Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 4/29

WINTER MEET STATS: 335-90-71-40 / $556.50 (-$113.50)

BEST BETS: 25-7-9-2 / $35.20 (-14.80)

SPOT PLAYS: 25-5-6-3 / $33.40 (-$18.60)

BEST BET: HEAVENISSOFARAWAY (4^th)

SPOT PLAY: ALL ABOUT THE HUNT (13^th)

Race 1: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club - Pick 5

(1) VAN DIESEL is a sharp horse going out for a good barn. His best mile wins. His 'B' effort still puts him in the competition. (7) TJ BLAST ships in for a trainer that has put up good numbers here and you have to like the fact that he has the early speed to be involved from the start. (4) MEET THE CREEPER is more of a trip-dependent horse but certainly a capable one if the pace gets hot.

[DRF HARNESS: Get Harness Eye PPs for this card]

Race 2: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3 $8,250) in last 5/NW $1 last 4 start

(1) WILL THE WIZARD A improved as expected but couldn't handle the classier De Los Cielos Deo last weekend. A repeat performance here would make him a major player. (4) ROCKIN THE ACES took too much air last time. While he hasn't been winning, this class is his comfort zone. (2) MADELINES BLK JACK is the lone class-dropper in the field and certainly could awaken.

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

Race 3: NJ Breeders Maturity 4YO Mare Pacing Final - Survivor 7

(4) TREACHEROUS DRAGON took the easy tuck and uncorked a sizzling 25 1/5 final quarter to no avail while chasing the rated (3) NIKI HILL. Both could legitimately be sharper with that start under their belts but I lean to the 'Dragon' in what will likely me a more aggressive try. (1) VALAR DOHAERIS looks like a lock for third.

Race 4: Non-winners $3,000 in last 5/TM 77.5 (NW L3/2L5 78/78.75) or less/Opt. $12,500 Clm.

(9) HEAVENISSOFARAWAY was at The Meadowlands earlier this year and picked up a win and a second while racing two classes higher than this one. The post and current form aren't ideal but I’m not sure that will matter. (1) SHEZAFREAKLIKEME showed early speed and was a bit weak when sent uncovered last time versus a softer group overall. I'm not ready to give up on her yet. (2) GOTTALOVEMYSHADOW has missed five weeks but is also proven at this level.

Race 5: Non-winners 2 (NW L3 3) races or $20,000 (NW L3 $30,000) life/Maidens draw inside

(2) IT’S MY SHOW has looked very good in his two qualifiers, sprinting home both weeks in 25 3/5. While he may be handled somewhat conservatively here, the inside post should keep him close enough to succeed. (6) CENTURY INSPECTOR paced in 1:52 at Mohawk last year. The return qualifier didn't reveal much but there could be more to him than meets the eye as a 4-year-old facing mostly younger. (5) FULL SUPPORT could handle the top one in an April 15 qualifier but does have a start in hand now.

Race 6: Non-winners $14,000 (NW L2 $15,400) in last 5/TM 88 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(3) BETTERINPINEHURST is a sharp horse who is coming off a win and won when last seen at this track. Four-year-old has a bit of a tactical edge over last-out winner (7) HEAVENS PIC due to his early speed. The latter fires home as fast as any horse in this field and just needs a reasonable trip to menace. (6) MON AMOUR has the early speed to head to the front and seems very likely to hit the ticket. (8) CHIPLOSIVE is one of five horses in the race coming off a win. Recent $60,500 online purchase goes for new connections now.

Race 7: $20,000-$30,000 Claiming Handicap

(10 BOILER MAKER returns to the Crissman-Bier barn where he came up with a win back on March 18. This guy has enough early speed to make the front from the bad post. (9) GOOD ROCKIN won at first asking for new connections and is certainly capable of repeating. (5) RAPTORS FLIGHT N drops in for a tag and gets a new driver. I wouldn't be shocked if he came with a big mile.

Race 8: Trackmaster 86.5 (NW L3/2L5 87/87.5) or less - Pick 6

(3) OAKWOOD VEGAS IR seems to keep getting better with every start and might just be able to handle what equates to a slight bump in class. (1) BLUE OCEAN and (2) IMAGINARY LINE are both sharp as well and either could win with a reasonable trip.

Race 9: Open 1 Trot

(5) IT’S ACADEMIC was raced conservatively but certainly showed he's ready to go with a 26 1/5 final quarter in his first start since November. Classy 6-year-old has a perfect post to leave or race from off the pace, which could be key in a field with lots of potential speed players. (4) DELAYED HANOVER just missed last time out and he should only get better with each start. (8) HILLEXOTIC has won back-to-back Opens at two different tracks. He'll certainly be heading to the front and could go a long way if others opt to leave him unattended.

Race 10: 4- & 5-year-old Open Pace - $50K GTD Pick 4

(5) LOU'S PEARLMAN closed very well to just miss in his first start of the year. Near millionaire appears ready for a strong 5-year-old campaign and it can begin tonight. (4) RED RIGHT HAND won impressively in his 2023 debut in sub 1:50 time. It's hard not to expect another top effort. (6) SOUTHWIND GENDRY was an obvious toss from post 9 last time. He moves inside in this shorter field and should be heading to the front.

Race 11: Non-winners $14,000 in last 4 or 8 races life

(6) WORKIN ONA MYSTERY seemed a bit short last time when he couldn’t keep up in a 28 2/5 third quarter, though he was steady in the stretch. He now has a couple of starts under his belt and if he’s the same horse he used to be, this is very much a winning spot. (1) STONEBRIDGE REEF isn't going to be on the win end of my ticket but he's always there near the wire and looks like an exotics must. (7) MIND HUNTER suffered his first defeat of the year in early March and immediately took some time off. If the same horse that showed up earlier this year is on the track, he's a player.

Race 12: Non-winners $12,500 (NW L3 $13,750) in last 5 or 7 races life/TM 85.5 (NW L3/2L5 86/86.5) or less

(6) SWEET TREASURE simply didn't have it last time but that doesn't mean she isn't still a fast and talented horse. The price should be right to stick with her. (7) JODY should only improve in her second start off the bench. Five-year-old is going to the front and may not look back. (8) MAX CONTRACT is the best horse in the race, but she is highly likely to race from off the pace, which means she'll need some luck to score.

[DRF HARNESS: Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter]

Race 13: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5 or $11,771 in last 6 or 4YO NW 5 races life

(4) ALL ABOUT THE HUNT went a very long mile last week, getting used to the top and then coming uncovered. Somehow he only lost by a length and the competition tonight is clearly softer. (3) TAM MAJOR A is sharp as they come and might just be able to handle this class switch. (8) BETTER TAKE IT drops back into the class where he scored his last victory.

Race 14: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW L3/2L5 84/84.54) or less

(8) CHIEF OF STAFF rolled down the road while setting a career-best mile last time. He steps up in company tonight but if he can repeat that performance it won't matter. (5) I’M BURLINGTON N has gone some interesting trips since the claim. Those have to get better, right? (3) BANK SEA is super-sharp right now and hard to leave off your exotic tickets at least. (6) LADYFORD DOLLAR GB is another who has been racing well and only needs a decent trip to have a shot.