (1) KOLBY TWO STEP got away with very soft fractions and sprinted home an easy winner last weekend. I’m expected another strong effort as there should be plenty left in the tank. (6) PROSPECTORS GOLD has been finishing well and I wouldn’t be shocked if he got a big part tonight.

Race 14: Non-winners $2,000 (NW L2 $2,330) in last 4

While it is hard to see in the PP lines, (8) MINDTRIP was aggressively handled last week and made a brush to the front before leveling off late in the mile. He gets another drop in company here and has no excuses. (6) C-BET HANOVER was trapped behind a gapping horse and finished well once clear in the stretch last Saturday; win candidate. (2) CAVIART ROCKLAND should be heading to the front and seems likely to work out a decent trip.