Meadowlands: Friday 11/23 Analysis
Best Bet: DUDDIES LOR (3rd)
Spot Play: TROLLEY (8th)
Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 43 - 132 / $262.90 (-$1.10)
BEST BETS: 4 - 11 / $10.40 (-$11.60)
Race 1
(7) IF NOT WHY NOT has become a new horse with Lasix added. There is no reason to think he won't repeat as he gets a free ride in this class again. (2) DERF HANOVER won his comeback qualifier very easily and deserves some consideration. (1) STRENGTH OFA WOMAN ships down from Canada off a three-week layoff; driver change alert. (4) QUALITY KEMP returns to the races for the first time since July. If ready, he is fast enough.
Race 2
(3) GODSPELL HALL switches barns. The time off is a bit of a concern, but there are no killers in this race. (7) BIZET has been racing well since returning from a fall vacation. (2) TOWN HALL JUSTICE doesn't look enticing on paper, but is eligible for an immediate wakeup on the trainer change angle. (8) WAR STORY has some early speed and now has a couple of starts under his belt following the long layoff.
Race 3
(5) DUDDIE'S LOR wasn't quite ready to tackles the best 2-year-olds from post 10 in the Governor's Cup elimination. Back in the conditioned ranks he should prove tough despite facing older. (8) ALWAYS A BB slips back in to a NW2 condition this week and should bring a strong effort. (9) BARBADOS has looked good since coming to New jersey; using underneath.
Race 4
(4) MONTALBANO BI is certainly capable of breaking, but this field is so soft that he shouldn't be stressed at any point in the mile. If he stays trotting, he wins. (2) DOG GONE LUCKY goes from an amateur driver to Bongiorno and could improve. (3) WHATNBLAZES is still chugging along at age 12.
Race 5
(7) CC BIG BOY SAM dug too big of a hole and even a 27-second final quarter didn't help in his first start off the claim. I'm going to take another shot with him. (3) MAGNUM MIKE became a new horse for Ron Burke. Taken for $10,000 last week, how will he do in a barn that is 1 for 22 at the current meet? (5) INTHEBLINKOFANEYE steps up slightly but seems to have enough form and class to win.
Race 6
(5) JACKSRLUCKYTOO didn't get a fast enough pace to use his late kick last week. Class drop this time could make the difference. (2) INDY INGOT comes out of the same race as the top pick and also moves to the inside of the gate. (6) JUPITER JOHNNY ships in for a barn that usually has them ready to fire.
Race 7
(2) SHADY CAROLINE tired after getting used on the engine last time. Only two horses won on the lead last Friday and both were odds-on favorites who set a slow pace. (4) PERPLEXED just missed in this class a week ago while finishing well ahead of the top pick. (5) SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR comes in from Pocono with good form and has won here this year.
Race 8
(6) TROLLEY was understandably short last time after more than a year on the shelf. Erv Miller trainee has ability and should be ready to show more now. (7) FASHIONWOODCHOPPER was a solid second behind TVG starter Six Pack in his first start for Ron Burke. Let's see what he can do stretching out on the big track. (9) TUONOBLU REX finished up willingly in his qualifier and certainly fits here on speed.
Race 9
(1) DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE finds a field without much early speed and he should be sitting in a prime spot from post 1. (4) DELIGHTFULMEMPHISN has a string of solid races to her credit but might need the right setup. (10) OK HEAVENLY upset in this class a week ago; post 10 hurts. (9) SEVENTIMESAVIRGIN has the class but also an outside post; mixed feelings.
Race 10
(2) CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A raced gamely in his qualifier versus a foe that is competing four classes higher on Saturday. After a month on the sidelines, it appears this Down Under import is ready to shine. (4) LIVE ON is coming off a sharp effort and should be put in play early; using. (9) LARRY KARR has been going too fast early and tiring according late; new tactics? (8) ROCKIN ROGER came up short in his first start off the claim. With 20 wins in 72 career starts, you may not want to give up on him too fast.
Race 11
(7) IDEAL ROMANCE won the GNotes final for this class last time out for a barn that has only missed the board once this meet. He seems odds-on to repeat. (4) IDEAL CANDIDATE was third behind the top pick last time; slight upset chance. (9) ROCK ON THE HILL ships in with early speed and form. (2) CHARMBRO CURIOSITY drops down to a class where he should get a piece of the exotics.