Meadowlands: Friday 1/23 Analysis
Race 1 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Race 7 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 63 - 268 / $372.40 BEST BETS: 8 - 19 / $26.20
Best Bet: MODEST PRINCE (7th)
Spot Play: CUT A DEAL (8th)
Race 1
(1) CELEBRITY MASSIVE wasn't bad in his career debut on Jan. 2. This field is full of question marks and I'd rather take a shot with a colt that hasn't proven his lack of talent yet. (2) BIG VALLEY SPEED is clearly fast enough but can't seem to keep his wits about him on the track. (6) SHES ON FIRE has been in slightly tougher spots; maybe. (7) ELDORADO OF GOLD S drops out of series action.
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Race 2
(4) SAWYER showed last year that she is as fast as any of these. Her return qualifier was solid and the Art Major filly should be ready. (6) FRISKIE'S ANGEL comes off an awful line, but those types of anomaly performances can usually be tossed. (7) AMERICAN TRUTH is lightly raced and thus eligible to step up in her 3-year-old debut.
Race 3
(8) ROYAL ICE comes with the clear risk of a break, but should win easily if he trots; your call. (4) ULSTER spent plenty of time on the rim before making a break in his most recent try. Notice he was the favorite that night. (7) CELEBRITY FANTASY has been okay lately; exotics player for me. (2) VEGLIANTINO picked up some confidence at Yonkers.
Race 4
(4) TWISTED PRETZEL comes off two credible efforts at this level and now faces rather dull group. I wouldn't bet the farm, but he should at least make his presence felt. (7) FICO had a tough trip at this condition two back and was a decent third prior to that. (8) HOMER JAY had no chance of closing against slow fractions at Yonkers. Classy veteran could be a player at a price.
Race 5
(2) WALK THE WALK was a confident winner in the morning last week in preparation for his first start since July. This field contains some decent horses, but he fits right in if ready for a peak effort. (8) DETROIT RAPPER tried different tactics and failed last time. He can make the front tonight. (1) LADY WINDSOR has been very consistent; using. (5) HILL I AM flashed some speed most recently; getting better.
Race 6
(5) MONEY ON MY WHEEL is ready for her 7-year-old season a after a three month winter break. She finished up her qualifying mile with plenty of late speed. (8) SOMWHEROVRARAINBOW is another high-class mare making her 2015 debut. She'll be the favorite and might not be worth a possible odds-on mutuel. (1) SOUTHWIND SERENITY comes out of the same qualifier as the top pair and actually won that morning. Let's see how the 4YO does against the older competition with the money on the line.
Race 7
(8) MODEST PRINCE has been facing tough foes and remains in top form despite not hitting the board. (1) UPFRONT BILLY gets the class relief he needs to make some noise. (7) FOX VALLEY SMARTY flashed early speed and was even late versus better.
Race 8
(1) CUT A DEAL was used in the early pace last time and still hung around for a decent check. She should be forwardly placed again from the inside starting spot. (2) ADDYS WAY has raced well in her two start since coming over from Dayton. (10) KEN DOLL J comes off a win versus cheaper. If Tetrick can work out a trip from post 10, she has a shot.
Race 9
(3) SPLITSVILLE was impeded last week and still finished with a full head of steam for third. As long as he has clear sailing, I'd expect him to be at least in the photo. (2) CANADIAN WILDCAT couldn't touch Well Built last time, but that one moved up in class. Gelding is a clear player. (8) MARION MAYFLOWER has clear early speed; dangerous.
Race 10
(1) KLM EXPRESS gets class and post relief tonight. He had no shot in his recent races and we'll get a true indication on Friday whether this classy 10-year-old can still hack it. (5) CURRENT CRISIS took care of business in his last try against C-2 types. (7) CHOCOHOLIC has early speed and form on her side. (3) WORTH THE MONEY AS was Callahan's choice on the class drop.
Race 11
(6) SOMENICHBEACH was shuffled badly last time and won her prior start. She can win this race. (4) HOT LIST might be the lone speed in this short field; very dangerous. (1) BLUSH HANOVER deserves to be in a straight C-1 after finishing ninth last time. That said, she got another bad trip and is good enough with smoother sailing.
Race 12
(2) PANCAKES took plenty of air and kept digging down deep to lose by only two lengths despite a tough trip. (5) BRING THEM HOME loves it on the engine and should get there easily enough. He won by five lengths in his last C-2 start. (4) BEST BOSS drops down and could awaken. (1) DELICIOUSLYNAUGHTY is hard to toss from a good post at this level.
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