Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 3/6

MEET STATS: 94-15-11-11 / $69.60 (-$118.40)
BEST BETS: 7-3-0-1 / $8.60 (-5.40)
BEST BET: BILLY LINCOLN N (2nd)
SPOT PLAY: ATOMIC BLAST (4th)

Race 1: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5 (NW last 3 $5,100) - Pick 5

(2) PALOMAR took a tour of the track from post 10 after a few months on the sidelines and paced home nicely in 26 1/5. He's as fast as any in this field if ready, so take a close look at him on the track. (1) POKERFACE BLUECHIP had every chance in the stretch last week and lacked a late kick, though he was used in a quick opening half and does drop down tonight. (6) ALBERGO HANOVER raced much better on the barn change and certainly has the class to handle the class rise. (10) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH improved in his second start back from a break and certainly has the early speed to overcome the post. (7) GO WEST GO FAST is another class-dropper in the field. He did rally willingly when last seen. (4) GENERAL JOY is dropping in class and got Dunn's call over my top pick and three others.

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Race 2: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5 (NW last 3 $3,150) or 1 race in 2019 to 2021

(6) BILLY LINCOLN N had no chance of leaving when five others were eager off the gate and he saved ground every step of the mile while finishing willingly last time. Five-year-old drops to the basement condition and should handle these easily enough if he doesn't make a major mistake. (7) FULL VIEW took tons of money last weekend and launched an impressive first-over bid before succumbing late. A repeat performance will put him within the realm of the top pick. (1) MAYFIELD DUKE has some early speed and hails from a potentially live barn.

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

Race 3: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5 (NW last 3 $3,150) or 1 race in 2019 to 2021 - Survivor 7

(1) FORCE N FURY never got involved last Saturday from an outside post and having not started since mid-December. Moving to the inside of the gate and with the start in hand, I'm expecting a more aggressive effort. (4) STARZNHEAVEN was just steady in the stretch last week, but he drops again tonight and is more than capable of blowing away this field if feeling good. (7) GRIFFON HANOVER drops two condition levels from when we last saw him here and Gingras is listed to drive. (2) PREMIER ROCKSTAR tends to get into the number at this basement level.

Race 4: Winners 2-4 races or $35,000 life

(5) ATOMIC BLAST rallied well from far back in his first start since mid-November. Kelvin Harrison trainee has proven himself over the track and should be primed for a big effort in his second start back. (8) ENVIRONS HANOVER went a big uncovered mile to win last time and has defeated just about every horse in this field over the last few weeks. The outside post is the only issue. (6) BIG CITY BUD can't seem to get over the top but is right there every week.

Race 5: Non-winners $11,500 in last 5 (NW last 3 $13,000)/TM Rating 88 or less

(8) LEXUS WITH A VIEW A chased some fast foes in his last qualifier and wasn't exactly trying to win. There is certainly a chance he'll be handled conservatively in his U.S. debut, but it is also very possible that he'll beat these without much trouble. (2) I’M A BIG DEAL was shuffled, found some stretch traffic and finished mildly last Saturday. He's clearly a player in here. (6) BETTOR MEMORIES arrives for Burke/Gingras and seems likely to show early speed. (3) ON ACCIDENT didn't tire that badly last time after a tough trip. He's sharp enough to get a big piece with a good trip.

Race 6: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5 (NW last 2 $9,000) - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) MACH N CHEESE had a down year but still has class and his return qualifier was sharp. Six-year-old enters a new barn that tends to win in bunches, so if the earlier ones are good, jump on board. (9) STONEDUST flashed speed but got shuffled and rallied well up the cones from a tough spot. He drops down a notch but is no lock. (1) AFLAME HANOVER also qualified back in good order. A top-level horse when he was younger, he didn't excel at age 4 but might be ready to pick up his game now.

Race 7: Non-winners $11,500 in last 5 (NW last 3 $13,000) or 9 races or $100,000 life

(6) WARRIOR ONE only takes one step down the ladder but the difference in field quality is huge. I'm expecting a wire-to-wire effort. (4) PAPPY GO GO finally woke up last time. Classy veteran is more than capable of stringing together strong miles. (2) HL REVADON wasn’t ready to fire off the bench and he'll probably need another one before beating this group.

Race 8: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5 (NW last 2 $9,000)/Opt. $20,000 Clm. - Pick 6

(9) GOOD ROCKIN drops down in what looks like bad form, but a closer look at his competition shows horse after horse who would be odds-on in this spot. Dube hops back in the bike and a wake-up mile seems likely. (2) DUPLICATED N is technically climbing the class ladder but more than capable at this level and clearly sharp now. (3) UNLOADED N is from the same barn as #2 and also moving up but capable.

Race 9: Winners 4-6 races or $75,000 life

Yes, (8) SUNDOWN KID worked out a sweet trip last week, but he also uncorked an eye-popping 25 3/5 final quarter in his first start with Lasix to win. Hopefully a few people won't believe and we'll get a good price and trip. (5) ALWAYS AND AGAIN could have a bit of a tactical advantage here as the last of the early speed types to make the front. (3) ROCKIN THE ACES is coming off a disappointing effort but is more than capable of winning. (9) COLOSSAL STRIDE A has been super in his two stateside starts; this field is tougher.

Race 10: Winners Over/Junior Open - $50K GTD Pick 4

(9) ANA AFREET finished well with no real shot in his first start after a two-month break. He was super here in 2020 and might be ready to shine at a fair price now. (2) GODS SPIRIT N scratched out of a slightly easier spot last time but at least he dropped right back in the box a week later. He was rounding into form prior to the scratch and the post should work nicely for him. (6) WESTERN JOE should be gunning to the front and is always dangerous. (8) SAN DOMINO A blew them away in his qualifier. He enters the Nancy Takter barn and she is known for having them ready to roll.

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

Race 11: $10,000 Claiming

(2) REGGIANO posted an incredible mile last week and if he can come anywhere close to it again, he wins. (4) DULL ROAR took a shot in the amateur series and couldn't get the job done. He's right back in for a $10,000 claiming tag where he won consecutive starts. (3) WESTERN REDHOT moves into a live barn and could awaken. (6) TASTE OF HISTORY drops in claiming price and changes barns.

Race 12: Winners Over/Junior Open

(7) JL CRUZE is the best horse in the race. Yes, he's missed some time, but that shouldn't bother him and he has to take advantage of the opportunities available with this class not filling every week. (5) GOES DOWN SMOOTH raced well in his first start for this barn and I would expect improvement from this quality 5-year-old. (4) HENDERSON SEELSTER will likely be firing to the top and should get a piece.

Race 13: $10,000 Claiming

(6) NA NA NA BAATMAN gets a bit of post relief and finds a field without much early speed to his inside. I'm expecting all systems to be go at the start. (1) JUST WAVE GOODBYE will also certainly be firing out from the cones and should have a chance. (7) SUGARTOWN moves into a new barn after racing in amateur races. This guy used to be fast at one time. (8) CANDELL has a shot if he is kept closer to the action.