Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 9/10

FALL MEET STATS: 20-6-4-5 / $38.20 (-$1.80)

BEST BETS: 2-2-0-0 / $11.60 (+7.60)

SPOT PLAYS: 2-0-0-1 / $0.00 (-$4.00)

BEST BET: JL CRUZE (5th)

SPOT PLAY: ESPLOSIONE (12th)

Race 1: TrackMaster 74 (NW L3/5/7 74.5/75/75.92) or less/NW 2 races in 2022 with 12+ starts - Pick 5

When looking at a bottom-level field like this one I'm always trying to find what is different from last time. It is a subtle change that most will ignore but (3) PURPLE SKY switches from aggressive drivers to Troy Beyer and that may be just what the doctor ordered. If the trip works out he could light up the board. (5) JACKAMINO was just even in his first start since September and the driver change is substantial. (6) DANDY IDEA qualified fine after an unexplainable-on-paper mile where she lost by 69 lengths. I'm expecting a return to form.

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Race 2: Non-winners 2 -3 races or $32,500 life

(4) STREET SMARTS did some good things here earlier in the year and the return qualifier was solid enough to think he's ready to roll. (5) KEN’S WALNER gets a barn change and Lasix added to the equation. He could certainly awaken but may be overbet. (3) NINTEEN CRIMES went a big mile to be second last time but might be tackling slightly better foes in the top pair.

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Race 3: TrackMaster 74 (NW L3/5/7 74.5/75/75.92) or less/NW 2 races in 2022 with 12+ starts - Survivor 7

(10) LOVELY LADY MAY picked up some confidence down at Freehold and returns here in a great spot despite the poor starting post. Mare finds a field that seems to lack early speed which should allow her a clear path to a tuck or the top at nice odds. (2) SPECTACULAR SUNSET was just even in his first start for the new barn and also first start in four weeks. More can be expected now. (3) BEACH PASSAGE returns to the big track where he did good work at Vernon.

Race 4: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L3) in last 5/TM 76.5 or less/Opt. $12,500 Clm.

(6) IN LOU OF MONEY comes to town with a very impressive recent résumé from Monticello. It is also worth noting that he can handle a mile track as he owns a 1:49 4/5 record at The Red Mile. Her best should be more than good enough for a young driver that knows what he is doing. (2) UPTOWN LADY N drops down again but has burned plenty of my money in the past. It is hard to toss her or love her. (5) SO DELIGHTFUL was used early and paid the price on the drop to this condition last time. She's worth a second chance.

Race 5: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5 or TM 85.2 or less/NW $14,000L5 or TM 87.35 draw inside

(7) JL CRUZE gets the class drop he needs this week. While the "King" might not appear to be in form, a return to The Meadowlands should perk him up. (2) CRYSTL FASHION has missed some time but is a horse that has typically been light raced. He can be good off the bench. (1) NYLANDER is another horse on the card coming off an unexplainable performance that I expect will return to form.

Race 6: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5/TM 86.5 (NW L3 87) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(2) DA DELIGHTFUL gets a key class drop tonight and has one of the better drivers on the grounds tonight in the bike. Six-year-old should be handled aggressively with an eye on victory. (1) MAJOR FERNCO N has done everything right in two starts on these shores and gets a big test this week. (6) HICKFROMFRENCHLICK has a few starts under his belt now and is perhaps ready to show more; driver change too.

Race 7: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5 or 6 races life/TM 84.5 (NW L2/5 85.3/85.5) or less

(4) COUSIN MARY was done in by a slow pace last time and simply got out-sprinted. With a better setup she can win at a price. (1) GOLDEN QUEST N certainly looked good winning last week but is unlikely to get away with a 57 2/5 half this time. (9) APRIL AVA can fly off the wings of the gate and hang on for at least an exotic slot. (8) ALWAYS B FIRST has the ability to smoke these but also hasn't raced in well over a year. I'm inclined to watch a start unless she looks spectacular on the track.

Race 8: Non-winners $20,000 (NW 2L8 $24,700) in last 5 or 12 races life/TM92.7 or less - Pick 6

(5) BILLY CLYDE changed tactics versus better foes last time and the results weren't great, though he did battle hard late in the race to save fourth. He's now back at The Meadowlands where he was reeling off wins every week and should go back to his on-the-pace way. (2) NO LOU ZING has found his form in recent weeks and gets a nice test here while drawing a good post. (9) BETTORS DONTTELL has the early speed to gun to the front and get a piece of this race. (8) SOUTHWIND GENDRY is capable on his best but may be handicapped from being too far back to menace.

Race 9: Non-winners $14,000 (NW L3 $15,400) in last 5 or $75,000 life/TM 89.2 or less

(3) MR DS ROCK was clearly short last time after missing more than a month of action. Alexander trainee has won here before and lands a good post. (5) IMAGINARY LINE couldn't last on the rim after also coming back from missed time. Team Bongiorno charge should be right there. (7) ONE EIGHT HUNDRED moves from the Takter barn to Ron Burke, which is interesting since Takter owns this one. She is hoping the different training style will turn him around and it just might. (10) CAPTAIN BARBOSSA is another good horse getting an interesting trainer change but he'll probably need a start and the post doesn't help either.

Race 10: Non-winners $20,000 (NW L3 $22,000) in last 5 or 10 races (NW L3 12) life - $50K GTD Pick 4

I expected (1) SOUTHWIND TYRION to be a bit better when stepping up in company last time. Now he lands in a much softer spot and can set up nicely from just off the pace with a fair amount of early speed players signed on here. (6) STORM IS RAGING has raced well in just about every start this year and Bongiorno got along with him nicely a few starts back. (3) SCIROCCO ROB has proven himself here in this class before; very capable.

Race 11: TrackMaster 80 (NW L2/5 81.2/81.42) or less

(6) CHUCK THE CHEESE has worked his way out of the conditions at The Meadows and thus ships east. He lands in a good TM Rating spot since his times are slower and should have a legitimate chance. (4) TRASHYTONGUETALKER went way too fast on the engine and paid the price last time. With a more rated pace the results can be better. (2) ROCKS NOBLE ARTIST is as sharp as any horse in this field; needs trip.

Race 12: Non-winners $6,000 in last 5 or TM 79.5 or less/NW7500L5 (NW 2L5 $8,250) or TM 82 or less

(8) ESPLOSIONE picked up his game after shipping down from Canada and landing in Nifty's barn. This is a field he should handle. (9) SHINKANSEN could blast down the road if he brings his best effort but the road is tougher with the top pick likely leaving as well. (6) FIX-IT-UP won at this level last week and gets another go at it via the TM condition.

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Race 13: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L3 $5,500) in last 5/TM 79.5 (NW L5 80.5) or less

(7) LA ALWAYS AMARTINI gunned to the front but was shuffled out last time. It seems he's in better form than it appears on paper. (6) IDEATION HANOVER had no shot from post 10 last time; expect more this week. (9) LOOKATMYART ships in sharp from Yonkers and will be head from. (10) RABLE also comes off a win but might have too much early speed to her inside to menace. (1) SWEET ROCK DEO kept her act together last time; more this week?

Race 14: Non-winners $3,000 in last 5/TM 76.5 (NW L3/5 77/77.5) or less

(9) SUMATRA isn't the horse he once was in his younger days but he takes a big class drop here and should be put in play. (5) CASH MACHINE GIRL exits stakes competition and while she faces her elders, the pure speed is there. (6) HENDERSON SEELSTER is the best horse in the race if he behaves. (1) PETER'S EXPRESS gets an interesting trainer change.