Meadowlands: Friday 5/22 Analysis
Race 1 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Race 7 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 22 - 77 / $94.30 BEST BETS: 4 - 6 / $10.90
Best Bet: WORLD CUP (4th)
Spot Play: CHEYENNE MIRIAM (9th)
Race 1
(3) CUP TOWN GIRL chased willingly in her 3-year-old debut and catches a slightly easier group this week. (1) CITIZEN HALL took some air and hung around in his first start of the year. Deweycheatumnhowe-sired colt can improve. (2) ARIEL SALUTE stayed flat and raced reasonably well in his most recent race. He seems capable if he behaves.
[NEW PAST PERFORMANCES: For the first time ever, Trackmaster PPs now available on DRF.com!.]
Race 2
(7) SHOW BIZ HALL made a break in his initial try in 2015, but did trot home in good order from far back. This field has plenty of question marks and I’m willing to give him another shot. (4) DAPPER DON & (5) STARZINNER are both coming off breaks, but there prior starts were fine.
Race 3
(3) JACKS TO OPEN seems to be left with too much to do in the stretch in most starts. If all-star driver Hannah Miller can keep him within striking distance, she should win. (2) PERMANENT JOY looks competitive on paper and goes out for one of the better amateur drivers currently racing. (9) MAJESTIC GINGER is very erratic but just as capable when she behaves.
Race 4
(2) WORLD CUP seemed to be the victim of poor tactics as he was intent on the lead early then gave way to what turned out to be a shuffle. With Sears now in the bike, I’m expecting a better result. (8) POUNCE HANOVER bested a similar field last time at 4-5 and looks like the one to beat again. (6) LAZARUS comes off four consecutive placings; using underneath.
Race 5
(7) JOSIE’S JOY may not be ready in her first start since November, but she does have some ability and this field doesn’t exactly provide a handicapper with confidence. (3) MODEL BEHAVIOR draws a good post this week and merits a second look. (4) RILEY’S DREAM has finished second in each of her five career starts. (5) MARION MILLIONAIR has speed and is an exotics must.
Race 6
(6) WEEPER stormed home to win a race she had no business winning in her 4-year-old debut. She is extremely talented and could be a force against older mares all year. (7) INITTOWINAFORTUNE was one of many winners for this barn last week. This mare has been very consistent all year. (4) SANDBETWEENURTOES & (5) ACT NOW are two returning 4-year-olds that have ability; maybe.
Race 7
With the two most likely winners drawn to his outside and perhaps looking at an easy week prior to the $100,000 final next week, (5) ALDEBARAN EAGLE has a chance to steal the race on the lead. He was a good second behind (7) GUESS WHOS BACK last time. The latter seems likely to win if he leaves hard. I’m just not certain he’ll do that. (8) CANEPA HANOVER has been babied along and it seems more likely that next week would be the time for an aggressive try. (3) CODE BON couldn’t keep up with Guess Whos Back in a recent qualifier, but has room for improvement.
Race 8
(9) TWO HIP DIP only needs to mind his manners to take this field down the road. (5) GO BYEM bested a weaker field last time and will get tested tonight. (2) ON THE SLY moves to the big track and could step up. (1) NEVER EVER CLEVER finishes in the money more often than not.
Race 9
(5) CHEYENNE MIRIAM hails from a barn that has picked up two wins and a second in the last three starts. Gingras chose this gal and I wouldn’t be shocked if she woke up. (4) KZ BEACH GIRL has been racing evenly from outside posts. She draws well tonight and has to be handled more aggressively, right? (8) REAL DRAMA wasn’t going far from post eight in her 4-year-old debut. Don’t count her out just yet.
Race 10
(7) LAUDERDALE chased Father Patrick nicely in his last qualifier. In a field with multiple candidates to win, he has as good a chance as any. (3) QUICK DEAL is the only entrant that could simply blow away this field; could break, too. (6) DREAM ROCKER looks like a strong player for an on-the-board spot, but does last on the lead once in a while. (2) CASHAHALLIC had no chance from post 10 last time and could be a sneaky play in here.
Race 11
(3) BEACH STORY put forth a solid effort in her first start of the year and is talented enough to expect improvement. (2) RIVER RUNS THRU IT became a new horse in her first start for trainer Michael Russo. Can she possibly handle this class jump? (6) BEAUTIFUL LADY has proven a consistent contender at this level. (7) KATIE SAID looked good two starts back. She has ability.
Race 12
(4) EXQUISITE GLIDE was a bit flat in the stretch in his first start in a month. Tony Alagna trainee should be ready to win now. (2) ORANGE BIGI drops down to a level where she can make some noise. (6) SOUTHWIND POSEIDON raced pretty well considering the post and trip in his 4-year-old debut; worth a look. (3) WHOWHOHOOSIER debuts for a new barn with hobbles.
[DRF HARNESS: Sign Up for the FREE newly designed DRF Harness Newsletter!]