Meadowlands: Friday 1/24 Analysis

MEET STATS: 80-17-15-16 / $80.60 (-$79.40)
BEST BETS: 6-3-1-0 / $13.00 (+$1.00)
BEST BET: VERY VERY FAST (8th)
SPOT PLAY: MYSTICAL MOTOR (3rd)
Race 1 – Trackmaster Rating 77.7 or less - **$25K GTD Pick 5**
This is a tough race to kick off the Pick 5 and I guarantee a bunch of people will be using four or five horses here. (9) VENTURE PRINCESS switches from a much more difficult class to tackle this very soft group. If the 4-year-old mare is put in play she should have a big shot. (3) THE MAGIC OF LIFE raced well after his customary early break last time. As usual, if he trots, he wins. (2) REEL OF FORTUNE has dangerous early speed in a questionable field. (7) NAMJE moves into a new barn and is worth a look on that angle alone.
Race 2 – Non-winners $22,500 in last 5
(3) SANDY WIN wasn’t in a great spot last Friday but this field presents a scenario. She could leave and sit no worse than second or wait and get likely cover from #1. (5) WISDOM TREE and (6) ODDS ON ST LUCIE finished ahead of the top pick last week and certainly deserve consideration.
Race 3 - $15,000-$20,000 Claiming Handicap
(5) MYSTICAL MOTOR draws inside his main rivals this week and should have a free run at the top. If you can get anywhere near a double-digit return, jump on board quickly. (9) ONE DIRECTION blasted down the road last Friday and is dangerous once again. (1) MIAMI raced ok for his new connections. With a decent trip, he can play with these. (10) STARSABOVEALLERAGE rallied from a tough post last time and is always going to be a threat at this level.
Race 4 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(1) MUSCLE FASHION raced well on the class drop last time and now moves into a new barn. Against a suspect group, he seems very live. (5) MUFASA AS exits NW6 for the basement condition at the track; using. (2) CORDOBA HALL needs to stay flat and get a decent trip to win. That’s a lot of conditions, but he’s capable.
Race 5 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less
(4) SWEET SUE moves into a new barn and faces a very soft field that seems ripe to be taken wire to wire. (1) ALWAYS ARTISTIC drew inside and has some early speed. That should prove valuable in this spot. (7) EXOTIC DANCE makes her second start for a high percentage barn, though Bongiorno is still looking for her first win at the meet. (2) LULU DE VIE doesn’t appear to be a win player, but having drawn inside, she should have lower exotic possibilities.
Race 6 – Non-winners 4-7 races or $50-$90,000 life
(1) GRANDMA HEIDI was freshened up and raced well upon her return. Four-year-old reunites with Miller here and should have a big shot. (4) GALIXTON kept his act together with hobbles added last time. He has some ability. (9) YANKEES BEAST was hot at the end of the year at Philly and qualified back well. Is he ready to fire, especially from the outside post? (7) TT’S D-JAY fits with these and gets a positive driver change.
Race 7 – Trackmaster Rating 80 or less
(5) LILY HAMMER beat up on lesser a week ago and seems sharp enough to handle the bump in class. (4) GLORIA PIERRE has been closing well from tough posts. She’s a player here with a clean trip. (1) ROCKIN PRALINE has some class to her but may need a start after missing more than three months of action.
Race 8 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5 - **$50K GTD Pick 4**
(6) VERY VERY FAST stays in the same class but catches a much softer field. Veteran should be heading down the road. (4) SAY YOU DO just missed for us at 11-1 last week. He’s a big threat again with a smooth trip. (5) SPECTRE is capable but needs to pick up his game.
Race 9 – Trackmaster Rating 76.75 or less
(3) APPLE HANOVER changes hands and moves into a live barn. Five-year-old stretches out on the big track for the first time and finds a pretty good spot to see if she can step up. (4) SUDDEN PASSING showed speed on the class drop last time and now takes another step down the ladder. (6) SHES SPORTY A tired when used early a week ago. With off the pace tactics she can get into the exotics.
Race 10 – Non-winners $5,000 in last 5
(4) CRAZY ABOUT PAT has been knocking at the door lately and this class drop could be what he needs to get over the top. (7) MR HOUDINI also moves down the condition ladder and hails from the powerful Burke barn. (6) CHIEF JUSTICE bumped to this level last week and raced well. He can play with these with a decent trip.
Race 11 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less
(6) STENING A makes his second start back from a long layoff and also drops in class. I’d expect Stalbaum to put this guy in play versus a weak field. (3) TAILGUNNER HANOVER is capable in this class and he gets a new driver. (1) LETTUCEROCKU A is capable of showing early speed from the pylons and set himself up in good position.
Race 12 - $10,000-$12,500 Claiming Handicap
(1) ROCKIN PANDA is back in for a tag and picks up Callahan, who could be primed for a big night. (8) DUCKIES DYNASTY was super with Lasix added last time. (3) PREPPY ART moves inside after a long trip two weeks back.
Race 13 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(10) AVENTURE has raced very well over the big track in the past and you know the price will be sweet despite facing a dull group. (4) ZOE F has the best form in the field but still only owns one win in 19 career starts. (7) ILLINIMIGHT seems likely to show early speed and be a player. (2) CAMBELLINI qualified back well and would be no surprise.