Meadowlands: Friday 1/18 Analysis

Best Bet: DERF HANOVER (12th)

Spot Play: SEVEN IRON (7th)

Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool

Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

MEET STATS: 129 - 359 / $739.50 (+$21.50)

BEST BETS: 10 - 29 / $33.80 (-$24.20)

Race 1

(5) WALTZACROSSTHEWIRE had no chance from an outside post in his first trip for this barn. Eight-year-old drops again and also moves below the level of the claim. (3) DANCING RUSTY picked up a win in this class last week. (10) DAVID THE SAINT is another dropping down the claiming ladder. I’m not familiar with driver Chad Washington, but if he is a son of General Washington, he should make it around the track ok.

Race 2

(6) MELADY’S MONET could be in the best position of the top three as he’ll either show early speed and be the last to the front or sit back and likely pick up cover from #5. I’ll give him the narrow call among a close-knit trio. (4) TROLLEY saved ground and burst home to best #5 last week. You have to think he’ll be on the engine this time and he may just get away with soft fractions. (5) MUSCLE DIAMOND rarely tosses in a bad effort and is hard to toss off your tickets.

Race 3

(1A) IRON DOME is in better form than it appears on paper and against this soft and questionable field, he seems worth a shot. Plus you get Montalbano Bi as part of the entry. If he feels good (a big if), he’ll win. (5) SERGEANT SEELSTER could break, win or break and win. He looks like the favorite but comes with major risk. (2) DEXTER FREE makes his second start in months and gets a major driver change to help the cause. (9) PHOTO KING steps up off the claim and is rewarded with post 10; tough spot.

Race 4

(2) YOU SHOULD BE HERE raced well with Lasix added at Freehold last time. In a race with spotty form, maybe this gal can finally get this barn off the schneid. (9) PARKIN IN HEAVEN was doing some good work when last seen in the U.S. and she does have the speed to overcome the bad post. (3) LULU DE VIE changes barns and adds Lasix; wake-up possible. (6) GIRL ALMIGHTY could show speed in this spot and get a nice piece.

Race 5

(5) HOT SUMMER KNIGHT is fast enough to tackle this group and will certainly offer a good price. (2) RUBBER DUCK wasn’t as good as I expected last week and that has me leery of taking a short price here. (7) OPULENT YANKEE falls into the same bout as #2. Could it be that at age 8 he has hit a wall? (1) TONY SOPRANO returns off a decent qualifier against softer. He’s in the sale on Monday and could awaken.

Race 6

(2) CHILLIN IT DE VIE wasn’t quite as bad as her PP line looks in her first start since October. She gets some class relief now and could be ready to step up at a nice price. (5) OK HEAVENLY picked up some confidence versus lesser company and is more than capable of stepping up to this class. (8) STYLISH BEACHWARE drops down for the third straight week in search of her comfort level. Is this it?

Race 7

(3) SEVEN IRON was handled conservatively and raced ok while a bit short following a few months on the shelf. In his final start for these connections (slated to sell on Monday here), I’m expecting a change in game plan and a big mile. (7) CHROMEO comes off a solid showing and could show even more with Gingras taking over the lines. (6) FLY ON has been racing well lately but seems to lack a knockout punch right now.

Race 8

(5) NORTHERN SWIFT has been unlucky here from outside posts the last few weeks. She moves to a mid-pack spot and gets no excuses. (1) DEUCES FOR CHARITY finds a good spot and if Cushing can fire her up early, she might just get involved at a big number. (2) SHEER TALENT finished second in this class last time and third a few weeks back; player. (8) BIG CHUTE is another sale horse that has the potential to perform in her last start before changing hands.

Race 9

(3) TAG UP AND GO qualified well for new connections and seems like one of many contenders in this field. (1) CASH FOR GOLD was second missing a neck in his last appearance here. (4) TECH TITAN couldn’t do much from the outside of the gate last Friday; better spot. (2) MARION GONDOLIER drops down and is eligible to perk up. (7) STITCH IN TIME drops in for a tag and might be worth considering on deep Pick 4 tickets.

Race 10

(9) DANGEROUSPRECEDENT gets unlucky with another outside post but really doesn’t face much in this race. She’s sharp enough to overcome. (6) HEPBURN HANOVER finds another pretty good spot but might not be worth the likely odds-on price you’ll have to accept. (4) FOX VALLEY BAILEY was done in by post 10 last time. Perhaps the post relief tonight will make a difference.

Race 11

(7) CASINO CUTIE IT is back at The Meadowlands and in for a lower claiming tag. In a field full of questions, she looks as good as any. (8) SHADY MCCOY would be the favorite in a spot like this a few months ago but he’s fallen out of form lately; mixed feelings. (1) DOWNUNDERMATTER drops a notch and could work out the right trip. (4) ODYSSEY BLUE CHIP has early speed and could steal the race.

Race 12

(2) DERF HANOVER looks tough to play against as the heavy chalk. (1) MIKEY LIKES IT should chase the winner from start to finish from a good striking position. (5) HAMMER TIME has been racing well but needs another gear to come close to the top pick.

Race 13

(5) KAY’S DELIGHT finds the best spot she has seen in a while. As long as there is a decent pace or Napolitano can set up shop second over, she should have a huge say. (7) PENPAL can’t seem to get over the top and actually had a perfect trip last week. If somehow she provides decent value, I’d consider her. (3) STORMTRACKER made a break last time but she is no stranger to that dance step. If she behaves, she’ll contend.

Race 14

(4) CAN DO has been off his game but falls to the basement trotting condition. I have to think this veteran will find a way to win. (1) ZETTE STARLING dropped to this level last time and really had no shot after chasing slow fractions. I’d consider using her here. (10) EYORE HANOVER takes a pretty good step down in class but drew poorly. (7) ARCHIBALD adds hobbles; difference-maker?