Meadowlands: Friday 3/13 Analysis

MEET STATS: 236-57-49-41 / $328.60 (-$143.40)
BEST BETS: 18-7-2-1 / $30.40 (-$5.60)
BEST BET: GOTWUTEVERITTAKES (3rd)
SPOT PLAY: SILK Z TAM (4th)

Race 1 – GSY Amateur Series - **$40K GTD Pick 5**

(1) SCIROCCO MISTYSAID rolled to impressive score when last seen two weeks back. This is the one horse in the Silva barn that seems to be firing on all cylinders right now and I expect an aggressive steer. (5) STEVE SAID got off slowly and lost all chance last time. New driver Joe Lee should change tactics. (9) FRANKANDJOANNE has form but a difficult post to overcome.

Race 2 – Non-winners 6-7 races or $90,000-$100,000 life

(5) OBERTO finally gets away from the outside posts and as a closer the shorter field tonight helps. If Berry can set him up in a decent flow, watch out! (2) ALL AMERICAN N raced well after five weeks on the sidelines and could show more now. (7) GRANDMA HEIDI has early speed and form; hard to toss.

Race 3 – Non-winners 3-4 races or $35,000-$51,000 life

(5) GOTWUTEVERITTAKES took some action at the windows and broke early last time out. His prior races were fine and this spot is a clear class drop. They’ll likely have to catch him to win. (1) ARVIKA raced ok in series action north of the border. The month off is a concern, but perhaps the driver and trainer changes will make a difference. (9) GALIXTON also arrived from Woodbine but found the company too tough last week. The class drop should help. (6) GODSPELL HALL qualified in good order behind a top horse on Saturday. Dunn has won with him in the past.

Race 4 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less – Pick 6

(4) SILK Z TAM raced reasonably well from off the pace in her first start since December. Trainer/driver Pat Lachance could have her ready with that start under her belt. (2) WALK FROM HEAVEN raced well in the one recent start from an inside post at Freehold and Gingras seems likely to put her in play. (6) POINTTOHEAVEN has speed and form, plus Dunn hops in the bike. She’ll be overbet for sure. (3) DANGEROUSPRECEDENT has been on a roll but changes barns now; hard to ignore.

Race 5 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5

In a mixed bottom-level conditioned race that combines Trackmaster Ratings ranging from 67 to 86, (2) STARSABOVEALLERAGE arrives from Monticello where he was facing the best at the track. Veteran has proven himself here in the past and he’s perfectly spotted. (7) CROSSFIT has questionable form but takes a serious drop in class. Burke/Gingras charge needs to be respected. (6) CYCLONE MAXIMUS fell to this class last time and didn’t get the job done; not dismissing him yet. (1) BROADWAY PROMISE is a trip threat if he feels good.

Race 6 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5 - **$50K GTD Pick 4**

(4) EYE OF THE TIGER AS broke last time versus a much, much better group. Prior to that start he was racing well in a higher class. He’s one of many contenders in a wide-open affair. (1) BUEN CAMINO is a classy old guy who is capable of waking up at any moment. (2) IN SECRET returns from Yonkers to the scene of his last win. This field is tougher, but he can play with this group. (7) SAY YOU DO hasn’t been as sharp lately while up in class but could still light up the board with his best effort.

Race 7 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less

(5) TAILGUNNER HANOVER couldn’t handle that much time on the rim last week and weakened in the stretch. He won in this class two starts back and seems as good a pick as any in a soft field. (8) OUR ART IN HEAVEN had every chance and hung in the lane last time. After that performance and from the outside post, I’m a bit hesitant. (3) MODERN YANKEE improved in his second start off the bench and could show more now. Even if he doesn’t he’s a contender. (6) LYON’S IMAGE changed tactics and showed life last time; coming into form?

Race 8 – Non-winners $5,000 in last 5

(1) SPECTRE returns to the Big M at a reduced level . His form isn’t great but his ability should shine bright in this field. (8) INFINITI AS has been racing well of late and only needs a reasonable trip to threaten from the outside post. (2) LUCKY SHEILA is a capable horse picking up a top driver. (3) SMOKEE MIRRORS exits the claiming ranks for a high percentage barn.

Race 9 – Non-winners $7,500 in last 5

(7) JB’S SHOOTING STAR couldn’t last on the engine last time but I honestly prefer her from off the pace. I’m not giving up on her yet. (5) AMERICAN SARA and (1) QUITE A SIGHT don’t have great form and hail from a barn that has struggled some lately, but when you look at the competition they both look playable. (2) EXOTIC DANCE picks up Dexter Dunn and may perk up in a hurry; using.

Race 10 – Preferred Handicap - **$40K GTD Pick 4**

Driver Tim Tetrick will leave Yonkers and make a pit stop at The Meadowlands just to drive (5) SOUTHWIND CHROME. The task won’t be easy considering this guy hasn’t raced since December 27, but he did qualify sharply and Tetrick went a huge mile with him the last time he sat in the bike. (4) MUSCLE DIAMOND could be an interesting value play as he can close a ton and this field is loaded with potential early speed players. (6) JL CRUZE was used hard making the top from post eight at Dover last time. His prior races here were solid.

Race 11 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5

There are no standouts in this field and it is hard to feel confident about any selection. With that in mind I’ll stick with my pick from last week (9) ILANA Z TAM. She was a bit flat trying to come from behind on a night where speed and inside trips did well. The outside post isn’t ideal here, but she’s good enough to overcome. (5) MARY CATHERINE A finally moves more towards the middle of the gate and perhaps Berry will coax some early speed out of her. (4) MANHATTAN PLAY raced better on the class drop a week ago.

Race 12 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less

(3) OH JONNY B GOOD N switches to the big track, gets a driver change to Gingras and drops in claiming price. Against a weak field, those are enough angles for me. (5) BLUEBIRD GOLDWYN adds Dunn here. Maybe he gets more out of him. (4) WINNING CHIP wasn’t going far from the back at Pocono after missing five months of action. We’ll have a better idea of where he stands tonight.

Race 13 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5

(5) BETTOR TRIX N was giving driver Drew Monti some trouble and wound up making a break (charted as equipment break) as the gate pulled away. Dunn handled him successfully in a recent qualifier and should have him forwardly placed. (9) ANGEL’S PRIDE has missed a bunch of time but shows competitive lines at Yonkers versus better company. (2) APPLE HANOVER is probably best down one level but could compete with the right trip. (4) SUDDEN PASSING dropped and popped last time.