Meadowlands: Friday 1/3 Analysis

MEET STATS: 303-90-48-41 / $421.20 (-$184.80)
BEST BETS: 24-13-2-0 / $39.00 (-$8.00)
BEST BET: SUTTON (7th)
SPOT PLAY: TROLLEY (6TH)
Race 1 – Trackmaster Rating 79.75 or less - **$25K GTD Pick 5**
(5) MANHATTAN PLAY flashed decent speed at both ends of the mile last time in just her second start back from a two-month vacation. If she has a big mile in her tank, this looks like the right spot. (4) CRUISINWITHMYBABY closed well with no shot last time. She’ll be a big price and a smooth trip could help her upset. (8) NARCIAN JEWEL beat a bunch of these last time from post 10. She clearly has a shot to repeat. (10) CRACKLIN ROSIE has early speed and form; not impossible.
Race 2 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(8) MAKE OR MISS was urged along and dug in for second while showing no signs of a miscue in his first qualifier for DiDomenico. Valley Victory winner from back in 2015 could be live at a decent price. (6) FIJI was used too hard last out; dangerous early speed. (3) ILLINIMIGHT has good form but might be trip reliant. (1) CONMAN CROWN took a shot and tired as the chalk last Thursday. Don’t be shocked if a better trip results in a better performance.
Race 3 – Trackmaster Rating 79.5 or less
(7) IDEAL SON typically does his best work down one class, but in a very soft field with no standouts, maybe Hanney will get aggressive and make some magic. (3) SUNSHINE WEST gets a young set of hands in the bike and perhaps he can wake this guy back up. (1) DAYLYN HORIZON was racing well for a hot barn but changes hands; mixed feelings. (8) RUNHAPPY TEN wasn’t bad last time; needs to be closer.
Race 4 – Non-winners 4/5 races or $50/60,000 life
(3) SOUTHWIND FROST raced reasonably well last time after missing well over two months of action. Son of E L Titan could perk up in his second start back. (4) GOTWUTEVERITTAKES strode clear impressively in his latest qualifier and shows plenty of good lines over the big track at Hoosier; clear player. (6) VENTURE PRINCESS has been racing well of late.
Race 5 - $15,000/$17,500 Claiming Handicap
(3) MIAMI has won two straight and is clearly the one to beat. I’m not crazy about the short price but I don’t feel strongly about any of the rest. (4) ONE DIRECTION gets a barn change to the hot Surick stable. (5) SHOEMAKER HANOVER has to prove himself over the track but has been very versatile up north at Saratoga.
Race 6 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5
(5) TROLLEY is slowly coming to form and now he finds the perfect spot to pick up a win before potentially selling at the Mixed Sale in a few weeks. (4) SAY YOU DO has some breaking issues but is always dangerous. (8) DAYSON comes off a decent mile and has tons of class. (3) SPECTRE can step up at times and despite Buter jumping ship, Dunn is a great replacement. (9) EXPLOSIVE RIDGE has early speed and form. This is a tough spot but he can certainly hit the board.
Race 7 – Non-winners $22,500 in last 5
(2) SUTTON has a couple of starts under his belt now after the long break in action. I’m expecting early speed and a huge effort. (3) JL CRUZE is another classy trotter who also figures to show speed and might just cut the mile. (1) PAPPY GO GO is a nice trotter in a very tough spot. He’s capable but I like others better.
Race 8 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5 - **$50K GTD Pick 4**
(3) SANDY WIN goes for three straight in this class and might still provide some value in a field with plenty of talent. (4) MAJOR OCCASION A was hard-held away from the gate to settle in and rallied very willingly with just a couple of whip taps in the stretch last time. Australian import seems to have talent. (9) IDEAL LIFESTYLE A was left with too much to do last week and just missed. The outside post is tough but we now know she fits. (7) ODDS ON ST LUCIE perked back up on the fast track last time but the forecast is calling for a 90% chance of rain this week.
Race 9 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5
(1) MORAIRTIME blazed the way and actually held rather well upon arrival last weekend. I’m not running to the windows to bet, but perhaps with more rating early in the mile she can get the job done. (3) CALL FOR JUSTICE never got involved last week; expecting some early speed here. (7) THISGUYISONFIRE moves in a couple of spots on the gate and may be able to pull this race out of the hat.
Race 10 – Non-winners $5,000 in last 5
(6) ZAGSTER was used early and went too fast last time; drops now. (9) HASHTAGMADEYALOOK is clearly facing easier foes and this barn excels with class-droppers. (5) TAKE A WISH won in this class a week ago; surprises again?
Race 11 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5
(4) LA GRANGE A went a long mile and kept finding more against a better foe last week. He seems worth following. (1) TRUEMASS VOLO has been going some tough trips. If he can save ground early and shake free, watch out! (10) VERY VERY FAST moves into a good barn and the 11-year-old is more than fast enough to make some noise. (5) DW’S REVENGE finished well most recently; more now?
Race 12 – Non-winners $7,500 in last 5
(2) CRAZY ABOUT PAT hasn’t had much luck lately but finally gets a good starting spot. This could be his week. (5) SWANCREDIT raced reasonably well last week; using underneath. (1) MR HOUDINI is a clear contender when feeling good; win threat.
Race 13 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(4) ANNIHILATOR was racing in the top classes in Kentucky and speed-wise he seems to fit. New barn should have him ready after two qualifiers. (1) ALEPPO HANOVER figures to flash speed from the pylons in a field that appears to lack that quality. (2) ROCK ICON had no shot from post seven last time. Veteran is a player here.
Race 14 – Non-winners $7,500 in last 5
(4) WOODMERE OLEKSIAK keeps winning and getting another chance to milk these Trackmaster conditions. Why not again? (1) STRONG OPINION wasn’t bad in her first start since August; could show more. (3) GLORIA PIERRE has some form. She could be interesting if Buter leaves off the gate hard. (9) DONGAL RUNDLSCRK N rallied well last time. How does she get into the race?