Meadowlands: Friday 12/14 Analysis
Best Bet: CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A (2nd)
Spot Play: BELL I NO (4th)
Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 69 - 207 / $408.10 (-$5.90)
BEST BETS: 6 - 17 / $15.80 (-$18.20)
Race 1
(4) DECLAN SEELSTER qualified back in good order. He looks like the best horse in the field but hasn’t raced since July. I’d take a close look at him in the post parade. (1) ODE TO GRAY came back from a break last time and put in a steady mile. Some improvement is possible. (5) CAPTAIN AMERICA finished ahead of #1 in a good speed try last Saturday.
Race 2
(5) CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A has been on fire for a barn that can’t lose right now. It looks like he can handle the class rise. (1A) NEW TALENT & (1) INCREDIBLE SHARK are both very capable and should be tighter in their second starts after missing four weeks of action. (4) TERROR OF THE NITE has done his best work when down in class, but he is sharp.
Race 3
(1) MAGNUM MIKE just missed versus a sharp foe last week; sticking with him. (8) STILL FRISKIE drops back down and with the outside post and presence of #1, should offer some value. (5) OBSCENE BLUE CHIP finished a length behind the top one last time. He should get a piece here.
Race 4
(1) BELL I NO ran into a classier and perhaps slightly sharper foe last week. This isn’t an easy spot, but he should prove tough. (2) CASTLE FLIGHT has qualified back well for Cullipher and is certainly fast enough to win if ready. (7) MAROMA BEACH is a decent trip away from a big effort.
Race 5
(5) JACKSRLUCKYTOO is back at the NW5000 level where he won three starts back. Veteran campaigner should find live cover from this prime mid-pack post. (4) IWLLMAKEYOUSAYWOW put in a solid effort in defeat and could certainly get over the top here. (3) GRAND THEFT has done his best while down a level in company, but he could save ground and get a good piece.
Race 6
(1) NEXT SUCCESS rallied willingly last week in 1:51 3/5, which was nearly eight seconds faster than the previous week at Monticello. Certainly that effort should have him tighter for tonight. (5) MCTHRILLER has plenty of solid efforts at this level. Maybe the driver change helps get him over the top. (4) MINDTRIP was Miller’s choice of five horses in this eight-horse field. (2) K-LEES SHAKENBAKE was flat after 10 months away from the track; can show more.
Race 7
(5) GEEZ JOE was rolling along here before a misstep in a stakes race out of town. Unless he is bet heavily, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. (4) K RYAN BLUECHIP is feeling good now and a big threat to get the hat trick. (1) TACT TATE N raced erratically again last week. There seems to be talent here if Croghan can straighten him out.
Race 8
(4) DECISION DAY was in a tougher NW8500 last week and from an outside post. He can win this race with any decent journey. (3) CENTURY CHURCHILL catches the softest field he has seen in some time. (1) PICKLED PREACHER tries his luck on the big track and could be a sneaky exotics player. (2) CC BIG BOY SAM steps up off a pair of wins but seems sharp enough to compete.
Race 9
(1) TWIN CREEKS JESSE drops down off a decent effort and should still provide some value. (7) INDY INGOT got Brett Miller’s call over three others. He is coming off a good mile but probably should’ve lasted. (5) TERROR HALL not only drops a level but also gets a nice driver change. (2) CHEYENNE REIDER has been racing well for some time; exotics player.
Race 10
(1) PLAY JET RAY hasn’t shown much early speed but catches a field that seems to lack that quality. He should get away close and have a big shot. (2) MESSI N had sneaky late pace in his recent qualifier and really doesn’t face a strong field here. (8) PARKLANE EAGLE comes off an even mile. He has a shot with the right trip.
Race 11
(5) DEEPFAVE HANOVER took a shot and tired each of the last two weeks. New set of hands at the helm could produce a better result. (3) LIFE HAPPENED drops to the basement condition. It won’t get much easier than this field. (2) ROCK ON THE HILL was racing well prior to last week; using underneath.
Race 12
(4) WISE IMAGE stepped up to this class and got the job done. He should prove tough again. (6) ALTA SHELBY N didn’t fire in his U.S. debut. I’m willing to give him another chance. (8) FORDHAM SIXTY TWO had some pace at the end of his recent qualifier. (3) BARBADOS has speed and some form but I prefer him underneath.