Meadowlands

Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 5/7

Derick Giwner|May 05, 2022

FINAL WINTER MEET STATS: 388-93-68-61 / $560.20 (-$215.80)

BEST BETS: 29-16-5-2 / $57.60 (-.40)

SPOT PLAYS: 29-8-8-2 / $60.00 (+$2.00)

BEST BET: SONOFAMISTERY (7th)

SPOT PLAY: UPTOWN LADY N (2nd)

Race 1: Non-winners $14,000 (NW L3 $15,400) in last 5/TM 89 or less - Pick 5

(1) DA DELIGHTFUL returns to The Meadowlands at a reduced level and is one of many in here that could legitimately win. His form is good, he adds Tetrick and the inside post should keep him close enough to the pace. (3) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER was used too hard last time and paid the price but he's the one horse that seems likely to head to the front and he could get away softer this time. (5) CASUAL COOL drops back down to the level of his last win. (2) DE LOS CIELOS DEO is clearly not as sharp as he was earlier in the year but is still capable with the right trip.

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Race 2: Non-winners $7,500 (NW 2L7 $9,000) in last 5/TM 82 (NW L3 82.7) or less

(5) UPTOWN LADY N takes a meaningful drop in class and while she is somewhat pace dependent as a closer, there seems to be ample early speed signed on and she is capable of winning first-over. (7) FILLY and (4) BEACH MOMENT are two more class-droppers who missed by just a head in their last appearance in this condition.

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Race 3: Open/NW $20,000 in last 5 draw inside - Survivor 7

(6) LOVEDBYTHEMASSES has proven to be a killer this year and seems highly likely to take one more picture before he goes against the divisional elite in the Cutler Memorial. (4) HILLEXOTIC stole a race two back versus the top pick and raced reasonably well in defeat last time. Lasix is added here and perhaps he'll be even better. (3) DEWEY ARNOLD brings a five-race winning streak to The Meadowlands and faces by far the tough test of his career. Nice to see Dunn in the bike.

Race 4: $20,000-$25,000 Claiming Handicap

(5) COOL BLUES MAN moves in a couple of slots on the gate which will really help him stay closer as that was certainly the reason for him only being second last time. There is enough early speed signed on to set him up. (6) RAPTORS FLIGHT N seems likely to show some early zip here and that should put him in the pocket behind (8) WINDSONG JACK with a big shot to win. The latter needs to keep his form for new connections off the claim.

Race 5: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3 $8,250) in last 5/TM 83.80 or less

(7) DECISION DAY drops back down to the level of his last victory and we all know how comfortable he is in this condition. (3) TYGA HANOVER woke up with a much better performance on the venue change and a smoother trip could be all he needs. (2) STONEDUST has been going some long trips lately and the move inside can only help his cause with that issue. (4) THE DARK SHADOW just missed his lifetime mark in his first start for this barn. He has some class so handling this double-jump in company seems possible.

Race 6: Graduate 4YO Open Pace - $50,000 GTD Pick 4

(7) BETTORS DONTTELL is 100% leaving the gate here and should be able to earn valuable position, perhaps behind likely heavy favorite (9) CHARLIE MAY, who was absolutely awesome last week in his 2022 debut. All things being equal the latter is the better horse, but he'll be much shorter odds, has two speed horses to his inside and I'm not sure we've seen the best of Bettors Donttell yet. (1) CARBINE got in gear late and was absolutely airborne in deep stretch. Is he this good? We'll find out tonight.

Race 7: Graduate 4YO Open Trot

(6) SONOFAMISTERY hasn't displayed any signs of the issues which plagued his 3-year-old campaign while beating up on lesser in the NJ Maturity. Those starts should have him tight and ready to drop some time in a race where all of his main competition is coming off qualifiers. (2) CUATRO DE JULIO had a strong year in terms of earnings in 2021 but perhaps underperformed overall. While his comeback qualifier was a bit slow, that doesn't worry me with this guy. (5) DELAYED HANOVER, (9) RATTLE MY CAGE and (4) AHUNDREDDOLLARBILL all qualified back sharply and could certainly score here if ready to fire off the bench.

Race 8: Graduate 4YO Open Pace - Pick 6

(6) ABUCKABETT HANOVER turned in a pair of qualifiers I really liked. He wasn't used at all and finished up very willingly. The question looms here whether he'll be put in play but I'll roll the dice as long as he is 3-1 or higher. (4) LOU’S PEARLMAN also qualified well and this barn tends to send them to the track ready to rock; using. (3) CHASE H HANOVER has a conditioning edge here after competing in the Borgata series and the switch to the big track may just be good news. (10) ROCKYROAD HANOVER has the ability to win but the post could prove too much to overcome.

Race 9: Fillies & Mares Open Pace

(6) RACINE BELL raced her eyeballs out in defeat last time in the Matchmaker at Yonkers. With some of the others in here that scare me most coming off qualifiers, I'll take this gal at the top of her game knowing she'll be on the lead or in the pocket. (9) TEST OF FAITH did nothing wrong in her qualifier and while I don't believe she'll be gunning to the front, Miller will likely leave a bit for position. Keep in mind that this race really doesn't mean much in the overall scheme of things for her. (5) KEEP ROCKIN A is better suited to the big track since her game is more off-the-pace. She could be a factor at a price. (7) BLUE DIAMOND EYES is as fast as any in here and I wouldn't be shocked if she fired off the gate.

Race 10: Open Pace - $50K GTD Pick 4

(3) IGNATIUS A tracked and pounced last week versus some good foes. This is definitely a step up but one he can handle. (4) NICHOLAS BEACH comes off a stunning mile on paper, though I thought he was getting a bit tired at the end of the mile. If the top one is on his back, he might not be able to hold him off. (5) WORKIN ONA MYSTERY came home in 25 1/5 last time with no chance. Given the right circumstances he might have a shot.

Race 11: Non-winners $20,000 (NW L3 $22,050) in last 5 or 10 races life/TM 92 or less

(9) VETTEL N gets into this race on an AE condition which basically allows any horse who wants to enter to draw outside. The post isn't ideal, but this guy is stuck in the upper classes no matter what he does tonight so a very aggressive try seems likely. (8) LEON DAVID is oh so sharp now and just maybe he blasts again and gets another big piece at a price. (4) KOMODO BEACH returns from a break and that probably means a conservative steer. That could play to his favor if the pace is very hot with the top two forced into blazing fractions to clear.

Race 12: Non-winners $10,000 (NW L3 $12,531) in last 5/TM 87 (NW L3 87.5) or less

I expected (1) AMERICAN MERCURY to need the start last week and he certainly did. We should see much more in his second start back since December against a field without a true standout. (2) LETS ROLL was driven like a short horse last time. Miller sticks another start so I will as well. This guy is capable when feeling good. (6) MAYHEM HANOVER gets a new set of hands at the controls.

Race 13: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L3 $3,300) in last 5/TM 76.5 or less

(5) BETABCOOL N has been stuck in some bad spots and her form is not awful despite poor finish positions. In a field with no standout, and for a barn that can pop a winner at a price, I'll take a shot. (3) SO DELIGHTFUL has speed and form. She looms as the one to beat. (8) SOCIETY JILL goes for three straight but does draw outside and face a slightly better group. (6) J ROCKIN B is down in class and conceivably could awaken.