Meadowlands: Friday 3/8 Analysis
Best Bet: GRUBICH GIRL (9th)
Spot Play: ROUNDTOWN ROCKER (3rd)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 166 - 517 / $959.70 (-$74.30)
BEST BETS: 15 - 41 / $51.40 (-$30.60)
Race 1
Is it possible that (5) MY LINDY WINNER can return from a 10-month break off just a 2:04 4/5 qualifier at Monticello? I think the answer is yes. The Harmon stable is very good with trotters and the connections have hung onto this guy for a long time, so you know there is ability here. (9) B MEDISTRIKE did a good job to finish sixth considering he broke twice. Let’s look for some equipment changes. (1) WINGS OF SPEED seems likely to take a ton of tote action off a great-looking qualifier on paper. For me the effort was just ok.
Race 2
Knowing (6) PENPAL will have to sweep the field makes her a tough bet for the faint of heart, but she truly is best of this group. (1) CLEAR IDEA jumps two classes on paper but this is closer to a NW11500 than a NW15000. Classy veteran is sharp now. (3) FAMILY ROLL CALL has speed and decent form; using underneath.
Race 3
(8) ROUNDTOWN ROCKER raced evenly off the bench last week and now draws into a great spot on the class drop. (2) CAN’TCUTTHATCHIP also drops down to the basement condition and gets a good post to work with as well; using. (3) FROST FREE HANOVER put in an even effort after missing more than three months of action. He can show more here. (9) TECH TITAN is capable but likely to be an underlay.
Race 4
(10) DO YOUR JOB returned from a break with a credible effort at Freehold. Veteran drew poorly but catches a very soft group and lured Callahan off some other potential contenders. (2) SPILLING THE BEANS arrives from Pompano by way of Saratoga and seems sharp enough to compete. (3) TEARFUL OF HAPPY hasn’t been the same since she left the Burke barn. Maybe new trainer Logan Powell can figure her out.
Race 5
(6) JULERICA drops back down to the 10K claiming level where he blew away a field three starts back. (3) ROCK ON THE HILL has been racing just evenly but perhaps new driver Tim Tetrick can wake him up. (1) MAGNUM MIKE rolled to the front in the stretch last time and is certainly a threat in here. (9) MASTER OF PUPPETS has the early speed to make the front and should stick around for an exotics spot.
Race 6
(6) MAYFAIR JOHNNY B posted two decent efforts versus slightly better fields. He has every chance to shine here and won’t even need to bump up in class with a victory. (7) PAPPY GO GO came up second best versus a solid foe last time. He is the best horse in this field and is a must-use. (2) CELEBRITY PEGASUS should fire away from the gate and secure good early position. He finished less than a length behind #7 last week and will be a much better price here. (3) MUSCLES ON FIRE drops down and should be a decent price for good connections.
Race 7
(7) SUTTON has a start under his belt now and a very slight post edge over (8) TROLLEY. I’ll lean his way in what looks like a two-horse race on paper. The latter goes for five straight and shows no signs of letting up. (1) IN SECRET & (1A) ELYSIUM LINDY are two solid horses but a notch below the top pair.
Race 8
(2) ATABOY HANOVER was sharp in his second comeback qualifier and it should have him tight enough to produce a winning mile if the trip goes reasonably well. (10) NOWS THE MOMENT comes right back in this class after a win last time out; post 10 hurts. (3) ARRAKIS is capable given the right trip, but I’d want at least 5-1 to consider him. (1) SHADY MCCOY might not be in good enough form to win this week but tab him for next time on the drop in company.
Race 9
(7) GRUBICH GIRL took a long time to get to this point but finally seems to have her game firing on all cylinders. I’m going to ride the wave as this two-class ‘paper’ jump isn’t as big as it appears. (2) STYLISH BEACHWHERE moves inside and faces a softer field. (8) JUXTA COWGIRL doesn’t jump off the page but has early speed and could surprise. (3) FOLLOWTHEWIND N steps up off a win and remains a trip threat.
Race 10
(3) GODSPELL HALL added hobbles last time and rolled past most of these with a sizzling stretch kick. Facing a similar field, there is no reason to jump ship. (7) DOVER DONY has brought a solid effort to the table every week this year and should be around for a big piece. (1) CHIEF JUSTICE kept his act together and finished just behind the top pick last time; risky play.
Race 11
(2) JUST N BERLANDER finds one of those perfect spots where he can save ground from his inside post and pounce late on a weak field . . . assuming he can find room in the lane. (5) ABOUT THE BENJAMNS & (4) SPORTS COWBOY look like capable early speed players and either could get away with soft fractions and go gate to wire. (9) ABBEYLARA seems likely to be the favorite but hasn’t been able to win here this year and lacks early speed. He could win but doesn’t seem worth the price.
Race 12
(3) PRESIDENTIAL ZETTE comes off two solid miles and seems to be sitting on a win. (1) FINAL DREAM just missed in this class last time and figures to be heard from this week. (8) BIZET is a dangerous wire-to-wire threat, but he has made breaks in two of his last three.
Race 13
(8) RUBBER DUCK has underperformed enough in recent weeks that most people have to be off the bandwagon, right? Dropping back down to the NW5000 level, let’s take a shot and hope his class shines through. (1) URBANJI & (1A) MIAMI form a strong entry where both are capable of winning; likely chalk. (2) THISGUYISONFIRE drops down and deserves some consideration. (5) PIERCEWAVE HANOVER fits with these but hasn’t been on his best game.