Meadowlands: Analysis for Thursday 12/2

MEET STATS: 191-72-33-28 / $308.80 (-$73.20)

BEST BETS: 15-10-0-2 / $28.80 (-1.20)

SPOT PLAYS: 15-2-2-5 / $7.40 (-$22.60)

BEST BET: ODDS ON GAMMA (2nd)

SPOT PLAY: CABOWABOCUTTIE (6th)

Race 1: Non-winners $4,000 (NW L3 $4,600) in last 5 - Pick 5

(3) CHIEF JUSTICE gets a key switch from an amateur driver to Ginsburg. Recent times seem slow but don't hold that against him. (6) MEADOWBRANCH RICKY improved on the switch to the big track and might show early speed in this spot. (2) TOP FLIGHT ANGEL is dropping down but hasn't been very good. Taking a short price seems hard to swallow. (5) CROSSFIT MOUSE was in an impossible spot on Saturday; fits here.

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Race 2: Toys For Tots Pace - Non-winners 2 races for 2-3YO Fillies - Survivor 7

(6) ODDS ON GAMMA wasn't quite ready to handle a borderline stakes foe in her first qualifier but picked up her game last time around with a strong effort where she made a powerful move and was basically wrapped up late. While she could be handled conservatively tonight, the short field means she'll be in play. (2) BUMP IN THE ROAD should be close to the action and has decent form, but she’s 1-for-15 lifetime. (1) HEARTBREAK HOTEL returns from a few months on the shelf. She's the one to beat if ready.

Race 3: Toys For Tots Trot - Non-winners 2 races for 2-3YO

(2) ILLUSIONAL returns to the States under Nifty’s watchful eye and hobbles go on. If the equipment can keep this nicely-bred son of Muscle Hill trotting, he's fast enough to win. (7) JULA MAGICIAN is clearly the fastest horse so far on paper, but he might have some company when he tries to leave away from the gate. (6) UNMISTAKABLE has a win and two seconds in her last three starts for a barn that has been hot lately.

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Race 4: TrackMaster Rating 74.5 (NW 2 of L3 75.1) or less - $20,096 Pick 6 Carryover

In a field that seems to lack a ton of early speed, (2) DEERFIELD BEACH should be able to sit close to the action. Seven-year-old is far from reliable but he does own the two fastest miles any horse in this race has gone the last two years. (6) BIG SWEEP OSBORNE picks up an aggressive driver in Miller and might just elect to fire off the gate. (8) BEANTOWN SPORTY skipped briefly on the final turn last time and rallied nicely for second. He's a player, even from the bad post, if he can mind his manners.

Race 5: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 or F&M $2,900) in last 5/AE: 14YOs or TM 71 or less

(6) MUSCLE JACK is a speedy son of Muscle Mass who ships south for a new barn. The time off is a concern, but the presence of #4 in the field should ensure decent value. (5) SPECTRE was pretty good in his qualifier as he chased some better foes. Veteran can play in this group and should be in the mix for a hungry young driver. (9) MARVELOUSTRIX and (8) KATKIN AND COKE are both capable horses that will have to find smooth sailing from outside posts. (4) WARRAWEE WELCOME will take all of the action on the switch to the Burke barn, but it is worth noting that Burke bought this horse on Sept. 23, so she is not a new acquisition.

Race 6: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 $2,750) in last 5 - $25K GTD Pick 4

The fact that (1) CABOWABOCUTTIE is the top pick despite having no wins in 41 starts the last two years speaks volumes about this field. This mare hails from a cagey barn and raced reasonably well in her return from a break in action. When last here in March she was a first-up third in this class. (6) ALKIPPE returns to the big track and figures to find early speed, just like she did finishing third here back in April. (5) IN THE NIGHT comes off a couple of nice efforts at Dover. (3) FEAR MY SHADOW has the early speed to make the front and she could stumble into a good trip.

Race 7: Non-winners $4,000 (NW L3 $5,000) in last 5 or in 2021/TM 78 or less/Opt. $12,500 Clm.

(6) TRUTH AND LIBERTY isn't the horse she once was but she is still solid and has loads of back class to tap into in this lower conditioned race. (2) LILY GRACE, (3) ANNE BONNEY N and (4) BE BEST all drop in class and any of the trio could step up in this field.

Race 8: $7,500-$10,000 Claiming Handicap

(2) ROCKIN RAMBARAN may not be a "lock" on paper but he's the most obvious single in this Pick 6 carryover sequence. Veteran comes off a nice win for a hot barn and should be in prime position to win with other contenders drawn outside due to claiming price. (7) LITTLE POWER was going to post a huge upset last time when he lost his action as he was taking over the lead. (6) IN ROCK WE TRUST has raced well in two of three starts since the claim.

Race 9: Toys For Tots Pace - 2-3YO C&G

(4) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK has a string of decent efforts at Philly to his credit and really doesn't face any killers here. Perhaps the stretch out on the big track will get him to new heights. (6) ICEY SHADOW came up with a big mile in his first try for this barn, but notice he sat a good trip behind very fast fractions that day at Plainridge. (8) SNOOPY SNOOP also comes off a nice win. Lightly-raced 3-year-old fits nicely with this group. (7) HURRIKANE JONNYBOY makes his debut off a trio of qualifiers but certainly hung in his last one.