Meadowlands: Friday 1/9 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: 44 - 195 / $273.10 BEST BETS: 6 - 13 / $21.20
Best Bet: PANCAKES (5th)
Spot Play: JUST FINE (2nd)
Race 1
(10) MUSCERENE was a good second last time despite missing nearly five weeks of action. With Yannick Gingras jumping in the bike I’d expect this gelding to show more. (8) MAXIMUS DEO has been racing okay but can’t get over the top. (7) PAPARAZZI kept his mind on business with the hobbles added. He could be along for a share at a big price. (9) ULSTER posted a good qualifier for his new trainer.
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Race 2
(7) JUST FINE never had a serious test as a 3-year-old, but did flash some nice ability before a late-year break. Her return effort was solid and she should be tighter now. (8) WITCH DALI went undefeated in 2014 in just four starts and looks like the obvious favorite. (4) FRISKIE’S ANGEL returned from a layoff with a good try. She could improve but will need a lifetime best performance. (2) SAFE FROM TERROR makes her debut for trainer Ron Burke; respect.
Race 3
(8) PRINCE LAUXMONT hails from a barn that is 0-for-9 at the meet but sports some interesting angles. Gelding drops down from the C-1 to C-2 level, really wasn’t that bad last time, and has some early speed. (7) NEVERDIE posted a nice mile two starts back and was Tetrick’s top pick. (3) ALL ABOUT JUSTICE has some class in his corner. If driver Simons gets aggressive, this 11-year-old could score.
Race 4
(6) DETROIT RAPPER raced well to best Propulsion last start. Rob Harmon trainee has won two straight and should be forwardly placed. (1) LADY WINDSOR also comes off a nice win, but this is a saltier group. (9) CAMBRIDGE flashed some trot at both ends of the mile last time.
Race 5
(8) PANCAKES took plenty of air last time while facing better in her first start since October. She drops to the basement condition tonight and looks very live. (9) FRONTIERPAN also gets class relief and adds Gingras. (6) SUNLIGHT DANCER is at the right level now; chance. (4) ADDYS WAY should make some early noise; exotics player.
Race 6
There are plenty of contenders in this field and I potentially see a quick early pace via #3, 5, 6 & 9. (8) ZOOMING was a fast closing second last time and should offer good value with David Miller opting off. (4) MODEST PRINCE steps up off a win for a barn that was hot last weekend. (6) MISTERY WOMAN only needs a smooth trip to be right there at the wire.
Race 7
(5) CRAZY ON YOU is certainly as fast as any in this field and the mid-pack post gives him some options. With practically the entire field in with a shot to win this tough-to-figure race, I’ll take the price. (6) ICOMMANDMYSPIRIT rallied nicely last time and there seems to be enough early speed to set up her rally. (1) BLUSH HANOVER took a tour of the track last time. She should show more in her second start since September. (10) MOMMA ROCK won at a similar level last week but this field is better. (9) JERSEYLICIOUS is slowly coming into form.
Race 8
(6) TEAM SIX drops back down to a winning level. The last time he faced B-2 types he brushed and crushed; adds Lasix. (2) YOU ROCK MY WORLD raced okay from an outside post and finished up with some sneaky trot in traffic. He got a classification drop to C-1 after that fifth-place effort, but got unlucky to face mostly B-2 horses on Friday. (7) COFFEECAKE HANOVER is a proven competitor at this level.
Race 9
(4) WELL BUILT raced pretty well in his first start since September. This is not an easy spot, but he has as good a shot as any. (1) STITCH IN TIME blew up the tote board at 69-1 when last seen in this C-1 class. (8) ROLLS BLUE CHIP reunites with Gingras; wakes up? (2) OMNIPOTENT is sent out by a trainer that has been in the money with 10 of 18 starters this meet.
Race 10
(3) BABY REMIND ME blasted down the road versus inferior competition last time. I usually don’t like horses switching from NW2 to the C-1 or B-2 levels, but she does appear to be this good. (4) BRING THEM HOME is sharp and should be forwardly placed. (2) PEMBROKE VIOLET drops down and gets her nose on the gate this week; using. (6) THE SUMMER WIND is very sharp; needs pace help.
Race 11
(4) SIXTEEN MIKES drops down and draws well. Yeah, there is at least a chance he’ll get a no-chance drive, but he won’t find a much easier spot at the C-1 level. (5) WALLTOCOUSINS went down the road last time. This field is better but he is sharp. (6) KEYSTONE SADIE has been racing well; using underneath.
Race 12
(4) DONTTELLRUSS scored at first asking for trainer Ron Burke. She faces better foes this week but I have to give her the call because of her tactical early speed. (1A) LOTSA MATZAH impressed me by rallying off poor cover to win in her first start since June; major player. (7) HEX has displayed some ability in limited action.
Race 13
I really do not have a strong opinion here. (6) REAL AMOR showed some late life last time and could be ready to turn the corner. (1) BEST BOSS has been in poor form, but perhaps the driver change and class drop will help. (8) TREVOR’S BEBE was out a long way from the outside post most recently.
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