Meadowlands: Analysis for Thursday 12/9

MEET STATS: 225-78-38-35 / $341.40 (-$108.60)

BEST BETS: 18-11-0-2 / $32.00 (-4.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 18-3-2-6 / $16.20 (-$19.80)

BEST BET: TRUTH AND LIBERTY (1st)

SPOT PLAY: TRIXIE DUST (4th)

Race 1: Non-winners $4,000-$6,000 in last 5/Opt. $12,500 Clm. - Pick 5

(3) TRUTH AND LIBERTY was used hard last week and weakened some as expected. Any smoother journey can find her in the winner's circle. (7) WATCH MY LUCK moves in a couple of posts and hopefully will be put in play this week. (1) IN AND OUT AGAIN comes in from Dover off a good mile and should be a fit with this group.

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Race 2: Toys For Tots for 2YO C&G Pacers - Survivor 7

(6) KEYSTONE CATALYST flashed good speed last time at Philly in his first start since August. Three-year-old should be firing again here and likely be tighter with the start under his belt. (1) HURRIKANE JONNYBOY looked awesome blowing by the field last time, but he was perfectly set up by a contested early pace. I'm not sure he is worth the odds-on price you'll have to accept. (2) WHAT ABOUT BOB got an interesting tour of the track after leaving last week. A smoother trip is certainly assured.

Race 3: TrackMaster Rating 74.5 (NW 2 of L375.56) or less

(8) STATESMAN N is perhaps not quite as sharp as he was earlier in the year but it is never a good idea to count this 14-year-old out. Veteran can fire out or take some air versus this group and still be right there at the wire. (2) BIG SWEEP OSBORNE should be able to get the lead in a jiffy and really doesn't face much to run him down. (3) ROCKIN PANDA wasn't bad last weekend and can show more in his second start since May.

[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!]

Race 4: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L3 $2,800) in last 5/TM 74 or less - Pick 6

Saratoga shippers haven't been killing it here but Alek Chartrand has done well in his past appearances. (3) TRIXIE DUST should be ready for a peak performance after a couple of starts back from vacation and very well could be put on the engine this week. (7) SCIROCCO PATRICK has done reasonably well in the amateur ranks and should do similarly for Andy Miller. (9) INXS was facing a much higher class of horses at Saratoga than the top pick when he was there in July; post hurts. (5) WARRAWEE WELCOME came up short in her first start for Burke after missing four weeks; more now?

Race 5: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5/TM 74.2 or less

(3) STREAK THE LAWN took a shot last time and stopped badly. New driver and class drop tonight will make a huge difference. (2) FEAR MY SHADOW will be firing off the gate and her recent races are strong, including a second here in this class last time. (5) THANEEYA has had a pretty good year and adds an aggressive driver.

Race 6: Toys For Tots for 2YO C&G Pacers - $25K GTD Pick 4

(7) SNOOPY SNOOP fired hard off the gate to make the lead easily but yielded his way into a shuffle and lacked a big late kick when clear. In a smaller field this week he could make the front and sit a much better trip. (3) I DUNNO put in a decent mile from a tough post last time. (5) TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK gets a nice driver change here.

Race 7: Toys For Tots for 2YO Filly Trotters

(6) ILLUSIONAL was rightfully raced conservatively in his first start with hobbles added off a string of breaks. He can definitely move forward off that mile and should have plenty of pace to chase. (4) SAN CRISTOBAL improved in his first start for Team Miller. (7) JULA MAGICIAN just missed in this company last time. (1) UNMISTAKEABLE raced well a few starts back when McCarthy drove.

Race 8: Toys For Tots for 2YO Filly Pacers

(2) THAT'SMYTYPE has won close and off the pace in her brief career and looked good doing it for a new trainer on the scene. Not knowing where her bottom is, she seems worth a shot here at odds of 3-1 or higher. (3) TONY'S MOM is even more of an unknown than #2 in that she has just one qualifier and was chasing far superior foes. I'm going to give her a serious look in the post parade. (7) HEARTBREAK HOTEL looked good winning off a perfect trip last time but might not be worth the much lower odds coming this week. (5) SUPERBLY also raced well while second behind #7 a week ago.

Race 9: Bring On 2022 for 3&4YO Pacers

This race brings in horses from multiple tracks who have been racing in many different conditions. It really is a crapshoot as to which horses will step up on the big track. (4) HOPNROLL HEAVEN comes off a win, has previous big track experience and drops in for the cheapest tag of his career. Notice that his last two races here were against better foes. (2) NEEDLESS TO SAY has been sharp of late and really can't be faulted for tiring last time after a 56-and-change half at Freehold. (9) FRONTIER ROLLO has the early speed to overcome the outside post and was game in defeat here last week. (7) MANHOLMES gets a taste of the big track for the first time in his career. Will he like it?