Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 4/1

WINTER MEET STATS: 300-80-64-39 / $513.00 (-$87.00)

BEST BETS: 22-6-9-2 / $32.40 (-11.60)

SPOT PLAYS: 22-4-4-3 / $27.40 (-$16.60)

BEST BET: ACTON HANOVER (9^th)

SPOT PLAY: MY PAL JOE (6^th)

Race 1: $12,500-$15,000 Claiming Handicap - Pick 5

(9) LACHIE MAGUIRE N seems to be in the cheapest claimer he has seen in a while and we already know he has the early speed to overcome the bad draw. (3) GRATEFUL KISS is down in class and seemingly in his comfort zone, though 2 wins in 42 starts over the last two years isn't inspiring. (1) DOUBLEAGENTMAN has been rallying well of late and it is notable that Tetrick choose here over #3 and #6.

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Race 2: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW L3/2L5 84/84.5) or less Series

This looks like a close-knit group and we'll try to pluck a price with (1) STRETCH THE LINE, who has clearly had his issue on the smaller track at Yonkers. His last try here was a solid fourth in 1:51 4/5, which is more than good enough to win here. (5) IDEAL BEACH switches classes after an even effort. His 1:50 2/5 win this year certainly sticks out. I wonder if we see early speed here. (7) ROCK LIGHTS was just even in his first start off the bench. He should be very comfortable versus this field.

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Race 3: SRF 3YO Colt & Gelding Trot for NW2 or $35,000 life - Survivor 7

(3) CRAZYLAND took air for the first 7/16ths of the mile before clearing the front in in his last start and still battled gamely to the wire. As that was only his second career start and first since December, some improvement should be coming. (2) PRETTY DAME SPEEDY had an easier trip and bested the top pick most recently; threat. (1) FLAMING ROADS went a mile two starts back that would make him very competitive in here.

Race 4: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L3/2L5 81/81.5) or less Series

(7) BRUSHING UP has become a new horse since the claim by Izzy Estrada and there is no reason why he won't continue to have success. (2) OAKWOOD VEGAS IR came up with a big mile last week to win from post 10 and has now won his last two starts over the track. (3) TRASHYTONGUETALKER is back at a level where he has hit the board a number of times in recent starts.

Race 5: Non-winners $5,000 in last 5/TM 80.5 (NW L3/2L5 81/81.5) or less

While this race includes a large mix of horses from different classes, you have to give credit to the race office for putting together a very competitive event. (4) CALLMEQUEENBEE A should provide fair value here, especially with Tetrick jumping ship for #10. Keep in mind that the Cullipher barn woke up in a big way last weekend with 3 wins from 11 starts. Prior to that they had just 5 wins from 81 starts. (8) CASH ROLL has the early speed to be the last to make the front. His third-place effort last time looks better when you consider he made two moves to gain control of the lead. (6) SHEIKH YABOOTY N returned here last Saturday and looked like he was in the Presidential motorcade because he was surrounded by horses in the lane. Once clear there was no horse moving faster. (7) KICKUPYAHEELS N beat most of these last week and deserves some respect.

Race 6: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L3 $12,101) in last 5 - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) MY PAL JOE pushed away a bit off the gate but elected for a quick tuck, which in hindsight led to an uncovered trip that didn't work out. Six-year-old is capable of blasting and this looks like the week to put that skill on display. (1) ULTIMAROCA was out-gamed last time by a head in this class and he's probably the horse to beat now. (2) SPRINGSTEEN is capable of riding the pylons and shaking free with a big late kick if a seam appears.

Race 7: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5

(6) MYSWEETBOYMAX double-drops in class tonight and really should awaken. (3) CAPTAIN FANCY also faces easier than he has seen in a while along with a much better post to work with this week. (9) IT’S IN THE STARS and (10) JIMMY CONNOR B are both sharp and capable if they can work out a reasonable trip.

Race 8: SRF 3YO Colt & Gelding Pace for NW2 or $35,000 life - Pick 6

Although I'd like to pick against (1) ALL ALONE, it is very difficult to make a case against him, or better yet, make a case as to which horse is going to step up to defeat him tonight. His form is fine, he’s shown guts in his victories and he has a conditioning edge on some of these. (4) CAVIART SCOTLAND looked like a winner before he broke trying to go up the pylons at Pocono. He can be a player here if he behaves and is put in position. (8) ANTS MARCHING is probably the most talented horse in the field but seems unlikely to be put in play early, which means he'll need some luck. (3) EL YERNO has been steady thus far; using underneath.

Race 9: Trackmaster 89.5 (NW L3/2L5 90/90.65) or less

(7) ACTON HANOVER takes a meaningful dip in class when you consider most of these have been competing in lower conditions. (6) I'M SOME GRADUATE is red-hot right now and certainly versatile enough to handle almost any trip. (3) MAGRITTE has tapped into the fountain of youth since the barn change and seemingly might be able to handle these given a reasonable trip.

Race 10: Open 2/Open 1 Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4

(5) BURNHAM BOY N cuts ties with the Borgata series after missing Lasix on Monday and perhaps that was a good thing as he's looked better to me on the big track. This is no easy field, but with plenty of early speed to his outside, perhaps it will set him up for a late rush on what could be an interesting surface given some rain and warm temperatures. (8) SOUTHWIND GENDRY is clearly the horse to beat. At this point I don't think we know how good he'll be this year, so don't accept a low price. (2) CAPTAIN CRUSADER A came up perhaps a bit short after missing three weeks of racing. I'm willing to give him a second chance here despite the tougher competition.

Race 11: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L3/2L5 81/81.5) or less Series

None of these jumps off the page for me so I'll try likely longshot (7) ROCKABILLY CHARM on the driver change angle to Gingras. He drove this guy to a pair of wins and a second in 2022. (3) JJ FLYNN did the heavy lifting on the engine and finished well ahead of the top pick last time. Unlike the top pair, (6) LETSGOTOBRAZIL A actually raced in this class last week and did ok with a third-place finish, though Todd McCarthy opted to stick with another contender in (2) BANK SEA.

Race 12: Non-winners $5,000 (NW 2L5 $5,831) in last 56

(8) MULLINAX is getting some clear class relief but could be overlooked in the wagering with other sharper options in the race and his seeming lack of early speed. Rest assured, this guy has some early zip if needed and is very capable over this track. (5) BAILEYS ROCK N and (6) FORTIFY both exit a NW7500 for this NW5000 and either could awaken. The latter is also making his second start after missing more than four weeks. (3) ANGERS BAYAMA blew away lesser on a sloppy track last time. This will be an interesting test for him.

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Race 13: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW L3/2L5 84/84.5) or less Series

(3) MARCUS SEELSTER is a very sharp horse moving up in class. This is often a great angle where you can get a better-than-warranted price on a horse. (7) SOUTHPORT BEACH displayed pace on both ends of the mile last week despite getting dq'd last time. He could certainly improve again this week in his third start back from vacation. (1) LONE WOLF AMERICAN won here immediately off the claim and then got stuck with an outside post at Freehold; contender.

Race 14: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L3 $3,331) in last 5

(9) CHUCKY HANOVER wasn't quite ready to fire last weekend in his first start since November. Cullipher trainee made good money as a 3-year-old and should be ready to fire a big shot here. (3) LEON DAVID is always a consistent threat at this level and seems certain to show plenty of early speed. (2) CHIEF OF STAFF is a sharp horse picking up a catch-driver. (4) YAYA'S HOT SPOT is a horse I've liked since he came here but he doesn't always show up with his best.