Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 3/27

MEET STATS: 159-34-18-27 / $163.80 (-$153.20)
BEST BETS: 12-7-1-1 / $24.40 (+0.40)
BEST BET: ST JAMES GATE (5th)
SPOT PLAY: GOOD ROCKIN (3rd)

Race 1: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,900) in last 5 - Pick 5

(3) JESSE DUKE N flashed good speed at both ends of the mile last week and seems to be primed for a big effort from the better post tonight. (1) INCREDIBLE SHARK also gets post relief and is certainly in a winning spot. (2) ITALIAN DELIGHT N finished right on the wire with the top pick a week ago. He's capable with the right trip.

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Race 2: Non-winners 2 races life

(2) STRAIGHT TALK swung wide on the final turn in his qualifier, which is rarely a recipe for success at any track. Son of Sweet Lou finished well and seems worth following. (4) EMBLAZE HANOVER finished a well-beaten second in his comeback qualifier, but lost to a horse with major stakes ambitions. The price could be right off the defeat. (6) GRETZKY put in an even effort in a strong mile to kick off his 2021 campaign. He can definitely show more now.

[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 - Survivor 7

(8) GOOD ROCKIN was used hard and lost to a killer last week. Now he drops to the basement condition. This race clearly goes through him, though interesting that Dube chose #1. (2) LOVE THE BLUES N takes the same drop as the top pick but certainly came out of a softer division last week. His recent form is bad, but class relief has a way of waking horses up. (1) TUXEDO BAY put in a solid mile from post 10 in his first start since October; player. (6) WARRAWEE VELOCE qualified back well for Burke but caught a tough spot to return.

Race 4: $12,500/$15,000 Claiming Handicap

(5) POKERFACE BLUECHIP picked up Dunn in the bike last week but had no chance after chasing slow fractions. Prior to that he was used hard going for the lead. If he can just get a clean trip victory is within reach. (6) MY ALPHA ROCK N has won two straight and is clearly the horse to beat, but there is no doubt he "stole" the race last time. (2) DULL ROAR raced well from post 10 and gets a class hike now. Veteran should get away close and have a puncher's chance. (9) JUSTIN CREDIBLE takes a 25% reduction in claiming price and despite the bad post and poor recent record, a wake-up isn't out of the question.

Race 5: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L3 $12,500) in last 5 or 8 races life/Opt. $30,000 Clm.

(7) ST JAMES GATE had some late life last week with a 27-second final quarter. Perhaps that means that the addition of Lasix worked. Burke trainee appears to be in the same class but actually faces a much softer field. (2) HEAT WAVE HANOVER also finished nicely last time in her second start back from winter vacation. Four-year-old mare could certainly continue to improve. (1) DOUBLE ACCOUNT has been a bit of a tease. He could win but seems better used underneath. (10) MISS MCKEE has displayed some ability and has the early speed to overcome the poor draw.

Race 6: Winners 4-7 races or $75,000 life - $50K GTD Pick 4

(2) ENVIRONS HANOVER takes what is usually a giant step up in class from NW2-4 to NW4-7, but he's looked the part of a serious horse every step of the way and seems like the horse to beat given the good post. (6) ALWAYS AND AGAIN is back at his comfort level where he posted a pair of wins and a second in his last three starts. (9) SOMBODYITREASURE showed last year that he is the real deal and having two qualifiers should ensure that he is ready; post the only question. (4) SAWYER'S DESIRE and (5) SEA OF LIFE both made over $100K as 3-year-olds and if either is ready to go after a single qualifier, they could win.

Race 7: Non-winners $4,500 (NW L3 $5,775) in last 5/TM Rating 80.96 or less

(5) REAGAN'S AVENGER finished steadily last time in his first start since early December and picks up an aggressive driver in Brennan tonight. Against a field which mostly lacks form, I'll take a shot that this one will perk up. (3) GRAND TETON really hasn't had much chance in his recent starts and prior to that he was facing better at Pocono. This guy hasn't been "good" in some time, but certainly this field is one he can defeat. (7) CRUZING HILL is the sharpest horse in the field by far but I'm not sold on him as the potential odds-on chalk.

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

I was rooting hard for (1) FRANCO TOTEM N last week at 28-1 and he just missed. Now in his second start since early January, against a seemingly softer group, he should be even better. (7) MISTER DONALD A did nothing wrong in his qualifier and it was hard to tell if he had more left. Import won 17 of 44 races in Australia and might just be the real deal. (3) CHASER HANOVER is in amazing form right now, perhaps even good enough to play with this field.

Race 9: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L2 $12,500) in last 5 or 8 races life

(3) WINNERUP returns to The Meadowlands at a reduced level and figures to be handled accordingly. (1) HENDERSON SEELSTER reunites with Andy Miller and that likely means we'll see some early speed. He's capable if able to work out a close-up trip. (7) REIGN OF HONOR did some good things last year and the only question is whether he is ready to fire off the qualifiers. (8) ROCK OF CASHEL tapped into the Fountain of Youth with a big mile last Saturday. This spot is tough.

Race 10: Non-winners $15,000 in last 5/TM Rating 92 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(9) DOJEA GIZMO won nearly half of his 22 starts in 2020 and qualified back very impressively. It is a tall task expecting a 4-year-old to beat older from post 9 in his first start of the year, but I do think it is possible. If the price is right I’ll be on board. (5) U S CAPTAIN overpowered a good group from post 10 last week and certainly has the looks of a clear player. (6) GODS SPIRIT N can certainly beat these if on his game, but this barn has been lagging a bit lately. If you see them put up some winners, use him.

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

Race 11: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,900) in last 5

(1) JK WILL POWER overcame a bad post at Pocono to finish second last week and that's a nice positive sign. He lands in a softer NW7500 and might just be the one to beat. (6) SPORTS COLUMN is another that should enjoy this NW7500, which plays more like a NW4500. His best makes him very competitive. (7) ROCK THE NITE gets a barn change and picks up Gingras. Those seem like viable angles versus a questionable field. (2) NUTCRACKER SWEET gets a new set of hands in Dexter Dunn at the controls.

Race 12: Non-winners $4,500 (NW L3 $5,775) in last 5/TM Rating 80.96 or less

(4) BILLY LINCOLN N gets the class and post relief he needs to be a major factor in what looks like a tight-knit group. (5) PASSA-GRILLE BEACH has found his form as he has dropped in company. (2) UNLOADED N only needs to stay on stride to have a major say. (8) PALOMAR can't seem to buy a win lately and the outside post may limit his ceiling to an exotic spot.

Race 13: $10,000 Claiming

(7) OCEAN COLONY showed his class last week with a wire-to-wire score for this claiming price. I'd expect another strong performance with the possibility that he could be claimed. (8) NORTHERN ROCK is moving up the claiming ladder yet lured Gingras off three others on the inside of the gate. (5) JUST WAVE GOODBYE was a consistent performer in this class for his previous barn. (2) FINAL JUSTICE gets a catch-driver back in the bike this week.