Meadowlands: Friday 3/10 Analysis
Best Bet: MAJESTIC SUNSET (2nd)
Spot Play: INTOVIEW (9th)
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: 143 - 462 / $730.60 (-$193.40)
BEST BETS: 21 - 39 / $81.80 (+$3.80)
Race 1
(4) MUSCLE DIAMOND finally gets a good post to work with this week and that is combined with a clear conditioning edge over a couple of his rivals. This is a good spot. (2) DW’S NY YANK makes his second start back from a long break and presumably will be putting forth a more involved effort. (6) OPULENT YANKEE seeks his third straight but is far from a sure thing against a solid field.
Race 2
(6) MAJESTIC SUNSET has won four straight races and gets to take his third straight in this class on Friday. It is hard to play against him, even at the likely 1-5 off odds. (1) ANGEL CINDY did okay in her first start for this barn and looks to be in a good position for second. (9) AMELIOSI failed in her first start back from vacation but deserves another chance.
Race 3
(4) WHO DO YOU LIKE wired similar two starts back from an inside post and raced well from the back last time. He is far from a lock, but looks solid on paper. (3) CASH CAB comes off a decent win at Freehold and hails from a barn that is capable of winning here. (6) LEGENDS LUCK won this amateur race last week with a great trip; repeat not impossible. (7) LIGHTNING STRIKE has been a bridesmaid the last two weeks in this class.
Race 4
While there is no doubt (5) PRETTY PHYLLY G will be the favorite and is the horse to beat, it is hard to have confidence in him as the chalk. (6) I’LL HAVE ANOTHER did the dirty work in the race won by #5 last week and gets a key driver change to Corey Callahan tonight. I’ll take a shot with him and hope trainer Daniel Gill can finally pick up a win at the meet. (9) DANISH DESIGN moves into a barn that has seen some success here recently. (3) CINAMON PRAYER raced well in her career debut.
Race 5
(1) UF FAST FEELIN seems to be rounding into form in recent weeks and should prove tough in this spot. (4) TIJUANA PARTY has key early speed and good form; clear threat. (6) JOJO JOVE comes in with the question marks of a scratched-injured line and a break in recent weeks, but looking back further he fits nicely with this group. (7) MR JULIAN romped at 57-1 a week ago. Can he do it again?
Race 6
(5) SHEEZA SHARK returned from winter vacation with a sharp winning mile at Freehold and should be ready to stretch back out on the mile track. (3) THE SUMMER WIND was handled conservatively and finished his mile evenly last time. She can do better if put in play. (6) ICOMMANDMYSPIRIT has early speed and form; hard to toss. (4) SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR is another racing well now that merits a look on deeper pick four tickets.
Race 7
I see plenty of ways to go in this opening leg of the late pick four. Ultimately I’m going to roll the dice with a longshot in (10) FASHION CREDITOR, who has a good deal of back class and rallied nicely in his lone comeback qualifier. Let’s hope there is a good outer flow to get him into the race. (3) NOWUCIT NOWUDONT & (2) DANISH DURANGO are both sharp and should be right there as the co-favorites. (6) STARSABOVEALLERAGE gets some needed class relief and seems worth a look.
Race 8
(7) ITS PAYDAY FRIDAY rallied nicely for second last time out and could be even better with only two weeks between starts instead of four; barn is having a pretty good meet. (8) UVA HANOVER comes out of some tough Dover races and has succeeded here in the past. (6) CLASSICAL ANNIE is clearly capable of winning this race but can’t seem to close the deal lately. (5) MONTALBANO BI couldn’t be in better form.
Race 9
I typically wait for (2) INTOVIEW to reach the NW5000 level before selecting her on top, but this race comes up pretty light for a NW8500 and she should be in the thick of the action from her inside starting slot. (5) CUT AND PASTE qualified well behind a top older mare and could be up to the task tonight. (1) JOYFUL GAME & (1A) WHISKERSONKITTENS form a strong entry from trainer Rick Dane Jr and deserve consideration for all board spots.
Race 10
(6) CAN DO lost to a pair of horses last week that would clearly be favored in this spot. Veteran should be on the move early for the hot-hand driver Marohn. (3) CANTAD KID moves to the big track on Friday and seems to fit with this group. (8) WAITING ON A WOMAN finally picked up his first win of the year a week ago, but it did take a soft half and a speed-favoring track to get the job done.
Race 11
(10) MCACE OF ARTS raced steadily from the back of the pack in his first start for new trainer Patti Harmon. Another outside post looms here but there is no reason to go easy since even a win would allow her another shot in this condition next week. (6) SHE’S HEAVENLY was blocked last time while under a tight hold and should be better tonight. (8) UF DRAGON’S QUEEN & SAGE N are both dropping in class and finished ahead of my top choice a week ago; hard to toss.
[DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the NEW FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]