Meadowlands Analysis: Thursday, Jan. 19
(MEET STATS: 13 - 58 / $163.20)
Race 1
CROWN TIME MCJESS jumped as the odds-on favorite last time. Pierce returns to the bike now and he knows him; another shot. PSYCHED chased a solid winner last week. FORCEFUL ACTION took a step forward in his first start since June. Don't be shocked if he shows more again.
Race 2
CATHYS PRINCESS (SPOT PLAY) was used up early and packed it in late in her most recent. That was her first start since 10-24-11. Clearly she could have more in the tank now, especially with a smoother trip. IN NOMINE PATRI came up big with the hobbles added. I'm still not sure I can pick him at 4-5 or so. CITY KID missed the action in leg 1 of the series. He probably needs a win to make the final. STIR ME UP looks like an exotics must.
Race 3
MR JIM DANDY missed four weeks and was a bit flat. I'll give him a shot to upset against this lackluster group. HARDROCK KID is clearly the one to beat. ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN put in a good mile last time.
Race 4
BIG SKY HURRICANE only needs to mind his manners to have a big shot at wiring the field. MISS LEE was used to the front and disappointed, but speed was no good that day; using. DONTEVENKNOWMYNAME was 19 for 26 in-the-money last year.
Race 5
DEVINE FILLY refused to lose last week. I have to give her the edge. MISS BEHAVE may have to change tactics to get it down this week. RUNAWAY DESIRAE arrives with some form.
Race 6
CORA LOUISE burned some money as the favorite and gets another outside draw. That said, I see her as being as fast as any in here. I'll take the better price. DWS EASTER was huge in round one action; dangerous. PASS THE POPCORN raced well from a tough post. COMMANDMENT was done in by the track bias last time; don't toss completely.
Race 7
This race is a skip in my book. MY DRAG QUEEN is the only one in the field with a Meadowlands win in the last three years. I LUV IT was racing well at Chester. LADYBONES hooks up with Tetrick off some good qualifiers.
Race 8
CRUZIN ANGEL (BEST BET) was impeded and broke last time. Barring any issues, she should roll versus this bunch. LIZAS PRIDE raced well against the bias last time. FELLAS ELLA closed well in her 2012 debut.
Race 9
TAMPICO has some recent excuses. This looks like the perfect spot for him to get back on track. MYSTICAL CON might have been the favorite from an inside post. Gingras has done well from post 10 this year. TANGO DANCER qualified well and was racing pretty well at Plainridge.
Race 10
CANNAE ROCKY has been racing well lately and finds a pretty good spot. WESTERN AVENUE would be the favorite with a catch-driver in the bike. VINTAGE FENOM can't be tossed, but his last was pretty bad. WAR AND PEACE drops down.