Meadowlands: Friday 4/7 Analysis
Best Bet: PENPAL (6th)
Spot Play: CHAPTER TOO (5th)
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: 165 - 562 / $848.00 (-$276.00)
BEST BETS: 23 - 48 / $90.00 (-$6.00)
Race 1
It is hard for me to get excited about any of the entrants in the opener. I’ll try (6) SANDY WIN off an even effort with the thought that she’ll improve in her second start off the bench. The Tony Alagna barn only has 3 wins in 28 starts since the beginning of 2016 with starters coming back from vacation; second time’s the charm. (4) CEDAR WAPSI ROAD & (5) MY CANDY have early speed and some decent efforts to their credit; win candidates.
Race 2
(6) ROSE RUN QUICKLEY returns to The Meadowlands at a reduced level and did get some confidence while at Philly for a start. This looks like a winning spot, though he is no lock. (8) PANAMA REPUBLIC came up with a nice mile with David Miller in the bike last time and he sticks tonight. (7) SHADY MCCOY dropped and improved last Friday; more class relief here.
Race 3
(6) GWENEEEE J should be able to take care of business against this field, but sometimes shippers from Pompano need a start to acclimate to the weather change. I’m not sure if I can take a short price here. (2) KEYSTONE I WISH has won four straight and should keep her form for the new barn off the claim. (5) BLUSH HANOVER will need some pace help, as always, but she is more than capable of winning.
Race 4
(5) DETROIT RAPPER looked like his old self winning while parked the mile last week. I wouldn’t go betting him at a short price, but at 2-1 or higher, he looks like the play. (4) TWO HIP DIP was better in his last start here and if Hannah Miller gets along with him, he has a big shot. (6) WINDSUN FIREBALL should take charge at the start and have a big shot of going all the way. (1) TROTALOT is a ground-saving threat from the cones.
Race 5
(1) CHAPTER TOO put in a strong effort while racing on the rim late in the mile last Friday. Daughter of Chapter Seven seems worth following. (4) SKATERLY has the looks of a odds-on favorite off a seemingly stellar qualifying win and now picking up David Miller, but I’m leery of accepting short odds when he, at least to my eye, broke after leaving the gate in his qualifier. (2) ROMANCING RACHEL won easily in the morning but may need a race to get up to pari-mutuel speed. (10) VODKANCAVIAR seems to have some ability but drew worst.
Race 6
(6) PENPAL couldn’t have looked any better winning her 2017 debut. The sky is the limit for this 4-year-old right now. (4) WINDSUN GLORY was a pretty easy winner in her qualifier and should be up to speed after a pair of morning efforts. (7) TRUTH AND LIBERTY has won four of her last five starts but has to deal with a better group this week. (5) VINTAGE BABE finished a neck behind #7 when last seen here.
Race 7
(3) WIND OF THE NORTH didn’t give his all when racing here a month ago. If forwardly placed as expected on Friday, he should have a huge shot. (8) MELADY’S MONET was done in by a slow pace last time at Pocono. Let’s expect him to be more involved this week. (5) OPULENT YANKEE is as sharp as any horse at the track but does face a better overall field tonight.
Race 8
I can see quite a few different options in this race. In a field that seemingly should have a fair early pace, let’s roll the dice with (4) FASHION CREDITOR, who should be ready to fire off cover in his third start back. (2) ITS PAYDAY FRIDAY is the horse to beat, but I can see some issues if he is forced to sit the pocket behind (6) BATTLE MAGE, who leaves every week and holds for a share. (3) MONTALBANO BI comes off a nice mile and wouldn’t be a shock here.
Race 9
(1) GEISHA GIRL N was flat at Dover last time, but she did miss just over four weeks of action. Now in the McIntyre barn, I wouldn’t be shocked if she showed improvement. (9) SINGLE ME is another Ross Corghan trainee coming up from Pompano that figures on paper. Check to see how fellow shipper Gweenee J does in race three before pulling the trigger on her. (4) SHE’S HEAVENLY is eligible to improve on the driver switch to David Miller. (6) DUSTLANEMISSMOLLY goes for her third straight.
Race 10
(4) FIRST CLASS FILLY rushed up with intent in her lone qualifier of the year and she held her ground ok late. This is not a tough field and she can definitely be ready at first asking. (5) MUSHANA was never involved but did finish up willingly in her first charted trip to the track this year. Perhaps he matured over the winter. (9) ATABOY HANOVER is off a win but stuck with an outside post now. (7) MYRNA MYRNA gets a driver change to Campbell from trainer Sholty. (8) SOUTHWIND PEARL improved in her second start of 2017.
Race 11
This field is filled with questionable horses and I’m not really in love with any of them. With that in mind, let’s try likely price play (7) BIG BILL BREEZE, who raced evenly in his first start in over three months. He put up a lifetime best 1:54 mile at Philly last year and that makes him a clear fit in here. (9) WISENHEIMER minded his manners as expected last week and settled for second; dangerous again. (8) GUESS WHOS BACK has plenty of talent if he can keep his act together. (1) STITCH IN TIME should stay close from the cones and get into the number.
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