Meadowlands: Friday 10/26 Analysis
Best Bet: SWEET DIAMOND (2nd)
Spot Play: REIGN OF HONOR (6th)
MEET STATS: 14 - 43 / $118.90 (+$32.90)
BEST BETS: 0 - 3 / $0.00 (-$6.00)
Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Race 1
(3) AMERICAN KRONOS has a nose for the wire and seems to be versatile as well. (6) GLOBAL PAGEANT stepped down to this class last time and picked up a win, but this group looks a bit tougher. (5) FLOS CONCH SHACK gets a big driver change to Gingras.
Race 2
(4) SWEET DIAMOND charged home last time to just miss after chasing very slow fractions. David Miller is back on the team now and I’m expecting a big performance. (1) ODDS ON ST LUCIE comes off a strong performance in this series last week and deserves consideration. (2) LOVE AT FIRST BITE has consistently hit the board. Perhaps Gingras can get him over the top.
Race 3
(3) SISTER’S PROMISE raced super in this series two starts back but was overmatched and broke in the Breeders Crown. Now back in her comfort zone, she should shine. (5) CAN’T TOUCH IT has a bit of seconditis; Gingras joins the team. (2) BIG WEEZY is another that can’t seem to get over the top but keeps cashing big checks each week.
Race 4
(6) MICHELON’S FILLY charged home full of pace to win going away in her first start in from Kentucky. I’m sticking with her. (1) SURREALITY never got involved from an outside post a week ago and could show some early speed from the cones. (3) A BEACH COWGIRL has been consistent and should hit the exotics somewhere.
Race 5
(7) GODSPELL HALL was moving in the right direction for Trond Smedshammer prior to the break last time. Stretching out to the big track could be just what this guy needs and facing this dull field helps, too. (5) BIG CHECKMATE moves into a new barn and I wouldn’t be shocked if we saw some improvement. (6) FLEUR DE HILL is capable of showing early speed and going as fast as any in here.
Race 6
(4) REIGN OF TERROR added hobbles and kept his act together the entire mile. With new driver David Miller in the bike and a clean line on his card, maybe we’ll see a more aggressive effort. (3) THUNDER is clearly the one to beat at a short price, but missing two weeks off a scratch line and five weeks in a row on the shelf is not ideal. (1) MEMO should stick close from the cones and get a nice piece.
Race 7
(2) MAC’S POWER was used on the engine and paid the price last time. The trip should be kinder this week. (3) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH continued to move in the right direction with Lasix added; clear threat. (1) ODDS ON BOCA RATON comes off a disappointing effort but shouldn’t be given up on just yet.
Race 8
(5) PILOT DISCRETION comes into town with a perfect record and the fact that McCarthy opted off should only help the price you get. (3) NO DRAMA PLEASE & (8) BATTENBERG are risky propositions but very capable of firing a big shot. (4) DIVINE SPIRIT comes off a win and deserves some consideration.
Race 9
(7) MODESTY caught a salty group in her return qualifier, but that race should tighten her up nicely for her first start since late July. She can make some noise here in a field with no standouts. (2) SILK REED rallied well most recently and can only be helped by the addition of David Miller. (1) TYPHOON should stick close from the cones and get a good piece.
Race 10
(1) WATERWAY disappointed last week. Hopefully the switch back to Brett Miller makes the difference. (4) MELANIE’S TEDY came up with a big effort in his first start for McDermott; using. (6) NO ORDINARY MAN comes off a good mile and this barn has done well during the early part of this meet.
Race 11
(7) PRICELESSPOSSESION has been the victim of outside posts while racing up in class. The starting slot doesn’t get much better this week but he does drop down. (5) HIGH BLUE comes off a fair effort and gets a Hall of Fame driver now. (6) TWO HIP DIP raced steady off the bench and better than we’ve seen him go in a while. (8) LAUDERDALE has tons of class but I didn’t love his qualifier.