Meadowlands: Friday 4/14 Analysis
Best Bet: SINGLE ME (9th)
Spot Play: GWENEEEE J (3rd)
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: 175 - 584 / $892.20 (-$275.60)
BEST BETS: 25 - 50 / $97.00 (-$3.00)
Race 1
(4) WINDSUN BROOKLYN was an easy winner in her return qualifier two starts back and ran into a pair of good ones in her most recent charted workout. Most of the returnees from winter vacation for this barn have been doing well. (6) ALL ABOUT THE PACE was touted by trainer Scott DiDomenico in a recent article, so maybe there is some ability here. Switch to the big track after a break could help. (3) ONEIDA BLUE CHIP exits some good competition in the Weiss series.
Race 2
(1A) SOUTHWIND WOODY was under a bit of a hold before trotting home steadily in a pretty good qualifying mile last week. There are a bunch of solid competitors here, but the price should be right for a horse that may have matured over the winter. (6) SOUTHWIND PEARL blew away her foes last week in this mini-series and looms as the favorite once again. (2) CHAPTER TOO missed a head to #6 and is hard to toss. (7) ANGEL CINDY also has a win from last week.
Race 3
(4) GWENEEEE J rated and dug in for the win versus a similar field on arrival from Pompano and looks best again. (1) KEYSTONE I WISH took dead aim but couldn’t get past the winner last Friday. (5) CARIBBEAN ROSE N has the early speed to make some noise. (1A) VORST drops down below the level of the claim four starts back.
Race 4
(3) MONTALBANO BI hasn’t been racing badly in the last couple of weeks while facing better foes. The class drop tonight can make a big difference. (6) SHEER FLEX knows how to win here and gets a touch of class relief himself. (2) WINEMASTER HANOVER has early speed and form.
Race 5
(4) B L CLASS ACT went a brutal mile at Freehold last time and held rather well. Veteran performer is sharp now and knows his way to the Big M winner’s circle. (2) TOSS CARTWRIGHT raced well with Kleinhans in the bike at Yonkers on 3/23 and I have plenty of faith in his ability to make good decisions. (6) PANANA REPUBLIC has been racing well but could end up as the chalk in a fairly wide open race due to Hannah Miller’s presence. (5) KEYSTONE THOMAS has shown a bit more life in recent weeks and wouldn’t be a complete shock here.
Race 6
(6) WINDSUN GLORY was a solid second versus a potential killer in Penpal to start off her 4-year-old campaign. I’m not sure if she can definitely handle (5) PRAIRIE SWEEETHEART, but if I get at least 2-1, I’ll take my chances. The latter is undefeated in 14 starts and proved herself with a sub 1:50 mile at the Red Mile last year. The lack of a pari-mutuel start since November is the only concern. (4) INITTOWINAFORTUNE is sharp and has early speed. Veteran mare will be heard from and could find her way into the exotics or better.
Race 7
(1) ROCK OF CASHEL hasn’t been able to get his act together versus strong competition from outside posts on the half at Yonkers. The switch back to The Meadowlands can be just what the doctor ordered. (5) SECOND SISTER was stuck in traffic last time and the last time she raced at this level the result was a near four length romp. (2) APPOMATTOX basically took the week off versus the best trotters at the track in his last start. He should be a bit more involved this time. (3) WATKINS is very capable with the right trip.
Race 8
(5) TWO HIP DIP looked good rallying off a contested pace to win in an amateur race last time and now finds a soft spot due to conditions which disregard amateur earnings; count me in. (10) TAC’S DELIGHT has form and early speed. He can overcome the outside post with a decent trip. (1) CELEBRITY STIMULUS goes from an amateur driver to a Hall of Famer and seems highly likely to improve. (6) SHADY MCCOY comes off a decent mile and stays in the same class.
Race 9
(2) SINGLE ME raced well from a tough post upon arrival from Florida and should handle this field with ease at short odds. (6) PAYDAZE ON THE WAY ships in off four straight wins at Monticello for a barn that is having a good meet here as well. (1) WEEKEND GETAWAY definitely fits in this class but I would prefer a catch-driver in the bike.
Race 10
(8) PAINITE gets class relief for somewhat low percentage connections. Mare is as good as any in here and could score at a price. (6) NEVER EVER CLEVER is also dropping and has been in against some nice foes lately; bad form, though. (4) BIG BILL BREEZE closed okay in the stretch most recently; smooth trip threat. (7) MODERN MERCURY was racing well at Pompano and now tries her luck here for solid connections. (3) WINWOOD SCOUT was David Miller’s choice over #6.
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