Meadowlands: Friday 2/17 Analysis
Best Bet: MAJESTIC SUNSET (4th)
Spot Play: FRATERNITY (5th)
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: 121 - 398 / $623.00 (-$173.00)
BEST BETS: 18 - 33 / $73.00 (+$7.00)
Race 1
The trainer/driver combination behind (8) LIGHTNING STRIKE has done very well in these amateur races. Nine-year-old gelding is one of the few with recent experience over the big track and I’d be surprised if John Kokinos wasn’t leaving strong off the gate. (2) SHAGUAR comes in from Northfield off a win and will certainly be in play early. (1) BIEBER HANOVER has no recent form to speak of but does move to a mile track and could show more.
Race 2
It is hard to truly like any of these unreliable horses, but I’ll take a shot with (8) OOH RAH. He comes off consecutive breaks in the slop at Yonkers, which can be overlooked, but put in an impressive wire to wire performance over the same track when fast. (9) GMO PROUD qualified okay for his new barn. Let’s see what he has in the tank in his first start since September. (10) I’M LOOKING AT YOU changes barns and switches to The Meadowlands. He seems to have turned the corner with hobbles added. (7) I’LL HAVE ANOTHER has five career wins, tying him with the rest of the field combined. (2) CELEBRITY TSIPRAS put in a decent qualifier at Saratoga with Lasix added. Perhaps the medication, combined with a couple of months of off-time, has this guy ready to turn the corner.
Race 3
(1) APPOMATTOX returned from a near four month layoff with a solid qualifier behind a quality trotter who is racing three classes higher on this same card. Veteran performer has a big shot here at what should be a healthy mutuel. (2) WINEMASTER HANOVER continues to travel from barn to barn while picking up top checks each week. He’ll be heard from early and might just control the action in a field without too much gate speed. (5) I C CAVIAR has been racing better of late and might be a major player late if he can actually work out a trip. (3) WORTH THE MONEY AS & (6) HILL I AM drop down but really aren’t facing a much easier field; trip chance.
Race 4
(2) MAJESTIC SUNSET should be able to take care of business tonight without too much trouble. (4) BUFF settled for second behind the top choice a couple of times already and is likely looking at another backseat. (5) KEYSTONE BLADE faces easier tonight and I guess a wake-up is possible. (3) CRIMINAL ELEMENT spent a bunch of time on the rim upon arrival; deserves another shot.
Race 5
(1) FRATERNITY takes a step down the claiming ladder and finds a mostly dull field of competitors. Seven-year-old should perk up in a hurry. (4) HAPPY NEW YEAR chased some legitimate open level horses in his one qualifier. That should have him tight tonight. (7) SALEVSTER STALLION finds a softer group this week and wouldn’t be the worst stab at a healthy price. (3) FOOLS GOLD comes in sharp from Monticello but wasn’t exactly racing well when last seen here.
Race 6
(7) TRUTH AND LIBERTY comes off a toss-out effort from post seven at Yonkers but was a solid second in her previous race. Mare was facing better and performing well when last at The Meadowlands and really should be very tough in this spot. (4) FANTICIPATION does her best work when she can sit in the top couple of spots and couldn’t quite get there from post 10 last time; upset chance. (8) BLUSH HANOVER is plenty sharp, but she could find herself having to sweep the field to win.
Race 7
(7) MUSCLE DIAMOND & (8) B YOYO finished one-two against many of these foes last week. I’ll give the edge this time to the former on the positive post switch this week. (5) CROSBYS CLAM BAKE set the pace and came up flat last Friday. He still merits inclusion on pick 4 tickets as a back-up option. (6) ROSE RUN PARKER qualified back nicely as one of six winners for the Burke/Gingras combo that morning. Despite that good showing, I think she may need one start.
Race 8
(7) DANISH DURANGO doesn’t look overly appealing on paper, but he does get more class relief while coming off a mile that was a step in the right direction. If he can improve only slightly, he wins. (2) POSSESSED FASHION tired on the engine in his first start since September. (1) DOWNUNDERMATTER squeezes into this race under the sub condition. If he brings his best game, he can certainly win. (5) ENJOY THE JOURNEY couldn’t sustain her rally after missing two months of action; clear threat tonight.
Race 9
(9) CLASSICAL ANNIE is certainly in an easier spot this week and barring a major traffic issue from the outside post, she should be able to handle this field. (5) CLEMENTINE DREAM came up flat last Friday but I’m willing to give her another shot. (2) WINDSONG ILLUSION is sharp and retains Marohn over three others.
Race 10
(3) O U SEXY GUY came up short in the stretch against a slightly better group last time. I’ll take a shot with Yannick Gingras signed on to drive. (2) STARSABOVEALLERAGE is fairly consistent and should be forwardly placed. (4) FOX VALLEY STEFFEN lured Brett Miller off my top pick and is coming off a win. (8) EXQUISITE GLIDE failed after rating the fractions a week ago. I’m guessing he’ll revert to off-the-pace tactics this time.
Race 11
(6) QUICK DRAFT A finished with some late life from an impossible spot in her U.S. debut. She made a good amount of money Down Under and I certainly expect improvement tonight. (1) ODDS ON KEY WEST was parked every step last Friday. A smoother trip should make her very viable as a top play. (9) MELANIES SHARKETTE is extremely sharp and a must on at least the exotic tickets. (4) ICOMMANDMYSPIRIT has the back class but lacks form; tough to love her at this point.
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