Meadowlands: Friday 2/8 Analysis
Best Bet: SPANISH ART (13th)
Spot Play: DOVER DONY (1st)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 147 - 439 / $848.50 (-$29.50)
BEST BETS: 13 - 35 / $42.60 (-$27.40)
Race 1
(3) DOVER DONY tried to push away from the gate strong but that wasn’t in the cards from the outside post. He moves to the inside of the gate now and should have a big shot at a fair price. (1) HAMMER CREEK has finished second or third in half of his 26 career starts with only one win. Four-year-old will be bet and has a chance but is hard to endorse to win. (7) HAVEONEFORME rolled home late to win at first asking; outside post hurts.
Race 2
(4) IN SECRET came back from vacation with a sharp mile and just seems too classy for this group. (1) ARRAKIS had to wait for room and trotted home willingly versus better last week. As much as I want to pick him, the top one would need to make a mistake to lose. (8) OPULENT YANKEE is always dangerous due to his early speed, but I’m using him underneath only.
Race 3
(10) PARKIN IN HEAVEN almost rallied from last three starts back to win in this class from a bad post and won when she landed inside two back. I think you’ll get value on this one. (7) BYE HANOVER broke in her first start for this barn but qualified with good late trot; another source of value. (1) BACKSEAT TERROR should sit close to the action and get into the number. (6) WELL SAID MARIA qualified back nicely and seems likely to be overbet for the red hot Burke/Gingras combination. (8) YOU SHOULD BE HERE finished nicely last time and a couple from this barn did well.
Race 4
(8) CELEBRITY LOVER faces a relatively blank field with a bunch that tend to break. Despite the seven-week break in action, I’ll take a shot since he has shown early speed in the past and is dropping in claiming price. (3) MONTALBANO BI moves to an inside post and might be able to relax early and pick up cover. He’s capable if he behaves but is typically an underlay. (1) BELL A CHICK comes off a good mile but tends to be hit and miss.
Race 5
I certainly missed (4) MASTER OF PUPPETS at 12-1 last week but this looks like a decent spot where he can gun to the front again and sit a fine trip. Price should be lower this time but still fair value. (1) FOUR STACES didn’t do much from the outside post last time as a heavy chalk. I’m going to use him here but there is a chance his form spree has ended. (10) SIPPIN ON SUDS returns from a long break and drops in for a cheap tag; mixed feelings. (6) MAGNUM MIKE rolled versus cheaper last time; dangerous off cover.
Race 6
(4) TAG UP AND GO saved ground and rallied well versus the classy In Secret last week. With the presence of (5) DI OGGI in the field, the price should remain good. The latter was given a tough trip and rallied strongly from an impossible spot. Off that trip and given the driver change tonight, he’ll be an underlay. (7) BASTILLE has the early speed to make the top and get an exotics spot.
Race 7
(9) TROLLEY is clearly the best horse right now in this race. The outside post isn’t ideal, but he has just enough versatility to make it work. (6) CASH ME OUT & (7) TWO AM are capable from off the pace and either could rally late for a big shot. (8) MISSLAROSE stole the race last week and I just don’t see how she gets away soft from this starting spot; playing against.
Race 8
(6) JANUARY A went a big mile and kept trying hard in the stretch in her first start in the U.S. Despite the double jump in class on paper, I’ll take a shot with her. (1) KAK’S SHARK ATTACK & (1A) INVERSE HANOVER form a strong team from trainer Jeff Cullipher and either could win if they come even close to their best game. (9) PENPAL is probably the best horse in the race but is done no favors with post 10 since she doesn’t often show early speed.
Race 9
(6) QUIET GIANT was done in by post 10 last time. Now in his fourth start back from a few months off, I could see a wake-up performance versus a field without a standout. (8) P L KETCHUP looks bad on paper, but we are getting a trainer change to Jenn Bongiorno and a driver change to Gingras. The money will likely be down and the price will be poor. (1) DOWNUNDERMATTER won but was disqualified at this level a few starts back; very capable. (2) LUCRATIVE SON behaved in his qualifier. Ready to turn it around?
Race 10
(6) FANCY CREEK JOLENE had no shot from post 8 at Yonkers last week. She returns to The Meadowlands at a reduced level and looks as good as any in the field. (1) STYLISH BEACHWARE should be closer to the action starting from the inside this week. (3) THE SPINSTER N picked up a win with Lasix added last time and might be able to continue to roll. (9) ROCKIN PRALINE is certainly in a good spot but hasn’t raced in months. She may be worth using in the Pick 4 in case she is ready.
Race 11
(1) BIG EXPENSE gets another class drop this week and doesn’t face many sharp horse on the way up the ladder. (9) NEWCASTLE should be tighter after getting a start under his belt last week; adds Gingras. (4) CASINO CUTIE IT has been racing well for Mullin/Carlson.
Race 12
(2) MAX VOLO is as fast as any of these on paper and the switch to the inside post could afford him the opportunity to sit close and pounce late; live longshot. (7) LUCKY SHEILA is another with early speed and she has been sticking around for a good share often enough. (1) CHIEF JUSTICE added hobbles and turned things around in a hurry. I’m not ready to beat this guy at 3-5. (8) ALVISI HANOVER finished in a dead-heat with #1 last time.
Race 13
(1) SPANISH ART sat behind a slow pace and lost any shot last week. He should take care of business here as the chalk. (2) ABBEYLARA hasn’t been sharp of late but faces a mostly blank group. (4) JUST N BERLANDER scored at this level two starts back. (8) SPORTS COWBOY could be a player if hustled away from the gate.