Meadowlands: Friday 3/31 Analysis
Best Bet: MAJOR SYN (1st)
Spot Play: MCACE OF ARTS (11th)
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: 160 - 540 / $823.00 (-$257.00)
BEST BETS: 23 - 46 / $90.00 (-$2.00)
Race 1
(1) MAJOR SYN put in a credible effort for third against two horses that jumped off the page last week. That was her first start since July and a small step forward should make her very competitive in this spot. (7) DUSTLANEMISSMOLLY has a string of good efforts at this level including a win last time out; one to beat. (5) MY CANDY returns to The Meadowlands where she was second against similar two starts back.
Race 2
(6) WHO DO YOU LIKE was on his way to the winner’s circle when he jumped a piece of paper in deep stretch and went off stride. This race did come up slightly tougher, but there veteran amateur Bob Davis should have him in a good position. (2) SO TAKE THAT couldn’t be any sharper having won three straight and figures to be odds-on with Hannah Miller in the bike. (3) IDEAL RACE picked up a win when the top choice stumbled late a week ago. This barn has been doing slightly better of late.
Race 3
(3) CZECH IT OUT missed a few weeks and was just even upon arrival from Pompano. Sometimes the climate change coming north plays a role and it takes a start for a horse to acclimate. This looks like a good spot. (8) TROTALOT has put together a couple of good efforts and has the early speed to overcome the outside post. (1) A J DESTINY is clearly as fast as any in here and now switches to the big track. (6) AMALFI COAST raced well with this group last time.
Race 4
(9) SOUTHWIND PEARL trotted away in good order but broke as she was settling in along the pylons. She did finish that race with broken equipment and was facing a much better group of NW2 foes. (3) VITA BELLA BI kept her act together on Friday after showing plenty of breaks in her past performance lines. Maybe Team Miller has corrected the issues with this gal. (1) CHAPTER TOO is another with a history of breaking issues that kept his act together in her first start of 2017. (8) BDONKADONK HANOVER finished up her qualifier very nicely. If she had an inside post and a catch-driver, I’d be on board.
Race 5
(7) I’M LOOKING AT YOU has done his best work on the bigger track at The Meadowlands and this week trainer ‘Buzzy’ Sholty enlists a Hall of Famer to drive. (9) UNCLE LEROY looks like a serious player if you ignore the break last time. (8) PERSEVERANCE moves into a new barn that has done well with trotters. (2) GYM RAT kept his act together in the morning and will try to carry that over to the evening.
Race 6
(3) APPOMATTOX has come back from winter vacation in fine form. Eight-year-old has the back class to roll with these when at his best. (7) OPULENT YANKEE won two straight in this class before Melady’s Monet came back from his layoff. That foe is gone now, which makes Yankee the clear one to beat. (5) CLASSICAL ANNIE continues to lack a killer instinct in the stretch; using underneath only.
Race 7
I’m finding this opening leg of the late pick four to be quite tricky. The one thing that sticks out for me is that (6) INITTOWINAFORTUNE should be able to make the top and secure good position. I’ll roll with that and likely spread deep in this sequence. (3) MOSQUITO BLUE CHIP raced better than I expected last week and certainly took more money than I thought. This gal used to be a top filly and perhaps she is ready to tap into that ability. (4) SHEEZA SHARK N was better in her latest start and we know she can handle this crew when right. (2) ANALYZE finished a solid third in this class behind a talented 4-year-old in Penpal last time.
Race 8
(7) KOLBEE’S STAR gets class relief as a few others in here do as well. I’M going to lean his way as his recent form is solid. (1) SWIFT WARRIOR was a winner when last seen at this NW5000 level. (6) PLAYBOY RUSTY steps up off a decent effort and does have the early speed to make some noise. (5) HOT SUMMER KNIGHT loomed last time but lacked enough in the stretch after chasing slower fractions; capable.
Race 9
(6) MAKERS MASS had a perfect trip last week and closed well for second in his first start for trainer Julie Miller. A similar effort tonight should make him tough to beat. (2) BIG BILL BREEZE qualified well enough and it seems like every horse returning from a layoff for this barn is sharp and ready. (3) STARSABOVEALLERAGE picks up David Miller this week as he returns from a long Florida hiatus. (5) WISENHEIMER broke in his first start since December 2015 at Freehold. Maybe the big track will help this formerly speedy trotter.
Race 10
(2) ITS PAYDAY FRIDAY was rolling along and broke in his last appearance. Callahan is back in the bike now and he drove him well two starts back. (4) BATTLE MAGE was very impressive last week. (3) SHEER FLEX won his qualifier easily and is clearly a player if ready to go. (5) MONTALBANO BI is not as sharp as he was but can certainly win here.
Race 11
(1) MCACE OF ARTS has been disappointing since moving into the Patti Harmon barn, but she does double-drop in class this week and faced traffic last time while appearing to have something left in the tank. (5) KEYSTONE I WISH has won three straight and could help us get value on the top choice. (2) FOUR HOUR NAP should save ground from the inside post and play a role in the exotics. (8) PANCAKES comes back from a break at a reduced level and I wouldn’t be shocked if she raced well.
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