Meadowlands: Friday 12/6 Analysis

MEET STATS: 182-57-26-23 / $264.00 (-$100.00)
BEST BETS: 14-8-2-0 / $23.90 (-$4.10)
BEST BET: RICH AND MISERABLE (8th)
SPOT PLAY: PONDER THE ODDS (13th)
Race 1 – GSY Amateur Final - **$25K GTD Pick 5**
(6) POLAK charged home for the second straight week but had too much work to do last time. Moving in a few posts tonight, this classy veteran should be poised to pounce. (7) AMERICANFIREWATER bested the top pick in wire to wire fashion a week ago and is a clear threat to repeat. (10) I’M AN ATHLETE won two straight amateur races two and three starts back. If the trip works out, he could score at a price. (3) JUST N BERLANDER finally gets a good post to work with, but the top few might be too sharp right now.
Race 2 – SBOA 3YO Trot Final
(5) PRINCESS DEO was no match for (3) EVIDENT BEAUTY in the stretch last week, but considering the outside post and the fact that it was her first start for this barn, I’m willing to take a chance that she turns the table on the likely 2-5 favorite. The latter has been a top filly all year and is clearly a must-use in the Pick 5. (1) LUCIUS VORENUS has speed and form but seems a step slower than the top pair.
Race 3 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less Series
(2) HURRIKANE ALI had no shot from post eight at Yonkers last time but returns here to the same class where he won on November 9. Seven-year-old isn’t the same horse he once was, but there are no killers in this group. (10) MAKE IT BIG was a solid second for a barn that was red-hot last weekend. (7) MACH UP A was racing well at this level about five weeks ago and his qualifier was good enough to expect he’ll bring a good effort for a solid barn.
Race 4 – Non-winners $6,500 in last 5
(2) MYSTICAL MOTOR has been racing well at Saratoga and returns to The Meadowlands at a reduced level. With Tetrick signed on for the drive, I’ll take a shot. (6) CONMAN CROWN finished well with Lasix added last time and may be ready to take a step forward. (8) ROUNDTOWN ROCKER gets a slightly better post and a new driver. He’s done well here in the past.
Race 5 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(7) JOHNNY Q was better in his last start and this field is clearly softer than that one. He doesn’t jump off the page but he is very capable of posting a top effort. (10) MAAJAACKKOBE has early speed and figures to use it to get at least an exotic slot. (2) MACH DÉJÀ VU also has early speed and tired after using too much of it last time. Perhaps the change of scenery will help. (1) TIME OUT I’M TIRED is well classified. Will he need a start after missing more than two months.
Race 6 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5
(5) ODDS ON ST LUCIE put in a solid qualifier with Lasix added to the equation. We know she is fast enough to win here. (8) MONICA GALLAGHER is a classy 5-year-old in good form for a very hot barn. (1) ANNABETH closed well last time in this class.
Race 7 – Non-winners $6,500 in last 5
(1) LUCKY MATTER raced well while up in class two weeks back and now finds a better spot for a barn that won twice last Saturday. (10) PRESIDENTIAL ZETTE put in a good effort when dropping to this level a week ago and merits attention despite the outside post here. (7) BLASCO comes off a win in only his second start for this barn. Horse is 24 for 47 lifetime. (4) ALEXANDER HANOVER comes to town with Tetrick in the bike and seems worth a look.
Race 8 – Preferred - **$50K GTD Pick 4**
(4) RICH AND MISERABLE took plenty of air and held very well last week. This shapes up as a better spot considering the post draw and I expect Buter will march this guy to the top. (5) MUSCLE M UP steps up but seems capable of going with this crew with a decent cover trip. (2) SOUTHWIND CHROME only needs to behave to have a big shot at winning. (8) DAYSON has plenty of class but needs a decent trip from a tough post.
Race 9 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5
(1) ZOOMING has to move up in class after finishing just fourth, but this isn’t a big step up the ladder. Millionaire could be tighter this week racing back in seven days after a 20-day gap. (6) MAGICAL BELIEFS is back at the Big M at a reduced level. (3) KADABRA QUEEN had to move up too high in class last time and failed. She’s back at the right level now and a clear threat. (8) MR HOUDINI was second from post 10 in this NW10000 condition two starts back.
Race 10 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5
(4) FOR A DREAMER added hobbles and that clearly helped last time. This is a tough race but I’ll take a shot if the price is 3-1 or higher. (3) THE LAST CHAPTER just missed last time at Yonkers and fits nicely with this group. (1) SPECTRE rolled last time at 13-1 and will offer much lower odds now. (2) SILVERMASS VOLO gets a much better post; dangerous.
Race 11 – Trackmaster rating 74.5 or less Series
(7) DUCKIES DYNASTY showed signs of life last week with a decent final quarter and now trainer Harry Landy hands the lines over to Dexter Dunn. I’m expecting an aggressive effort. (2) SOME GOLD has three career starts at The Meadowlands and all from bad posts (9,10,9). Let’s see what he can do. (8) TAILGUNNER HANOVER won in this class two starts back but has no early speed to overcome the post; mixed feelings.
Race 12 – Winners 2-4 races lifetime
(5) SKYWAY KON MAN showed improvement in his second start for this barn and gets the perfect post to do some damage here. (9) HL REVADON went first-over and beat many of these last time; clear threat again. (2) THE MAGIC OF LIFE impressively blew past a bunch of foes to win last time. This is a huge jump in class. Is he up to it? (6) DEPLORABLE TOM didn’t care for being on the front and will likely see new tactics here.
Race 13 – Non-winners $6,500 in last 5
(6) PONDER THE ODDS was a solid second behind a much-the-best runaway winner last time, This looks like a good spot. (10) PASS LINE BLUECHIP arrives with early speed and good form; notice a 1:51 1/5 win here last year. (1) KAY’S DELIGHT and (4) LA ALWAYS AMARTINI are two capable uncoupled mares from trainer Carmen Auciello, who may only have two wins at the meet but owns 16 second- or third-place finishes.