Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 4/17

MEET STATS: 237-52-36-33 / $271.80 (-$202.20)

BEST BETS: 18-9-1-1 / $32.00 (-4.00)

BEST BET: STONE HANOVER (3rd)

SPOT PLAY: BEYOND WORDS N (8th)

Race 1: $15,000/$20,000 Claiming Handicap - Pick 5

Wide-open race to kick off the Pick 5. (7) DULL ROAR is a classy 11-year-old who has seen the light bulb go on in 2021 after a winless 2020. When horses get this sharp it is best to ride the wave. (3) BATTLE STRONG raced well two starts back and had a tough trip last time. Moving into a hot barn that had multiple winners last week could mean a strong effort is coming. (9) CRUZING HILL is another getting a barn change, though this stable has been flat at the meet. He'll need to work out a trip to win. (8) BANK SEA swept the field last week and is certainly capable of winning back-to-back.

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Race 2: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3 $8,575) in last 5

(4) STEUBEN HANOVER ships down from Canada for top trotting trainer Luc Blais and seems to have found an ideal spot. Five-year-old charged home in his first start of the year and should only improve. (7) CHIPLOSIVE drops down for a good barn and should give the top pick a tussle. (6) IT AINT THE WHISKY finds a field without a ton of early speed and could get a big piece if McCarthy gets aggressive.

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

Race 3: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3 $8,500) in last 5 - Survivor 7

(6) STONE HANOVER gets a key condition shift here off a race where he had no shot and still paced home in 25 4/5. Five-year-old should take care of business tonight. (8) CLEVER CHARACTER was short in his first start of the year but should be better tonight. (7) QUALITY BUD and (3) POKERFACE BLUECHIP finished one-two while down a level last week, but each is sharp enough to handle the bump up here.

Race 4: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5 ($12,500 L4) or 10 races or $130,000 life or Opt. $30,000 Clm.

(6) REIGN OF HONOR broke last week but I'm not very concerned about it. He's a talented 5-year-old that should be hustled away from the gate and take them a long way. (1) CHIN CHIN HALL is also loaded with ability. The only question is whether he is ready off just one qualifier. (9) HL REVADON can get off the gate quickly and might find a nice seat.

Race 5: Winners 0-2 races or $20,000 (NW L3 $22,500) life

Trying to decipher which of the six horses coming off qualifiers will be raced aggressively or be ready is no easy task. I'll take my chances with (8) WHOLE LOTTA LOU even though I don't believe he is the best horse in the race. Sweet Lou colt has a couple of races under his belt and early speed to get into position. As long as we can get 5-2 or better, he seems playable. (9) I'LL DRINK TO THAT showed good speed in his last qualifier and sprinted home with a 26-second final quarter. I do find it strange that Dunn chose to drive #7. (6) SOMEWHEREINVERONA also won his qualifier but I have a feeling he is taking a conservative approach.

Race 6: Preferred Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4

(5) JL CRUZE scratched last week for "personal" reasons, whatever that means. I'm going to assume it was nothing to be concerned about with the horse since another Ell-trained entrant also scratched for the same reason. Let's expect the usual big effort from this guy, especially since he drew slightly better this week. (7) SCIROCCO ROB sat a good trip and blew them away in the lane to win the Preferred last week; main danger. (6) LINDY THE GREAT is capable of stepping up with a big race at any time and the recent qualifier says he is ready.

Race 7: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L3 $12,000) in last 5 or $15,000 in last 7

(2) THATSWHATISAID N gets some major post relief and by far draws best of those dropping down the condition ladder. He has a decent chance in a tight-knit race. (4) HEZA REAL DIAMOND proved again last week that he can step up at any time. He's up in class but more than fast enough if feeling good. (9) HARAMBE DEO has been somewhat disappointing of late, but you really can't fault him since he's only had a couple of trips to the track since January. Cullipher trainee is very capable.

Race 8: Non-winners $15,000 in last 4 or 9 races life/Opt. $50,000 Clm. - Pick 6

I fell in love with (7) BEYOND WORDS N after watching her qualify last Saturday. The Down Under import with a brilliant 9-5-3-0 record overseas, came home in 25 3/5 in her first U.S. action and did it while under a HUGE hold from driver Dexter Dunn. This is no easy field, which actually makes me happy, because maybe we'll get a reasonable price. (3) GIA’S SURREAL has been close in the top condition at Mohawk and the Drennan/Brennan combination has been clicking here. (6) APRIL AVA should be heading to the front and if she can somehow sit the pocket or get away with soft fractions, she has a shot. (9) BETALADY hasn't had much luck lately and could benefit from the switch to Sears in the bike; should be flying late.

Race 9: Winners 5-8 (NW L3 9) races or $83,000 life

(7) NICHOLAS BEACH was huge in defeat last time and while this is a tough group, my main concern is an underlay price, especially with Sears driving. (5) SPLASH BROTHER was a fast 3-year-old and his qualifier at Pocono certainly showed he is ready. He wasn't asked in the stretch but seemed to be going what he could. If he steps forward, watch out! (3) CAPTAIN VIDEO is another who was good as a 3-year-old, but he isn't coming back from a break. Son of Captaintreacherous has been doing very good work at Mohawk. (9) JUSTASEC N posted a big qualifier in his first start in the U.S. Down Under import could obviously be any kind.

Race 10: Preferred - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) ANA AFREET N moved to the big track and immediately picked up his game. With 24 wins in 50 career starts, clearly this guy likes to string together victories. (8) COLOSSAL STRIDE A is one of the sharpest horses competed at The Meadowlands right now. He has handled every class jump and just missed to the top pick last week. (3) VETTEL N did all he could coming home in 25 2/5 last week to be third. With the right trip and some minor improvement, he can make some noise. (6) U S CAPTAIN bested an easier group most recently and will get tested in this spot.

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

Race 11: Winners 2-4 (TM 87.05 or less 5) races or $40,000 (NW L2 $45,000) life

(6) ISLAND OF THE SEA was the second of two from this barn scratched last week as my top pick due to "personal" reasons. This spot doesn't look to be any tougher than last time, so I remain on board, even if Dunn went to #4. (9) GRAY DRAGON was second behind Captain Video, who is in a higher class earlier on this card, when last seen up in Canada. He'll have to fire off the gate to have a chance, but that is very possible. (1) ENVIRONS HANOVER wasn't quite as sharp last week as he had been a few starts back. He's worth one more chance.

Race 12: Non-winners $4,500 (NW L3 $5,100) in last 5

(6) TUXEDO BAY wasn't quite the same horse with the trainer in the bike last time. Dube is back! (8) IMA REAL LADYS MAN drops down for the Cullipher barn and is a logical player for sure. (1) WHITTAKER N agreed to bump up in class when he didn’t have to and was awarded the rail for his good will. He saved ground last week and wasn't bad; probably needs a trip.

Race 13: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 $3,000) in last 5/TM Rating 74 or less

(6) STATEMENT MADE A drops to the basement condition after a couple of decent efforts versus NW4500. He should be able to win with any reasonable trip unless (9) WORLD ON EDGE wakes up with a monster mile. The latter was once a fast horse who was able to produce that speed on the big track; barn change. (10) LOVE THE BLUES N raced well in his last start at this level, but post 10 is an issue. (3) GINGER TREE PETE gets a barn and driver change; improvement possible.