Meadowlands Analysis: Thursday, Feb. 16
(MEET STATS: 54 - 193 / $471.60)
Best Bet: Kentucky Rebel (5th)
Spot Play: Scotian Laddie (7th)
Race 1
There is a $27k carryover in the Pick 5 tonight. Check out my blog on Thursday for an in-depth look at my ticket.
(9) COLONEL MOFFITT ships down from Woodbine off a much improved effort. I give him the slight edge in a pretty evenly matched group. (2) DOUBLE IT UP double drops tonight to enter this series. He is supposed to show more at the $10k level. (5) MARKET FORCE raced very well in his first try for Jason Green. (8) DISCO DRAGON has plenty of strong $10k lines at Yonkers.
Race 2
(4) NOT AFRAID looks like the one to beat in the series. Gelding’s first start off the bench was solid. (2) KINGSTONE has improved with hobbles. (1) TROUBLE is another who returned with a nice effort; needs to be faster.
Race 3
(6) TYREE made a failed brush attempt last time and now drops back into an easier spot. He sprinted home in his two prior attempts here. (3) JK KINAHURRA perked up nicely for the Miller barn. (2) ARTIE BACARDI was an easy winner for $10k at Dover two starts back.
Race 4
(5) WHITE RUSSIAN comes down from Canada and Burgess sends him into the Alagna barn for this series. Notice the Champlain line, so the connections obviously liked him a bit. I'll give him the narrow call. (6) CONNIE LAUXMONT has found himself lately. (2) MANS TREASURE added hobbles and stayed trotting. Perhaps the new equipment solved his issues.
Race 5
(5) KENTUCKY REBEL comes in from Dover with a four race win streak to his credit. It is hard not to give him top billing. (9) ROCKIN GLASS moves back in against mostly claimers and should perk back up. (3) HOT COWBOY gets a better post and a new pilot.
Race 6
(9) OSCAR OSCAR looked darn good in his debut for Team Miller. I’ll stay here despite the outside post. (5) KEHMBUSTION arrives for Burke in fine form. (6) SGT CHARLIE has been racing pretty well at Dover but wins haven’t come easily for him. (8) BLADE RUNNER was sent south by Gillis for this series. I’m assuming he didn’t send this guy here for the warmer weather.
Race 7
(5) SCOTIAN LADDIE comes down for Rene Allard and qualified well. Check out those final quarters. (3) BERRY BERRY FAST lit up the board on Saturday. (8) TWINSCAPE was a rare low-level claim by Burke, but I’m sure it was with sights set on this series. So, while he looks iffy on paper, I wouldn’t be shocked if she picked up his game.
Race 8
(2) ALASTAR HANOVER went a huge mile off the claim before aiming too high last time. This guy looks like a 4-5 shot to me. (4) TAYLOR C comes all the way from Windsor (around Michigan) for this series; main danger. (6) GOLD LIKE U should fit well for a board spot.
Race 9
I struggled with selecting (1) LAGUNA BEACH on top, but he simply appears to be too sharp to select against. (5) WHAT WENT WRONG does his best work when closer to the engine and had no shot chasing a slow clip last time. (3) JOANS BAD BOY finally gets a decent post.
Race 10
(5) LIES LIES LIES has been rounding into form lately. He came home fast last time. (7) FLOAT BLUE CHIP was dropped to this level a few weeks back to gain eligibility to this series; big player. (9) MATTADOR D has been racing well. (11) URBINO HANOVER double drops; use.