Meadowlands: Friday 4/26 Analysis
Best Bet: FOOL ME AGAIN (1st)
Spot Play: RECLAMATION (10th)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 225 - 700 / $1374.30 (-$25.70)
BEST BETS: 16 - 55 / $54.60 (-$55.40)
Race 1
(3) FOOL ME AGAIN clearly has some GO in her tank and closed last week from an impossible spot. Moving to a better post now, if she can stay on gait, we could be looking at a big mile from her. (10) SUMMER CHARM got bested in the stretch in her first start of the year. She was Gingras' choice and I'm expecting her to be sharper now. (4) LULU DE VIE has been getting big pieces lately at a nice price; using underneath.
Race 2
(6) MERCHANDISER took a shot last week and came up short. I'm going to stick with him in just start #4 after missing well over a year of action. (3) HAMMER TIME could perk up here on the driver change but that also likely means a shorter price. (1) ALEX THE GREAT proved last year he could go a decent mile on a bigger track and he really had no chance from outside posts at Saratoga; using. (7) BIZET didn't pick up his game with Lasix added but sometimes it takes a start to see the full effects.
Race 3
(3) KIWI IDEAL N just missed in his recent amateur start and most importantly showed big early speed. Let's look for Beltrami to put this 11-year-old in position to win. (9) QUALITY BUD has proven himself in these races before but the post is a concern. (1) ROCKINWITHTHEBEST has a win and a second in this series, and you know he'll be showing early speed. (4) RATHER SWELL has enough form to win if the trip works out.
Race 4
(8) LA GRANGE A was very impressive in his first start for Svanstedt. I'm sticking with him despite the outside post. (5) FOR A DREAMER returned from vacation with a quality effort and could certainly take a step forward. (2) IF NOT WHY NOT stopped abruptly last time but I'm not willing to give up on him that quickly; capable.
Race 5
(1) STAR TRACK HANOVER was off the gate and gapped during his last race, but maybe we can chalk that up to a combination of the tough competition and recent breaks leading up to that mile. Since I highly doubt likely heavy favorite (9) GUARANTEED will be handled with anything but kid gloves in his career debut, my top pick seems worth a flyer. Guaranteed was awesome in both of his qualifiers and he may win this race even if he has to close from last to do it. (7) MUSCLE STAR comes off a solid qualifier, though he drifted out a bit in the lane. He could be dangerous if allowed to roam free on the engine.
Race 6
(8) ABBEYLARA comes off a scratched-sick line and wasn't very good when last seen, but this field came up very light and if Miller can keep him in contention, he should come through. (4) DAYLYN HORIZON is rounding into form but hasn't been able to get over the hump. (2) JUST N BERLANDER is racing well and now picks up David Miller.
Race 7
(4) ASIAGO just missed in a nice mile from a bad post in her 2019 debut. Any small step forward would be enough. (2) TRIX ARE FOR KIDS and (5) FRAULEIN BLUCHER both won by open lengths last time and loom as serious threats. (6) BORDOGNA finished second behind #2 last time from post 10; another contender.
Race 8
(3) YOU SHOULD BE HERE came home in 25 3/5 last time while facing much better foes. Five-year-old drops back down in class and should prove tough. (4) TRAFFIC JAM finished well from far back last time and is clearly sharp now. (7) FAMILY ROLL CALL has early speed, decent form, and now adds Gingras to the team.
Race 9
(7) BETTOR BELIEVE IT has picked up his game a bit since moving into the Bongiorno barn and perhaps he can take another step forward here versus a soft bunch. (6) IDEAL SON moves out of some hard-knocking claiming races and has to be considered a serious threat. (4) FRANKANDJOANNE raced well here two back and has some early zip.
Race 10
(5) RECLAMATION has come back from the races in fine form and should be able to handle this group after scoring in this class last time. (6) ROCKIN PRALINE also scored in the NW12500 ranks last time but I think the top pick is better. (4) STYLISH BEACHWARE has been racing well but seems better used underneath.
Race 11
(3) DW'S REVENGE has needed his first two starts to get up to speed. He finds a great spot to wake up. (4) APLOMB HANOVER ships down from Saratoga sharp and adds Tetrick. (6) RESITA gets some class relief and certainly merits consideration.
Race 12
(8) POP POP JOE rolled down the road last week and shouldn't miss a beat for new connections. (1A) MAGNUM MIKE has been sharp lately and seems like the main danger. (7) WESTERN REDHOT has enough form to win if the trip works out.
Race 13
(1) D GS SHADOWSBELL got away slowly and never had a shot last week. I'm going to give him one more shot here against a mostly dull group. (3) DUCK DUCK DRAGON finished well last time with Tetrick added to the team. (9) AL-MAR-GOT A FEVER disappointed as the favorite last time but did lure Callahan back over fellow contender (5) DANGEROUSPRECEDENT, who was racing well out of town after a brief vacation.