Meadowlands: Friday 2/10 Analysis
Best Bet: BETABCOOL N (6th)
Spot Play: CLEMENTINE DREAM (8th)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Race 7 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 115 - 375 / $601.60 (-$148.40)
BEST BETS: 16 - 31 / $67.00 (+$5.00)
Race 1
(9) BUFF gets away from perhaps a more talented foe in Majestic Sunset. Four-year-old has no excuses tonight. (4) LION BRAND qualified well and now Johnson has had him long enough to work out the kinks. (8) CRIMINAL ELEMENT goes from NW3 and NW4 at Dover to NW2 here; could enjoy the switch.
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Race 2
This race is basically the Open dressed up in a NW16000. While we only get six horses, the presence of many early speed players makes in very interesting. Ultimately I think (5) CROSBYS CLAM BAKE is the speed of the speed and could take charge at a fair price while never looking back. (6) MUSCLE DIAMOND beat the top choice last week when he had the post edge and rated very soft fractions. If they do mix it up on the engine, he’ll be charging late as the likely fave. (3) WAR CRY HALL has plenty of back class and form to go with it.
Race 3
I’m at a bit of a loss here and my opinion is somewhat weak in a NW7500 that looks more like a NW5000. (6) STARSABOVEALLERAGE had no shot from post 9 last Friday and could be forwardly placed in a paceless race like this one. (8) ANDOVERS TOUCH swept the field the last time he faced a field of this caliber. (2) KEYSTONE BLADE is one of the most likely early speed players and maybe he can get away from these. (3) I LUV BLACKHAWKRED was facing better when last seen here.
Race 4
I’m going to take a stab with longshot (1) TIME WILL TELL ALL. He has raced well here in the past with Callahan in the bike and it is hard to get too excited about many of the others signed on. (6) WINEMASTER HANOVER is the clear one to beat at potentially short odds. While he looks pretty solid on paper, he doesn’t exactly have the smoothest gait in the world. (7) FLYING ISA N is down in class and capable of romping if he finds his best game.
Race 5
(5) WORTH THE MONEY AS drops down and adds Gingras to the team; intriguing. (6) LONG STORY SHORT stays at the same level but arguably is in against easy than he has faced recently; very capable. (1) HYWAY MARCUS is another dropping in class. He seems to be behaving now and could certainly wake up. (2) ROSE RUN QUICKLEY won two starts back in this class.
Race 6
I didn’t see the qualifier at Yonkers from (1) BETABCOOL N, but it certainly appears that this Down Under import is the real deal. With 14 wins in 67 career starts and showing some fast times in Australia, I’m inclined to get on board early. (5) ODDS ON KEY WEST finished with some interest in her first start off the bench and should be tough with another move forward. (7) MELANIES SHARKETTE goes for her third straight but faces a more difficult task against this field.
Race 7
(1) SWIFT WARRIOR was a sharp winner in his debut for trainer Patti Harmon despite making his first start since early October. I’ll stick with this guy. (3) I C CAVIAR went a huge mile while parked out and now gets to drop down. (4) O U SEXY GUY raced reasonably well from the back last week. I’d like to see some early speed in this spot. (7) MARION MILLIONAIR comes off a win against an easier group at this same level; Gingras drives.
Race 8
(5) CLEMENTINE DREAM does her best work on the engine and hasn’t had much opportunity to take charge versus tough competition at Yonkers lately. Seven-year-old knows how to win here and finds a good spot to shine. (1) CAN DO should push away from the cones and be in with a big chance if the top one comes up short. (8) WATKINS would be much more interesting from an inside post; trip player tonight. (4) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN has reeled off consecutive scores against much easier; big test tonight.
Race 9
(3) ICOMMANDMYSPIRIT sports some dull form at Yonkers but I’m betting she perks up here at The Meadowlands. She’s won over this track before and this seems like a good spot. (10) FANTICIPATION has the speed to overcome the outside draw and has done it before at this level. (1) UF DRAGON’S QUEEN also has a recent win in this NW8500 condition and draws better. (4) BLUSH HANOVER steps up in decent form and keeps Miller over #1. (6) QUICK DRAFT A is another Australian import for the same connections as race 7-#1. She made a good living down there.
Race 10
(4) IDEAL ROCKY ships in from The Meadows for a barn that tends to bring them in live. Former 2-year-old standout has a big chance to perk up on the big track. (8) SO TAKE THAT comes off what looks like a bad line but was very hard to steer that night and seemed to have a broken headpole. He drops down this week and could be a very interesting price play. (5) CHOCOLATE CRACKERS takes two steps down the class ladder and seems likely to still offer at least fair value; using. (6) TITUS SEELSTER has dangerous early speed and should be involved.
Race 11
(1A) AVA N ELLA came to play in her Meadowlands return with Lasix added and only needs a reasonable trip from post 10 to take another picture. (7) GURL BAND K proved she is a serious full as a 2-year-old. If ready to fire off the bench, this Rock N Roll Heaven filly can give the top choice all she can handle. (9) MAMA ROCKED ME has been consistently good in her career and is an exotics must and a win possibility. (8) TOTAL MISS should be along for a share of the exotics.
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