Meadowlands: Friday 1/4 Analysis
Best Bet: OK HEAVENLY (2nd)
Spot Play: PENPAL (8th)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 106 - 305 / $609.50 (-$.50)
BEST BETS: 8 - 25 / $22.80 (-$27.20)
Race 1
(2) TECH TITAN closed well last time from an impossible spot. Normally I would think he’d be overbet here, but having owner Peter Kleinhans in the bike should combat that possibility. (1) BIG CHECKMATE has early speed and should use that in a dull field from this inside post. (5) MUAY HANOVER raced well the last time he hooked up with Callahan.
Race 2
(6) OK HEAVENLY drops down in class and really should dispose of this field. (3) GIVEMEYOURHEART drops out of the same field as the top pick and gets post relief as well. (1) BIG CHUTE has been racing well out of town and looks like a fit in this class.
Race 3
(4) SOUTHWIND COBRA gets an interesting trainer switch to Smedshammer and he has had the horse for over a month to figure him out. I’ll take a shot in a field with no standouts. (2) SHADY MCCOY broke looking for a tuck last time when dropping to this level. The better post tonight should make things easier on him; big threat. (1) BLITZ VICTORY gets post and class relief this week.
Race 4
(4) JUST N BERLANDER was just even in his first start for this barn. He moves in on the gate this week and gets another shot. (8) SPORTS COWBOY double drops in claiming price. He doesn’t win much but still deserves consideration. (7) SMOOTH MOCHA should be heading to the top and won at this level two starts back.
Race 5
(3) ACEFORTYFOUR ALEX comes in from Monticello and might actually be getting class relief. She was certainly racing against better at Yonkers in November and December. I’ll give her the narrow call. (1) HEPBURN HANOVER moves inside this week and should be hustled away from the gate. (10) DANGEROUSPRECEDENT is another with the early speed to make noise, but post 10 could present some issues.
Race 6
(2) MISS RUBY blew away the competition last time and tonight’s competition doesn’t seem to be that much tougher. (3) FLY FLY SELENA gets class and post relief along with a driver change to Gingras; things to like. (4) CHELSEES A WINNER returns to The Meadowlands at a reduced level.
Race 7
(3) PAPPY GO GO was second behind a runaway winner last Friday. He should be able to get over the top this time with Gingras at the helm. (5) ROCK OF CASHEL gets a driver change as well. Callahan has done well with this guy in the past. (9) DYNAMIC EDGE drops out of the Preferred and gets an aggressive driver tonight.
Race 8
(5) PENPAL gave her all in defeat last week. Tonight she reunites with Corey Callahan who has driven her three times in 2018 with two wins and a second. (8) DELIGHTFULMEMPHISN drops out of the Preferred condition and Dunn chose this gal over my top pick. (1A) KAK’S SHARK ATTACK had a win in this class two starts back and she comes with a solid partner in (1) STYLISH BEACHWARE.
Race 9
(1) CAN DO drops two levels into his comfort zone and should bring a top effort. (6) TEXICAN is another moving down the condition ladder and he gets an interesting driver change as well. (9) STAR STUDDED CAST has plenty of early speed and should get into the exotics at least. (2) BETTER CALL SAUL is clearly sharp enough to compete.
Race 10
(6) RUBBER DUCK got caught in a fast mile last week and now gets a bit of a condition break. Classy 7-year-old is in a good spot. (3) TORKIL comes out of the same race as the top pick and does get a positive post switch. (9) FEARLESS MAN was a professional winner in his latest qualifier and also took care of business in his prior try. Andrew Harris charge seems fit and ready. (10) FLY ON was second in this class last time from a better post.
Race 11
(6) DAVID THE SAINT raced well from post 10 in this class last time out and should have an easier journey moving in a few spots on the gate. (1) WALTZACROSSTHEWIRE has been stuck outside with no shot lately. He missed by only a neck with a mid-pack post three starts back. (9) FOUR STACES moves into a good barn and his prior form was decent; could improve. (7) ROLLING SEA sees a substantial drop in his claiming price, which is certainly concerning.
Race 12
(2) NO EXCUSES perked up on the barn change with Lasix added. If she can reproduce that effort, likely heavy favorite (7) BIZET, who rarely put in a bad effort in 2018, could be in trouble. (8) SEVEN ROSES has enough early speed to get into the race but she settles for second more often than not.
Race 13
(2) SPANISH ART is feeling good right now and shouldn’t miss a beat with Brennan at the controls. (3) ABBEYLARA looks great on paper with three wins in four starts, but he kind of won by default last time. I can’t toss him, but I’d want some value to play. (1) REDLINE RUSTY should be close to the action and get a spot underneath in the exotics. (6) IDEAL CANDIDATE switches barns after some good efforts. Will this 13-year-old keep his form?