Meadowlands

Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 5/28

Derick Giwner|May 26, 2022

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 78-25-14-13 / $130.10 (-$25.90)

BEST BETS: 6-4-1-1 / $14.90 (+2.90)

SPOT PLAYS: 5-1-1-1 / $3.60 (-$6.40)

BEST BET: SOMEBADDUDE (3rd)

SPOT PLAY: IT'S ACADEMIC (8th)

Race 1: $20,000-$30,000 Claiming Handicap - Pick 5

(4) COOL BLUES MAN is coming off a lifetime best in his second start for this barn and in a short field there is no reason why he can't make the same power move to victory. (2) RAPTORS FLIGHT N seems likely to head to the front and at worst find himself in the pocket. He's steady as can be in this class. (7) MINDTRIP has transformed from a speedball to a closer and that means despite his form he's at the mercy of others.

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Race 2: Non-winners $3,000 in last 5

(5) TYGA HANOVER doesn't take a huge class drop but it should be enough to get this guy back to the winner's circle versus a camera-shy bunch. (4) ROCK THE NITE was awful in his first start for this barn, but he adds Gingras and he certainly has back class. (7) SOHO CHELSEA A returns here for the first time since November and his last two starts on this oval at a similar level resulted in a win and a second.

Race 3: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L3 $5,500) in last 5 - Survivor 7

(2) SOMEBADDUDE had no shot last time from post 8 at Freehold and was up against it versus much better in his prior outings. If he's got a big mile in the tank this year we'll see it tonight. (6) STONEDUST came up second best again. He's got a shot to win but I'd want a decent price. (3) JK WILDFIRE gets mega class relief but wasn't exactly setting the world on fire at Harrington prior to that; mixed feelings.

Race 4: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5 or 7 (NW L2 8) races life/4YO, NW $1 in 2022

(2) AHUNDREDDOLLARBILL looked sharp in his qualifiers but clearly needed the race last time to get up to speed. I'm confident that he'll step up his game here. (7) SONOFAMISTERY bested the top pick with a Graduate win last time. That said, I expect a more conservative steer with little on the line tonight. (3) VENERATE was super in his most recent qualifier but that was a stress-free raced were he controlled the tempo. I need to see more before believing.

Race 5: Non-winners 2 (NW L3 3) races or $22,500 life/Maidens draw inside

(5) THERESNOLIMIT S certainly qualified back in good order. It's hard to say if he'll show speed tonight, but either way this post provides options from on or off the pace. Trainer Marcus Melander usually sends them out ready and when Mattias is in the bike the price is usually better. (10) CHULO just missed on the engine last week and should be firing out again for another shot. (8) KEN’S WALNER could certainly improve in his second start back from winter/spring vacation. (6) GIGONDAS chased Venerate in his last qualifier and that should have him tight. BUT, I see no way that he'll be handled aggressively so if you like him the trip has to work out.

Race 6: Winners over $10,500 in last 5 or $50,000 life Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4

(4) SCARLET HANOVER showed a bit of life in her most recent effort and I'm willing to take a shot that she's ready to awaken. (6) FOX VALLEY EXPLOIT has been a cash machine in 2022. She's fast off the gate and should be sitting in great position. (7) HOT MESS EXPRESS would crush this field at her best, but we haven't seen the same horse from last year in limited on-track appearances.

Race 7: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L3 $12,180) in last 5/TM 85 or less

(1) PLUMB has some proving to do on this track, but she gave a good account of herself last time and now she can stay closer to the pace from the inside draw. (3) TIMESTORM switched trainers and tracks last week and the result was a sharp score; why not again? (6) CELEBRATE WITH ME will certainly draw plenty of attention as a class-dropper for Gingras/Burke, but does she really look any faster than the rest of these? (9) MOVEOUTOFMYWAY K almost won on the engine last time and I'd expect a similar attempt from post 9 here.

Race 8: Winners Over/Open Trot - Pick 6

(5) IT'S ACADEMIC wasn't quite up to a world record mile in his first start of the year. The good thing about him is you know he'll be leaving the gate and there's a big chance he won't look back. (4) KENZIESKY HANOVER should also show some speed moving to the inside of the gate and a pocket spot behind the top pick seems likely. (7) NEXT LEVEL STUFF has gone wire to wire in both starts this year, but having missed more than three weeks and with other speed to her inside, I can see a more patient trip coming here.

Race 9: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5/TM 87 (NW L3/2L7 87.75/88.25) or less

(6) TOWN GOSSIP hasn't been done any favors lately from outside posts at Pocono as he tries to acclimate to life as an older horse. He lands in a decent spot this week and I have a feeling we might see some early speed. (5) FIKA TIME seems like a lock to gun to the front. He really had no chance after chasing a slow pace most recently and finishing in 26 seconds. Let's see how good he is tonight. (9) I'M A BIG DEAL drops for the second straight start and despite the outside post a wake-up is certainly possible. (2) BETTER TAKE IT can't buy a win but is certainly fast enough to go with these and get a nice piece.

Race 10: Non-winners $20,000 in last 5 or 10 (NW L3 11) races life/TM 92.21 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

A quick look at (3) RUTHLESS HANOVER's first start of the year perhaps makes you think it was disappointing, but he did pick up time off his qualifier and just got unlucky to catch some keyed-up foes. He’s the best horse in this race when right and I'll stick with him. (6) CARBINE has displayed good ability in two starts as a 4-year-old and he's certainly dangerous. (1) GRAND CAYMAN and (2) LEON DAVID both have decent form and inside speed. Either one could get lucky if the top two both elect to get conservative.

Race 11: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,250) in last 5/TM 83 (NW L3/5 83.5/84) or less

None of these jump off the page for me but I guess we'll go with (3) UCANTTOUCHTHIS on the condition change. The quality of the competition here is certainly lower and Gingras is sure to put him in play. (6) MONTEFALCO N steps up from time to time when he lands in a good spot. (8) DECISION DAY is feeling good now and if Callahan gets him into the race he can certainly win.

Race 12: Non-winners $14,000 (NW L3 $15,400) in last 5/TM 89 or less

This race is very much wide-open and we'll take a shot that (3) SHAKE THAT HOUSE is ready to fire a big race. He raced well for third last time in a fast mile after missing three weeks of action and should be sitting close to the action here. (4) DE LOS CIELOS DEO found a field he was supposed to beat last time and he did just that. Classy gelding can certainly repeat with that confidence builder. (1) FABRIZIO N is up in class but sharp enough to upset with the right trip. (8) ANA AFREET N drops down but draws poorly. Will he wake up tonight? I have no clue.

Race 13: TrackMaster 77.5 (NW L3/5 78.25/78.5) or less

(4) ATOMIC BLAST N went a huge mile to be second behind (5) HURRIKANE GEORGIE last week. The price should remain decent with Jack Pelling driving, so I'll hope that effort was a sign of even more to come. The latter has gone down the road in consecutive starts and remains at the same level as last time. (1) BRONSONS DELIGHT finally draws well; contender. (10) PRINCE ASTON was part of the pace and had nothing left late most recently. He could get into the lower exotics at a price.