Meadowlands: Friday 2/1 Analysis
Best Bet: TWO AM (7th)
Spot Play: DOVER DONY (1st)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 141 - 413 / $819.10 (-$7.00)
BEST BETS: 12 - 33 / $39.20 (-$26.80)
Race 1
(8) DOVER DONY took a shot uncovered and held his ground well in his first start since early November. That was only his first start for this barn and against this highly questionable field, there is no reason to believe he can’t win. (4) P L LOUIGI rallied impressively last time in Canada and certainly figures if he can reproduce that for new connections. (3) TRIXAR can kick home nicely if he behaves in the lane.
Race 2
(3) PAPPY GO GO finds a softer group this week and should have every chance to pick up a win. (2) MISSLAROSE got away with reasonable fractions on the engine and held sway last time. This is another good spot. (6) CASH ME OUT is back on the big track where he has raced well from on or off the pace.
Race 3
(7) RESITA kept his act together at the start and rolled to an easy win last week. He steps up on paper tonight but really doesn’t face a tough group. If he trots, he wins. (2) BIG EXPENSE was short last time after missing four weeks of action. He can compete on his best effort. (1) HAMMER TIME has form and should make some noise if the top pick has issues.
Race 4
(3) IDEAL ROMANCE has been awful since the claim on December 20, so it is no surprise that he now winds up in a new barn. I’m expecting a wake-up call for this high percentage stable. (6) LINDYTHEFOURTEENTH raced evenly from a bad post in his first try for new trainer Vincent Fusco. He draws a bit better and drops in class now. (4) MAGNUM MIKE raced better with Lasix added; contender.
Race 5
(1) TAG UP AND GO has been working himself into shape after spending six weeks on the bench. If he can call on his class, he’s a clear fit with this group. (8) OPULENT YANKEE woke up when at this level two starts back but I have some concerns as to whether he can make the top in this spot. (2) IN SECRET qualified well and this barn has come back firing after missing a couple of weeks. (3) ROCK OF CASHEL is certainly capable but came up flat last time; mixed feelings.
Race 6
(2) TEARFUL OF HAPPY loses driver Yannick Gingras due to barn loyalty but still lays over this field in terms of form and should have no trouble with the class hike. (10) BIG LIS also steps up off a win for a barn that is clicking at 28%; Lasix apparently helped. (3) TALBOT CHANEL came up short after four weeks on the sidelines; class drop now.
Race 7
(3) TWO AM drops down the class ladder and is finally handed a good post. He has no excuses for failure this week. (2) FLY ON is back at the level where he posted two second-place finishes in his last three starts. (8) DERF HANOVER has four straight wins on his page. This is his biggest test to date. (4) SIGNAL HILL raced well last week considering he was coming off a long break in action. He could be ready to show more now.
Race 8
(1) BETTIM JACKIE went down the road in his last start north of the border and looks imposing now moving into the Burke barn. You also get a capable entrymate in (1A) FAMILY ROLL CALL. (4) CHILLIN IT DE VIE was a major disappointment last week and I’m really not sure what to think now. At times during the mile she looked loaded with pace but when she got room was only even. I think Callahan has to either gun her to the front and not look back or just be patient and make one late move. (3) JANUARY A comes off a solid qualifying line at Monticello, though the horse that beat her hasn’t been great in the U.S. (2) LYNBAR ROSE N has been racing well out of town since hitting these shores.
Race 9
(4) CAN DO has a win and three seconds in higher classes the last five times Gingras was in the bike. Off a disappointing mile against a field lacking a standout, he should be a good value option now. (6) EYORE HANOVER broke on the lead and his line shows there was an equipment issue. Maybe this guy deserves a second chance. (2) STITCH IN TIME is down in class and certainly very capable.
Race 10
(8) BEACH BLAST takes a step down in claiming price for a good barn and should have a say at a price. (3) SPANISH ART will be the heavy chalk after making what looked like it could be a break (not charted) on the first turn and just missing in a big effort. That said, he’s been the chalk in his last five starts and has just one win. (4) ABBEYLARA adds Gingras and could improve.
Race 11
(6) CANT U SPELL looked great two starts back and was just steady last time. Switch to Carlson in the bike is a big plus. (8) MONTALBANO BI behaved last week and was a solid second. As usual, if he trots… (4) P L LAYLA was a $12,000 purchase at the Meadowlands Mixed Sale. Maybe the combination of driver and trainer change can make a difference.
Race 12
I’m going to take a shot with (2) IDEAL LIFESTYLE A off a strong qualifier for a barn that has brought in the these imports with success. My only worry is that she didn’t react well when taken off the gate, so she may be a one-trick pony, so to speak. (7) DIVAS IMAGE finished with plenty in the tank versus much better than she tackles this week. She might be closing from last but she’s clearly the one to beat. (6) PENPAL got back in the win column last time and certainly merits consideration. (5) JEWELS FORREAL was an $85,000 purchase at the sale here on January 21 and makes her debut for a decent barn with Gingras in the bike.
Race 13
(9) GRAMMY WINNER split foes with good trot in her recent qualifier, so maybe the switch to the big track and some time off made a big difference. I’m going to take a stab with her here at a double-digit price. (3) BIZET got a test drive from Yannick Gingras on January 4 and he must’ve liked what he saw because he is part of the new ownership group that plunked down $60,000 at the sale for him. Four-year-old will be 3-5 or lower at post time but has missed a month of action. (8) LUCKY SHEILA has been racing well but can’t get over the top. (10) REAL WORLD GOAL raced well in his first start for these connections; worth consideration.