Meadowlands

Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 3/19

Derick Giwner|Mar 17, 2022

MEET STATS: 220-48-34-31 / $300.40 (-$139.60)

BEST BETS: 16-7-3-2 / $27.00 (-5.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 16-4-3-2 / $30.20 (-$1.80)

BEST BET: GODS SPIRIT N (3rd)

SPOT PLAY: GRAY DRAGON (9th)

Race 1: Winners 5-7 (NW L3 8) races life - Pick 5

(7) ONE EIGHT HUNDRED clearly picked up the game in qualifier number two. The outside post isn't ideal and everyone will have to admit that he has yet to live up to expectations, but he should really handle this field. (1) TRUFFLE DOG just missed with Lasix added, so maybe that helped; moves inside. (6) BAYFIELD BEACH has hinted at ability in his career and he should be tighter with the start under his belt last weekend.

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Race 2: Non-winners 1 (FM 2) life

(1) DUSTIN HANOVER was well off the gate in his last qualifier, which is somewhat concerning starting from the rail, but that doesn't mean it will be the same tonight. He came out at three-quarters in that morning effort and finished well within himself. I'll take a shot with this son of Father Patrick as long as he offers value and (2) EMMA TALKING takes all the tote action as expected. The latter rallied well to almost catch a more experienced foe in his career debut. He'll be tough in this spot. (3) FLYHAWK EL FUERTE was only a couple of lengths behind #2 most recently.

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Race 3: Non-winners $2,500 (NW 2L5 $2,750 or 1 race in 2022 $3,000) - Survivor 7

(1) GODS SPIRIT N took on a class-dropper last time who would be 2-5 in this spot. That was only his second start since August and I expect a monster effort in this basement condition. (5) THNDRFRMTHETHRON N moves into a new barn and drops in class from the claiming ranks. A wake-up is certainly possible. (6) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING is another who is down in class this week and eligible to perk up in a hurry.

Race 4: Winners 2-4 (NW L3 5) races life

(6) PRETTY RICKI lands in a great spot this week. After a string of starts versus some salty competition, this is a chance for him to shine. (5) WHOLE LOTTA LOU hasn't started since October but got lucky in a way drawing into a field of top-level foes in his one comeback qualifier. That effort should have him tight and McCarthy chose here over my top pick. (2) RIFLEMAN has been a consistent exotics player in recent weeks at Pocono.

Race 5: TrackMaster 80.5 or less

(10) IM A POWERPLAY A certainly has the speed to make the top and this field doesn't seem loaded with early zip. Down Under import came over with plenty of wins on his record and doesn't face the best field. (8) CAPTAIN’S REIGN has been sharp in amateur action and the addition of Tetrick should only help. (1) ARRHYTHMIC SURGE needs to stay closer to the action. If Callahan can do that, he has a shot.

Race 6: $20,000-$25,000 Claiming Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) WINNING LINC was used hard and held reasonably well last week versus a better overall field last week. I'm expecting him to head towards the front here. (4) WINDSONG JACK will certainly be sitting first or second and you can’t deny his form. (8) SO TAKE THAT is as sharp as they come in this group but he’ll likely have to close from close to last to win.

Race 7: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L3 $11,650) in last 5/TM 87 (NW L3 87.5) or less

Driver Todd McCarthy and I are clearly on different wave lengths on this card as he picked off my top selection again in this race. (4) PALOMAR drops back down to the level of his last win and as a closer the inside post should ensure he sticks close enough to make his late rally count. (5) HAIL CHRISTIAN N certainly has the early speed to make the front and the form to handle what looks like a giant step up in class. (2) DA DELIGHTFUL has proven very competitive in this condition and usually offers a fair price.

Race 8: $35,000-$50,000 Claiming Handicap - Pick 6

(4) WAY TO CLOSE missed a week due to weather and perhaps that's a good thing for a horse that raced four times in February. He draws a perfect post here and only needs a reasonable trip to win in a race with plenty of options. (8) THE BOOK OF LIFE has been solid in this class week after week and picked up a win last time. The best part is he usually offers a fair price. (9) BLACK CHEVRON N just missed versus #8 last Saturday and he does have the early speed to get into play; useable. (5) WRAPPERS DELIGHT A was very disappointing in his last start. Was that a sign of declining form or an anomaly?

Race 9: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5/NW 1 race since Oct. 1/NW20500L5 draw inside

(1) GRAY DRAGON was written into the class and is sharper than his recent finishes would have you believe. There could be value here on a very capable horse. (2) DE LOS CIELOS DEO is by far the sharpest horse in the field and another who was written into this class; obvious contender. (4) CHASER HANOVER rolled off from the field and couldn't be caught last weekend. His best is good enough to go with these on the class hike. (5) BRONX SEELSTER makes his second start back from vacation, drops in class and draws better; hard to toss.

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

It's hard to make a case for not assigning (6) LOVEDBYTHEMASSES the outside post but I guess 6 is close enough. He's been dominant all year and seems likely to blow by these again unless the forecasted rain creates a speed bias. (3) WARRIOR ONE returns here from Yonkers in good form and he's done well here plenty of times before. (2) DOUBLE ACCOUNT does best when near the lead and almost pulled it off last week.

Race 11: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3 $8,250) in last 5/TM 84 or less

(5) GOOD ROCKIN lost his last race by 91 lengths and came home in 44 2/5! I think I walk faster than that. Those kind of lines are often complete tosses and he qualified back in good order with a 25 2/5 final stanza. I'll take a shot in what shapes up as just an average field for the class. (2) DECISION DAY beat up on weaker last week but is more than capable of besting this group. (7) HEZA REAL DIAMOND is in a winning class if Tetrick wants to gun him to the front. I'll take a close look at him in the post parade and warm-up to see if he seems fired up.

Race 12: Non-winners $14,000 (NW L3 $15,400) in last 5 or 8 races or $90,000 life/Non-starters in 2022

(5) KENZIESKY HANOVER is much better on or near the lead and that almost has to be the tactics this week with him down in class. (4) TOCCOA FALLS just keeps looking better each week and maybe he is really this good. He'll 100% be on my Pick 4 ticket. (1) YOU WILL BE QUEEN doesn't rate as a win player for me but does have great form and he can follow closely to get into the exotics. (6) GOTWUTEVERITTAKES is the BIG question mark in the field. Anything close to his best could win this, but his form is awful.

Race 13: TrackMaster 74.5 (NW L3/5 75/75.86) or less

(2) ALWAYS A FORCE looks like a complete standout on paper. Is he worth 3-5? I don’t think so, but I also can't really recommend any of the others in this lackluster field. (6) DEERFIELD BEACH might have finally found the right spot to make the front without too much resistance. (3) OUR REGAL IDEAL N had no shot from post 8 out of town lately. Like (1) MY MCDREAMY, perhaps the surface switch will make a difference.