Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 9/12

MEET STATS: 13-5-2-2 / $39.20 (+$13.20)
BEST BETS: 1-1-0-0 / $2.80 (+$0.80)
BEST BET: CAPTAIN MULZAC (1st)
SPOT PLAY: ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR (8th)

Race 1: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5TM Rating 80.1 or less - Pick 5

(7) CAPTAIN MULZAC dropped in class again last week and finally woke up with a decent post. He gets more class relief here and really should perk up. (9) CENTURY CHURCHILL tends to get brave and aggressive when down in class; outside post the only issue. (5) ABERDEEN HANOVER has early speed but needs to find that knock stretch punch. (1) SALTY ROBYN N really hasn't had much opportunity here over the last two months. Horse has ability if ready.

Race 2: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5/TM Rating 83 or less

(5) ITALIAN DELIGHT N went a big mile from an outside post versus slightly better last time. If placed on the engine again, he should have a nice tactical edge. (6) BRANDON HANOVER has been racing well week after week against some sharp claimers at Pocono. (9) DE LOS CIELOS DEO came charging hard last week after a ground-saving trip. Can Miller get him into contention or will he have to pass the field?

Race 3: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5/TM Rating 80.1 or less - Pick 6

(4) WORLD ON EDGE arrives in town for trainer Jeff Cullipher and has put up some big miles here in the past. Perhaps the change of scenery will wake him up. (8) CAMPORA N & (7) A MAJOR OMEN are both down in class and either could be a player. (9) GRIFFON HANOVER raced well on the trainer change and is certainly a fit in this class on his best.

Race 4: Non-winners 2/3 races or $25,000/$30,000 life

(4) SUMTHINBOUTIM took four weeks off and came back with a better effort. He could be ready to show more now. (3) SOMBODYITREASURE seems to have some ability. Post eight at Pocono did him in last time but I would've liked to have seen a better final quarter than 30 1/5; mixed feelings but using. (1) ROLL WITH DOM was just even after missing a few weeks in his first start with Lasix. Sometimes it takes a start for the medication to really help. (9) THE MIGHTY MARNER is a capable dead closer who will have lots of horses to pass.

Race 5: $12,500/$15,000 Clm Hcp

(4) TORRID BROMAC N lost all chance with a pokey start last time. This guy has some early speed in a field that seems to lack that quality. (9) LYONS IMAGE rolled down the road last week but the path to the top is more difficult from post 9. (8) IMAGEOFAROCKER rallied to be a good second behind #9 last time. (6) MR MCDREAMY wasn't bad a week ago and he gets the best post he has seen in a while.

Race 6: Non-winners 4/5 races or $50,000 life - Pick 4

(6) FLYINGEVENBETTOR N scored at first asking for connections that don't typically bring horses over from Down Under. All signs point to this one being good. (3) MISTER REBBILY A has plenty of form and will try to see how that transfers to the big track. (9) ACTOR HANOVER & (10) STONE HANOVER are both in good form and have the outside speed needed to make some noise. (7) REPEAL OR REPLACE is certainly fast enough if he behaves.

Race 7: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5/TM Rating 83 or less

(4) OCEAN COLONY comes off a nice confidence-building win at Pocono and these are the spots at The Meadowlands were he figures to shine. (5) IN ROCK WE TRUST & (6) THE BETTORMACK N have both been racing well in recent weeks and if the top one is off his game, they can be factors.

Race 8: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5/TM Rating 86 or less/Opt $30,000 Clm

(4) ISLANDSPECIALMAJOR is already proven fast and he gets an interesting trainer change here. Sharp qualifier says he is ready. (6) LOVE THE BLUES N was done in by a tough post last week. Down Under import remains sharp. (1) FRANCO TOTEM N is a capable horse that has been throwing in breaks lately; could win or break.

Race 9: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5/Non-winners 8 races or $100,000 life - Pick 5

(6) WES DELIGHT is a talented horse that got in too tough in his return from covidcation. With that start under his belt, he can be a big factor, perhaps at a decent price. (2) FREEDOM WARRIOR & (1) J M MANDAMIN have both won two straight and won't go down without a fight. (3) ANA AFREET N has won 50% of his career races. He's a good trip away from an upset chance.

Race 10: Non-winners $20,000 in last 5/TM Rating 91 or less/NW 1 race in 2020 - Pick 4

(1) COVERED BRIDGE wasn't quite ready for the Canadian Pacing Derby off just a 1:58 qualifier after a two-month break. One would think he'll be much sharper this week. (3) BLOOD LINE couldn’t be in much better form but I like him much better underneath moving to the big track. (2) DONTTELLMEAGAIN always disappoints me but that doesn't mean there isn't talent within.

Race 11: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5/Opt $20,000 Clm

(7) SEEING EYE SINGLE returns to the Big M at a reduced level and Burke trainee seems likely to be gunning to the front despite an apparent lack of early speed in his recent PP lines. (5) GIVENUPDREAMING was in this class here a month ago and finished a solid second. He picks up an aggressive driver tonight. (1) WHITTAKER N is a very capable horse if on his game and the inside post should help keep him closer early.

Race 12: Non-winners $4,500 in last 5/TM Rating 80.1 or less

(5) ALL IT TAKES has been pretty bad lately, but class drops can often be the medicine that cures poor form. Notice his last start at this level resulted in a win. (7) MACHPAPERSCISSORS comes to town off an open-lengths score and might have turned the corner for a good barn. Notice he won on the big track last year at Mohawk. (2) FOO FIGHTER N has been tiring on the front; new tactics?

Race 13: $10,000 Claiming

(4) WESTERN REDHOT was actually much better last week after consecutive efforts where he finished poorly. He finally draws a good post this week and drops in claiming price. Don't be shocked if he awakens. (1) JUNIOR’S DEW has early speed and comes off a win in this class; logical chalk. (9) ALWAYS A FORCE was a decent second behind #1 last Saturday; outside post hurts. (5) IOWA NEIGHTIVE lured Miller off #1 for a barn that had a good night a week ago here.