Meadowlands: Friday 4/28 Analysis
Best Bet: MYAMMIE DRAMA (2nd)
Spot Play: ROCK ME GENTLY (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: 187 - 627 / $946.00 (-$308.00)
BEST BETS: 27 - 54 / $103.20 (-$4.80)
Race 1
(4) CYPRESS POINT makes his first start since December off a seemingly dull qualifier, but he was facing some of the best trotters in North America that morning. As one of only two horses in the field with a non-amateur in the bike, I’ll take my chances with the experience. (1) SAVAGE CINDERELLA came up with a big mile in her last appearance here two starts back. (9) PANANA REPUBLIC has plenty of form and some early speed in her arsenal for top amateur Hannah Miller. (7) LUV AT FIRST SITE is the other entrant with a ‘professional’ driver.
Race 2
(7) MYAMMIE DRAMA has looked spectacular in both qualifiers this year. I’d be on board regardless, but against this mostly suspect group, I’m all in. (8) STEALTH HANOVER comes off what looks like a nice qualifier line, but I thought the performance should have been better. That said, he seems like the main threat and close to a must for pick five tickets. (1) THE LAST CHAPTER wasn’t going far from an outside post at Pocono to start his career; worth another look.
Race 3
(5) VOXY didn’t show much in her qualifier, but this stable has been known to pop regardless of how they look in the morning. I’ll take a shot with her here since the connections listed Brett Miller to drive. (6) DEACON TONY came up with a solid winning debut to start his year last week and certainly merits inclusion on most tickets off that mile. (1) EYESEENOW & (8) AGRESTORES COMET are two 4-year-old geldings facing mostly 3-year-old fillies. Logically they should have some advantage.
Race 4
(2) STITCH IN TIME drops down and finds himself in a much better spot this week; narrow call. (6) HYWAY MARCUS raced reasonably well from off the pace after a two month break; very dangerous. (5) SHADY MCCOY has been fairly consistent of late while unable to get over the top. (9) WINWOOD SCOUT comes off a good mile and should continue that form or possibly get better on the trainer change.
Race 5
(3) SOMESLEAZETOPLEASE—half sister to millionaire See You At Peelers—qualified back in good order for her 3-year-old debut and looks ready to rumble. (4) STORMTRACKER went down the road while on her own through the stretch last out. Linda Toscano trainee seems to have some ability. (10) TWINKLE is perfect in two career starts after getting two great trips. From post 10 versus better foes, I’m playing against. (5) ANDERSON SEELSTER comes off a decent mile in her first start of the year.
Race 6
(4) BLUE MOON STRIDE looked ready to roll with a sharp qualifying mile versus a solid field last Saturday. She should sit no worse than a pocket trip behind (5) INITTOWINAFORTUNE and have every chance late. The latter is in near career form right now and continues to offer value each week as people are lured into fresh faces. (2) PENPAL burned plenty of money at 3-5 while never getting involved last week. She still has a big shot and will offer better value. (8) DARLINONTHEBEACH has looked pretty good in the morning. I’m going to watch a start from the outside post.
Race 7
(6) OPULENT YANKEE is the speed of the speed in a race where some others might be looking ahead. I’ll take a shot with him in a competitive event. I’m expecting a conservative drive from David Miller behind (5) JL CRUZE, but in a field with horses that have the potential to mix it up on the engine, he could line up behind cover and get the job done. (1A) DAYSON should be tight after a couple of qualifiers, but he is likely going to have to pass most of the field to win. (4) MAESTRO BLUE CHIP had a couple of morning preps to prepare for this and is more than capable of winning if ready to roll.
Race 8
(9) B YOYO is supposed to beat this field and if he can bring at least his ‘B’ game it should be good enough. (6) BATTLE MAGE was parked in her debut for trainer Ron Burke. This looks like a better spot to get the front and Gingras in the bike should help. (1) DANISH DURANGO beat up on lesser a week ago. I’m not sure I love him here but he has a shot.
Race 9
(2) OUR ELS DREAM N was racing two classes higher when last seen here and hasn’t exactly been taking on easy company when out of town. Assuming I can get 4-1 or higher, I’d take a shot with her now that Brett Miller is driving. (1A) KEYSTONE I WISH & (1) VORST are plenty sharp and come as a wagering team; must use on all tickets. (3) WALK TWO MOONS raced better than her line looks last time as she had some traffic trouble. She’ll need to be faster to compete here but it is not out of the question. (7) DAUT FULL moves into the Amber Buter barn and adds Tetrick; worth a look.
Race 10
(6) MODERN MERCURY is down in class (as are many in here) and comes off a tough trip last time. Four-year-old switches to Gingras and seems worth a look. (8) ZOOMING is the class of the field by far and could prove tough if he is on his game. (1) MONTALBANO BI isn’t as sharp as he was earlier in the year but can get the job done with the right trip. (2) PANITE hasn’t been able to threaten recently but does fit in this spot.
Race 11
(5) ROCK ME GENTLY comes off a string of races from outside posts at Yonkers that you can basically toss. She moves into a new barn tonight that is winning at a high percentage and faces a relatively blank field. (6) JOYFUL GAME hasn’t been as bad as her recent PP lines look; class drop. (1) BLUSH HANOVER is far from reliable but is always a threat at this level with a good setup. (9) BETTOR CHILL OUT may not be ready in her first start since early December, but does have the early speed to make some noise in a field that seems to lack that quality.
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