Meadowlands: Friday 3/17 Analysis
Best Bet: APPOMATTOX (8th)
Spot Play: MY CANDY (9th)
Race 1 - $40,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 151 - 494 / $771.60 (-$216.40)
BEST BETS: 21 - 42 / $81.80 (-$2.80)
Race 1
(5) OPULENT YANKEE has found his form in recent weeks and should control his own destiny in terms of trip having drawn inside the other main contenders. (6) MELADY’S MONET scored last week despite making his first start since October; obvious threat again. (2) CROSBYS CLAM BAKE has been taking a back seat since some of the better trotters have returned. (1A) ROSE RUN PARKER was sharp in his last mile here but finds plenty of early zip to his inside.
Race 2
(3) SIM BROWN has been used hard making his way to the lead in recent weeks but should be able to easily get the jump on the two inside of him tonight and work out at least a pocket journey. (5) SCIROCCO JAKOB has proven himself over the last few weeks in this amateur class; must use. (6) KARETS couldn’t sustain his rally last time but seems like a player given a smooth trip.
Race 3
(5) STIMULUS PLAN seems to be a bit quicker off the gate than the other leavers and he should be even sharper in his second start after a month on the shelf. (3) WHO DO YOU LIKE battled with the top pick and overcame an impossible trip to be second. He’ll prove tough again, likely. (6) LEGENDS LUCK took advantage of a duel by the top ones last time and top amateur Roy Marohn will likely provide another solid steer this week.
Race 4
(1) APLOMB HANOVER looked good in his first charted line and faces a field full of question marks and similar unproven types. Let’s give this son of Donato Hanover a shot. (5) UNCLE LEROY was a killer on the Delaware fair scene last year and now debuts for the Jeff Gregory barn. It was nice that he dug in to win his qualifier but I would have liked him to be under less urging. (7) I’LL HAVE ANOTHER should have won last week and didn’t. I have a hard time backing him on top now. (6) DANISH DESIGN draws better and might take a shot at the lead now.
Race 5
A couple of weeks ago we watched as Yannick Gingras won a bunch of races when he took over for Joe Bongiorno in the bike. Whether it was coincidence or not, (6) VRAKA HANOVER presents a similar opportunity with a reasonably sharp horse that should offer some value. (4) KEYSTONE I WISH looked good last week and seems like the horse to beat now. (3) FUTURE LIFE couldn’t keep her winning streak alive last time but was game in defeat. (2) LITTLE MISS MARIE gets a nice driver change to John Campbell.
Race 6
While I’m concerned that (4) ITS PAYDAY FRIDAY is in for the claiming tag when he fits the condition, alternate logic could have you believe he’ll be tight in case of a claim. The versatile 7-year-old didn’t have a perfect gait last week but basically won for fun and seems best again. (6) CLASSICAL ANNIE can’t seem to get over the hump lately but still merits consideration in this class, at least underneath. (3) MONTALBANO BI has been racing well for some time and could be dangerous with the right trip. (2) DANISH DURANGO brushed and weakened late last time; another trip threat.
Race 7
(3) FRANNEY LOVE DAT has been displaying good late speed at Yonkers and now stretches out to the mile track for a barn that seems to win every one of their races here lately. (8) TRUTH AND LIBERTY goes for a hat trick of wins and has the early speed to take charge in a race that could potentially lack many speedsters. (4) NOT BEFORE EIGHT was a winner when last at The Meadowlands and should fit with this group. (7) SHEEZA SHARK N was a bit flat in the lane last week but is very capable of stepping up her game.
Race 8
(8) APPOMATTOX romped versus easier but seemed ready to take on more; again. (5) FUSION POWER has won in this class in the past and is certain to offer high odds. (10) WILBERFORCE drops down the condition ladder for the second straight week and does pick up a hot driver. (7) NOWUCIT NOWUDONT had his issues on the trainer change; don’t ignore him after one tough race.
Race 9
(7) MY CANDY scored at first asking for new connections but found the waters too deep from post eight against Stakes Company last time. I’d be very surprised if she didn’t show up with a top effort. (10) AVA N ELLA gets away from older foes to face a field of her peers; the main danger and likely favorite. (4) CAVIART VELVET picks up a new driver and might surprise in the exotics at a price. (8) DUSTLANEMISSMOLLY has early speed and should be a player underneath.
Race 10
(2) RIDGEWAY SPRINGS moves into the Thomas Merton barn and we’ve seen him pull off some surprises here. In a field without many horses to love, I’ll take a shot. (1) DREAMS OF THUNDER qualified back ok and is certainly fast enough to take these to task if ready. (5) BOB N TONY won a class higher the last time Brett Miller drove and he is stopping by on his way back from Yonkers to drive a pair. Make sure he is showing up before wagering. (6) CELEBRITY STIMULUS makes his second start off the bench and could improve.
Race 11
(3) JUST SAYIN came up flat while trying to rally from last coming off a two month break for new connections. I believe we will see much more this week. (7) CANDY STYX N picks up Callahan this week and an aggressive try would give this veteran mare a shot. (4) GOINROUNDNCIRCLES drops back down to a level where she has had success. (5) GADSDEN HANOVER ships in and picks up Brett Miller.
[DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the NEW FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]