Meadowlands: Friday 3/3 Analysis
Best Bet: APPOMATTOX (10th)
Spot Play: LEGENDS LUCK (2nd)
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: 131 - 430 / $658.20 (-$201.80)
BEST BETS: 20 - 36 / $79.20 (+$7.20)
Race 1
(6) TRUTH AND LIBERTY finally got over the top in 2017 last week and should prove tough again against a hybrid race with mostly lower level competition. (5) SOFT IDEA raced evenly in her first start of the year and could certainly step forward with that race under her belt. (2) ICOMMANDMYSPIRIT is starting to feel good now; has back class.
Race 2
(2) LEGENDS LUCK went an even mile from an outside post after missing five weeks of action. I’m expecting a much better performance this time around. (8) DRUNKEN TERROR was very sharp racing for Surick and should be able to maintain that form for at least one start. (9) WHO DO YOU LIKE proved strong and tough in this series last week. The outside post seems likely to hurt his chances in here, but if the price was double-digits, I wouldn’t hesitate to try him again. (4) STIMULUS PLAN was a killer when last seen in this barn and deserves plenty of respect. (3) LIGHTNING STRIKE is another with a shot in a wide-open event.
Race 3
(5) MAJESTIC SUNSET has been on quite a roll and had no trouble with the class hike to this level last time out; keep riding the wave. (8) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN already has a couple of wins versus this class; main danger. (6) AMELIOSI has the speed to compete if trainer Jenny Melander has her ready off the bench.
Race 4
(1) PRETTY PHYLLY G has been taking steps in the right direction of late and really does catch a soft field tonight. (4) WILD WHISKEY has a string of second-place finishes at Dover. Maybe the big track will help. (7) BEND IN THE RIVER was second in this class in his previous appearance here.
Race 5
(5) SIXTEEN MIKES has been facing decent foes out of town and should fit in nicely with this bunch for new trainer Andrew Harris. (2) STARSABOVEALLERAGE has been fairly steady of late and is a must use underneath. Can he get over the top? (6) ITS CHOCOLATE TIME falls into the same boat as the former; exotics must. (4) FLEET BUMBLEBEE comes in from out of town with enough pure speed to play with this group.
Race 6
(5) WIND OF THE NORTH came back from vacation with a strong effort at Dover last time. Classy veteran should be tighter and ready to roll now. (6) OPULENT YANKEE comes off a win while his competition are both off qualifiers. I could see why some people will lean here. (7) DW’S NY YANK is a millionaire coming off a strong qualifier for Burke; dangerous.
Race 7
(7) MCACE OF ARTS was a different horse in his qualifier for new trainer Patti Harmon. I’ve seen a bunch of new acquisitions from this barn come through lately. (6) MANDY’S MATTJESTY had a tough trip on the half last time and could seriously perk up moving to The Meadowlands in her third start back from a break. (3) SAGE N is another back from a layoff making her second start; could improve.
Race 8
(8) MARTZ TIME jumped it off in his first start for this barn and shouldn’t be tossed quite yet against a field with no killers. (7) MONTALBANO BI worked out a sweet trip and handled the jump to this level last Friday; one to beat now. (6) CAN DO gets some needed class relief and could be put in play early by Steve Smith. (1) CLEMENTINE DREAM should push away nicely from the cones and get a nice piece.
Race 9
(4) TAKE MY PICTURE returned from some time off and scored at Freehold. He takes on a tougher task now but should be very live with Brett Miller in the bike. (3) VEGLIATINO returns to The Meadowlands at a reduced level and is eligible to wake up. (2) FOX VALLEY STEFFEN is sharp but steps up again; using more underneath.
Race 10
(6) APPOMATTOX came up a bit flat in his first start off the bench. Now catch-driver Corey Callahan takes over the lines and this guy should win as the chalk. (7) ANDOVERS TOUCH was done in by post 10 most recently; class and post relief tonight. (3) KEYSTONE THOMAS makes his second start off the layoff. Can we simply throw out last week’s clunker due to the bad post? (8) PLAYBOY RUSTY also drops down in class; not impossible.
Race 11
(1) I’M THE REAL MAJOR double-drops in claiming price and could easily find himself against a field with no clear standouts. (2) DAYLON HORIZON just missed last time and now gets a better post to work with; possible fave with Miller driving. (4) THE POKESTER comes off an upset victory and perhaps he can build on that. (6) TIJUANA PARTY has the early speed to make his presence felt; one of many contenders. (9) MAJO JUST DO IT bested #2 last time but got the worst of the post draw.
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