Meadowlands: Friday 1/10 Analysis

MEET STATS: 24-4-3-4 / $19.60 (-$28.40)
BEST BETS: 2-0-0-0 / $0.00 (-$4.00)
BEST BET: RENTIER (13th)
SPOT PLAY: SANDY WIN (7th)
Race 1 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less - **$25K GTD Pick 5**
(5) KABOOM POW raced well from an outside post last time to be second and should have a big shot here in a blank field. (1) SO TAKE THAT moves to an inside post and should be very capable at this level. Will we see any life out of him early? (3) SHARKNADO was claimed back by Cosenza for a higher price tag, which is a good sign; contender, but likely needs a trip. (9) BIG ROCKY disappointed as the chalk most recently; rebounds?
Race 2 – Non-winners 4/5 races or $50/60,000 life
(2) SOUTHWIND FROST has a couple of starts back from a brief vacation and should be in close attendance this week in the shorter field. He could be ready to wake up now. (1) FOREVERHILLREIGN has some early speed and that could be key in this race; big threat to rebound. (4) GALIXTON displayed some signs of life last week with a good late rally; coming around?
Race 3 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(5) MUSCLE FASHION burned plenty of money last time when he broke as the favorite. Buter knows him better now and we get another class drop here. (7) SHADY MCCOY raced well off the bench last Thursday. Don’t be surprised if Abbatiello fires him off the gate with this guy scheduled to sell on the Jan. 20 in the mixed sale. (3) ER SKYWALKER comes off a good try and this barn was heating up at the end of December.
Race 4 – Non-winners $7,500 in last 5
(1) CRAZY ABOUT PAT was stuck behind dull cover, tipped wide on the final turn and took too long to hit his best gear last week on the sloppy track. He’s at the right level and only needs a wake-up call from Berry to return to the winner’s circle. (4) LASA DIDA LADY goes for three straight as she steps up the ladder for a third week. (10) HIGGS BOSON moves to the big track for a high percentage barn and might pick up his game.
Race 5 - $7,500 Claiming
(2) SIR RITCHIE N seems to be sitting on a win and the addition of Dexter Dunn might be just what this veteran needs to get over the top. (8) WALKS OF LIFE is back in form and didn’t miss a beat winning wire to wire last time; catch him to win. (7) CADILLAC PHIL drops back down for a hot barn but could get looped by #8 if he leaves off the gate. (6) VILLAGE JACKSON is capable and should offer value.
Race 6 – Trackmaster Rating 79.75 or less
(5) TANGO DANCER N just missed last week and perhaps Dunn can get that extra few feet out of her here. (2) WOODMERE OLESNIAK couldn’t get into gear on the sloppy track last time but has every chance to rebound now. (3) JB’S SHOOTING STAR could be a dangerous commodity if following live cover.
Race 7 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5
(3) SANDY WIN missed last week due to transportation issues but that shouldn’t hurt her form. I’ll stick with her while expecting to get a fair price because (7) MAJOR OCCASION A will take a ton of money after getting restrained off the gate and lining up behind bad cover. (10) IDEAL LIFESTYLE A is a capable horse starting from a difficult post.
Race 8 – Non-winners $7,500 in last 5 - **$50K GTD Pick 4**
(5) DW’S REVENGE gets substantial class relief this week and only needs a decent trip to but right there at the wire. (7) MYSTICAL MOTOR is clearly the sharpest horse in the field for a good barn. (6) TRUEMASS VOLO drops out of the same race as the top pick and will likely offer better odds.
Race 9 – Trackmaster Rating 76.75 or less
(5) SWEET LULLABY finished second when last in this class and you know they’ll want to get a big mile in her prior to the sale on Jan. 20. (1) LILY HAMMER comes off a toss-out mile from post 7 at Batavia most recently. Her prior form is fine and I’m guessing we’ll see some early speed. (3) I WILL DO IT and (2) FUTURE DELIGHT are two sharp horses stepping up for barns that started the meet off nicely; playable.
Race 10 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5
(2) WINNING LYRIC jumped it off last time against a pretty tough field of NW10000. Don’t give up on him too quickly. (8) DRAZZMATAZZ drops a class and hopefully will get an aggressive steer. (1) MARION GONDOLIER is capable of winning with a trip but probably best used underneath.
Race 11 – Non-winners 6/8 races or $80/90,000 life
In a race with many possible winners, (7) CLIVE BIGSBY makes his second start back from a long break and is almost certainly going to be put in play with a date at the mixed sale looming in 10 days. (6) OBERTO added hobbles last time and kept his act together. He’s raced well here in the past. (3) WARRIOR ONE finished a good second behind a quality horse last time. (5) UNION FORCES is erratic but capable. Along with the very sharp (9) DEPLORABLE TOM, they are both sale-bound.
Race 12 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less
(1) DISTURBED HANOVER gets a driver change to Gingras and I’m hoping he’ll let the dust settled and brush her to the front. (3) SWEET SUE gets major post relief and could awaken. (8) MAJOR MAID raced well on the barn change last time and clearly has a shot here.
Race 13 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(1) RENTIER raced just evenly in his first start since June and now gets some class relief to the basement condition. I’m expecting a big effort versus a very soft group. (2) DULUTH gets a much better post to start from and one of the best drivers on the circuit. (3) ALEXANDER HANOVER gets a driver change of his own and perhaps he’ll wake up as well.
Race 14 - $15,000-$17,500 Claiming Handicap
(4) MIAMI has been rolling along in this class and seems poised to make it four straight wins. (5) SHOEMAKER HANOVER could line up in a prime spot behind the top pick and heavy favorite. (1) SMART AS A WHIP and (9) ONE DIRECTION have early speed and are clearly threats to be a factor.