Meadowlands

Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 5/21

Derick Giwner|May 19, 2022

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 52-16-8-10 / $83.40 (-$20.60)

BEST BETS: 4-3-1-0 / $12.80 (+4.80)

SPOT PLAYS: 3-1-0-0 / $3.60 (-$2.40)

BEST BET: ATLANTA (3rd)

SPOT PLAY: RUTHLESS HANOVER (9th)

Race 1: Winners 5-7 (NW L3 8) races life/NW 5 or $50,000 life draw inside - Pick 5

(6) I DID IT MYWAY blew me away with a sparkling qualifier on May 6 in which he set reasonable fractions and powered home completely on his own in 1:51 1/5. While he faces some older foes in his 3-year-old debut, I do expect he'll be put in play and the short field helps. (2) STONEBRIDGE REEF deserves some respect now after putting up a win following 11 months on the sidelines. (7) PEBBLE BEACH could turn out to be the best sophomore pacing colt of the year but this really isn't an ideal spot for his debut. Logic says he'll get a conservative steer and finish strong.

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Race 2: Non-winners 10 races or $150,000 life or $7,500 in 2022

(3) BETTORS DONTTELL certainly improved with Lasix added last time, or maybe it was the 56 1/5 half he set on the engine. It's arguable as to whether this field is tougher than the one he beat last week; narrow call to repeat. (5) ONE EIGHT HUNDRED passed some horses from an impossible spot in the Graduate on May 7. He gets a better post now and Lasix after bleeding last time; hmmm. Dunn sticks here!. (4) I'LL DRINK TO THAT has early speed and some ability but sometimes comes up a bit empty in the lane. (2) SOUTHWIND GENDRY should only be better in his second start of the year after a decent showing in the Graduate. That said, unless Miller is aggressive here I don't like the trip he projects to get.

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Race 3: Open Trot Handicap - Survivor 7

(7) ATLANTA being stuck outside and likely coming away at the back isn't ideal, but in the short field she only needs to be within four or five lengths of the leader at the head of the lane to blow past this inferior group late. (2) YANKS DUGOUT has been racing better off the pace lately and there is certainly early speed to allow her to settle early before coming on for second. (6) KENZIESKY HANOVER seems likely to head to the top but I don't see her defeating the top pick even if she steals soft fractions.

Race 4: $50,000-$75,000 Claiming Handicap

(8) DE LOS CIELOS DEO gets the top call by default here as he will likely head to the front and control the race. He may just have too much class for these, but I also wouldn't be shocked if one of these come up big and nip him at the wire. (7) DINA BOLT N has been racing in some tough $75K claimers at Yonkers and certainly could be firing to the front as well tonight. (3) MACHDAVID might have enough form to play with these if given a clean trip.

Race 5: $20,000-$30,000 Claiming Handicap

(5) WINDSONG JACK gets an interesting trainer change here to Quevedo and I wouldn't be shocked to see him motor down the road on a night that is expected to be very warm. When the weather heats up this track plays to speed even more. (6) COOL BLUES MAN never had a chance in his first start off the claim after chasing slow fractions from the back. This confirmed closer is a good compliment to the top pick since if he goes too fast this is the guy who will be gobbling them up late. (1) DAVIDS COMING HOME was claimed at Yonkers last week and he's done well here in the past. (4) RAPTORS FLIGHT N somehow went off at 21-1 last week when he should've been 6-1. He performs well in this class just about every week.

Race 6: Open Fillies and Mares Pace - $50K GTD Pick 4

(3) AMAZING DREAM N won but perhaps came up a bit short in her May 7 start after missing four weeks and only getting a 1:58 qualifier. She should be ready for something close to a peak performance now and seems likely to get the jump on (6) TEST OF FAITH. The latter was raced aggressively in the Graduate and almost got beaten. In this less important spot tonight let's look for an off-the-pace effort that may or may not come up a step or two short at the wire. (2) RACINE BELL will be firing to the front as usual and I'm certain she'll race well.

Race 7: Non-winners $14,100 (NW L3 $15,400) in last 5 or 4YO NW $1 in 2022/TM 89 or less

(5) STONE HANOVER is coming off a very sharp score and he definitely has the natural speed to handle the class hike. Tetrick jumps to #6 for DiDomenico as expected, which should improve the price slightly. (3) SHAKE THAT HOUSE finally got into the winner's circle in his fourth start of 2022. The question here is whether he can tap into his class or if he has lost a step. (6) JACK’S SHADOW was a victim of the pace scenario last time; trip threat. (1) I'M A BIG DEAL has been facing some killers in recent weeks. This field is far from weak but it should suit him better.

Race 8: $170,450 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial Trot - Pick 6

(1) ECURIE D DK closed out 2021 as the best older trotter in North America and deserves that respect coming into his 2022 debut. He was never asked in his lone qualifying win and Svanstedt is a master at having horses ready off the bench. This could be a good time to hop on the (2) BELLA BELLINI bandwagon as she is much better tracking horses and almost certainly will switch to those tactics against older boys. (7) LOVEDBYTHEMASSES has been the King of the Open class during the winter and into the spring. Now comes the real test as to whether he can go with the best in the division. I'd want at least 4-1 to try him. (9) CUATRO DE JULIO is the big question mark in the field. Will new driver Andrew McCarthy move him way up? Will they go hard coming off a break?

Race 9: Non-winners $20,000 (NW L3 $22K) in last 5 or 10 (NW L3 11) races life or 2 in 2022/TM 92 or less

(2) RUTHLESS HANOVER qualified back in fine order and lands in a very cozy spot courtesy of the AE condition. Anything close to his best gets the job done. (1) ANA AFREET N has been tackling some good ones in the Open ranks and should enjoy the class break. (6) DA DELIGHTFUL is clearly sharp but will need a career best likely to win here.

Race 10: Open Pace/TM 92.05 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) WORKIN ONA MYSTERY looked like the horse we always thought he would be in his last start when he blasted down the road and simply never stopped. If that horse shows up again they are all in trouble. (6) NICHOLAS BEACH chased home the top one last time and is the main threat again. (5) JACK'S LEGEND N has finished in the money in 66 of 93 lifetime starts, so leave him off your trifecta tickets at your own risk.

Race 11: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L3 $11,600) in last 5/TM 87 or less

(5) SONNY WEAVER N got caught in a very fast mile last week and now is one of a few dropping in class here. He's running out of excuses and should step up here. (2) ROCKIN ON VENUS did his best but couldn't close into a fast final quarter last Saturday. He's certainly in with a chance in start number three back from winter rest. (4) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER almost went down the road in his last try at this level.

Race 12: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5 or 6 races life/TM 84.5 (NW L/S 85.65) or less

(6) QUEEN OF SUCCESS looked awfully good in her qualifiers despite no wins and she is in a good spot to go to the front if McCarthy chooses. (7) FOX VALLEY EXPLOIT will certainly be leaving to her outside and her form is very good. (4) TREACHEROUS DRAGON would be the filly I'd like to own in this race. That said, I'd be shocked if she wasn't raced from off the pace and that means the trip has to work out for her to win at what could be low odds. (1) LAURIE LEE is certainly sharp and only needs a reasonable trip to have a big shot.

Race 13: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L3/5 78/78.5) or less

(8) HURRIKANE GEORGIE lands in a great spot tonight and really should have no trouble marching down the road on the engine. (1) BNGS EXPRESS and (2) GALACTIC GALLEON N were both shuffled to the back and finished well with no shot last week on a very sloppy track. The weather will be better (hopefully) for this race and they should be closer to contention. (10) BRONSONS DELIGHT is capable of winning but may have too far to come from post 10.