Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 4/24

MEET STATS: 263-64-38-38 / $339.80 (-$186.20)

BEST BETS: 20-11-1-1 / $37.00 (-3.00)

BEST BET: COVERED BRIDGE (11th)

SPOT PLAY: FOREVERNALWAYS (1st)

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

(4) FOREVERNALWAYS drops in for a claiming tag this week and I'll be shocked if he doesn't bring a huge effort. (5) INDEPENDENT ONE probably needs a trip but is very capable at big odds if he gets it. (10) DULL ROAR goes for four straight and is clearly the one to beat. That said, post 10 is tough and he does start for a new barn. (3) NORTHERN ROCK has raced very well for this barn and Gingras elects to stay here.

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Race 2: TrackMaster 73.5 (NW L2 75.88) or less

(3) ROCKINWITHTHEBEST was impeded at Freehold last time and now returns to the big track and picks up Tetrick against a mostly dull field. At 3 for his last 42 it is hard to love him, but I'll give him the narrow call. (1) SOSSY'S KING KONG was a smart claim seeing as he can get in this cheaper TrackMaster class. We could see speed here. (7) CASHNCAM has a good record of on-the-board finishes in this class.

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Race 3: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 $3,000) in last 5/TM 74 or less - Survivor 7

(8) IMAROCNROLLEGEND N qualified back well versus a foe who would be 1-20 in this field and win by a dozen lengths. (1) WHITTAKER isn't exactly on his game now but has been stuck in some pretty fast races. He should be much closer to the pace this week. (5) LOVE THE BLUES N tends to produce good efforts when at this bottom condition level.

Race 4: Non-winners 2 (NW L4 3) races life - 3YO C&G

(7) STONEBRIDGE REEF and (5) SOMEWHEREINVERONA finished a half-length apart from each other in their first starts of 2021. Both horses show some stakes races last year and the ability to display early speed. I believe at least one will be firing early. Let's use both in the multi-race exotics. (8) LITERL LAD HANOVER is a talented colt that lacked some luck as a 2-year-old. The qualifier was ok but I'm going to watch a start unless the odds are good. (4) CONTROL HEAVEN was even in his qualifier and might need a start.

Race 5: Winners 2-4 races life

(1) CAPTAIN BARBOSSA seems to have a win that was a non-bettor which easily allows him into this field. Qualifier was strong and he dealt with some traffic trouble before coming home fast. Little Brown Jug winner is supposed to score here. (2) BETTER TAKE IT makes his first start for new connections and was certainly rolling along up in Canada. If the four-week break in action doesn't stop him, he should bring a good effort. (4) THE GREEK FREAK has speed but was never able to put it all together. Maybe as a 4-year-old he'll mature.

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

(3) REIGN OF HONOR did all he could to win last week but was the victim of a slow pace. This is a huge test against some quality foes and Tetrick elected to drive #8, but I see some potential value here on a quality horse. (8) SCIROCCO ROB just missed in a good mile last time. He hasn't thrown in many bad races this year. (7) JL CRUZE seems to be short after missing a few weeks. Do we get the real 'Cruze' tonight?

Race 7: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5 or $15,000 in last 8/TM 90.6 or less

(7) STARS ALIGN A moves into a new barn and perhaps more importantly gets some major class relief after four starts in the Borgata. I'll take a shot that he wakes up. (3) HARAMBE DEO finally gets a good post to work with so he doesn't have to be used hard to be involved. (5) DUDDIE'S LOR seems to have found himself in recent weeks and may just be sharp enough to get a nice piece here. (8) STONE HANOVER has some talent but faces a much tougher field this week.

Race 8: Winners over $10,500 in last 5 Handicap - Pick 6

(10) MAJOR OCCASION A went up to Mohawk and raced very well and is now back in a rather soft spot despite facing some sharp foes. The post isn't ideal but she can overcome. (8) MARLOE HANOVER has been racing well but settling for second of late. I don't expect her to be on the lead here, which could help. (2) APRIL AVA has climbed the ladder and held her own; using underneath.

Race 9: Winners 5-8 (NW L3 9) races or $75,000 life

(2) MY PAL JOE added Lasix and went a big mile to be second behind a potential stakes horse. He tends to offer decent value. (9) SPLASH BROTHER raced well in his 2021 debut and can certainly improve now. Will we see early speed this week? (7) JUSTASEC N also raced well in his first start of the year, especially considering it was his first since shipping over from Australia. Improvement seems likely. (4) POSEIDON SEELSTER was very game in victory in this class a couple of weeks ago and the second-place horse came back to post a monster 1:48 2/5 win.

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

(10) SINTRA is a legitimate Open horse when on his game and he is certainly shipping down sharp. The post isn't ideal but I'm certain McCarthy will leave enough early to get position. (9) ANA AFREET N is as game as they come and will certainly be firing out again. (7) SANDBETWEENMYTOES comes of a pair of sharp qualifiers but the Breeders crown winner could be raced patiently in his first try versus older foes.

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Race 11: Non-winners $7,600 (NW L3 $8,600) in last 5

(5) COVERED BRIDGE came up short last time while losing to a foe who can go some big miles. He stays in the same class and really should be ready for a big effort in his third start back from vacation. (4) MCMIKE drops down a level and really hasn't seen a good spot in quite some time. He could be an interesting value play. (2) THATSWHATISAID N and (1) DECISION DAY are also stepping down a class and either could menace if on their game, but neither has been great lately.

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

(9) REGAL SON has been racing reasonably well in this class and many of the horses who have been beaten him are now up in class. This is a great spot for the 10-year-old to shine. (4) ASHLEY LOCAZ N continues to drop down the class ladder and certainly merits a long look here. (5) UNLOADED N and (6) GO WEST GO FAST are both winless but either can get into the lower exotics.

Race 13: TrackMaster Rating 77 (NW 2L3 78.69) or less

(3) WATCHMENEIGHNEIGH has been doing well in the amateur ranks versus better company and might just offer some value here with the trainer electing to drive. While a step below the top catch-drivers, Hernandez has 230 wins and is a capable 10% guy. (9) CECIL CASANOVA looked good two starts back but caught a better group last time. I expect he'll be forwardly placed here. (1) ROYAL COURTIER has good speed, rail position and Allard. We could see him blast out. (7) RUFO needs some pace help but isn't completely out of this race despite his recent finishes.