Meadowlands: Friday 6/16 Analysis
Best Bet: JEWELS IN HOCK (4th)
Spot Play: I C CAVIAR (10th)
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: 54 - 130 / $281.30 (+$21.30)
BEST BETS: 9 - 11 / $22.60 (+$.60)
Race 1
(2) KING ON THE HILL was handled nicely by Marohn last week and seems to be on the right track now. This looks like and easy spot and here’s hoping Marohn gets a shot at driving this guy in the Hambletonian. (4) AGRESTORES COMET was a willing second behind a sharp Victor Gio IT last time. (3) FEED YOUR HEAD gets away from post 10 and should show more here.
Race 2
(6) MCACE OF ARTS finished very well with no shot a week ago in what was a very fast mile for the class. This looks like a soft field. (3) JOYFUL GAME was awful at a relatively short price last Friday. She is better than that. (2) VALENTINA DE VIE picks up Yannick and that change alone could make a difference.
Race 3
(2) CRESCENT FASHION brushed and certainly wasn’t shamed by losing to a heavily favored Market Share in his last try. A repeat effort should result in a win. (7) MOONLIGHT COCKTAIL was sharp last Friday and might have picked up some confidence. (1) SHEER FLEX should save ground from the inside and get a piece, but I don’t like him on the win end.
Race 4
(5) JEWELS IN HOCK wasn’t able to handle much better foes last week but still trotted a 1:51 3/5 mile. If she comes within a few ticks of that, there won’t be anyone near her at the wire. (6) MARKET SHARE looked sharp defeating a blank field. The task is much more difficult this week. (3) ROUNDTOWN ROCKER & (3) STARSABOVEALLERAGE are both capable of stepping up with the right trip, but the top two seem quicker.
Race 5
(6) PANANA REPUBLIC was done in by a bad post here on June 2. She should get the job done tonight at about 7-5. (4) HYWAY MARCUS is in decent form of late and seems like the main threat to the top pick. (1) GONNA FLY could conceivably fire out from the pylons to secure position; using more underneath. (2) KENNAN is another with some early zip that merits exotics consideration.
Race 6
(7) ACHILLE DUHARAS kept his mind on business and trotted a strong mile in his most recent qualifier. If he finally has his head on straight, perhaps this guy has a decent future. (3) SHIVERED raced well when last here and was facing good competition out of town. (8) ODYSSEY BLUE CHIP gets a nice driver change in his second start of the year; improvement very possible.
Race 7
(3) TRUTH AND LIBERTY was in over her head when last at The Meadowlands. She returns in a softer spot and should have every opportunity to win. (5) VENUS DELIGHT raced much better than I expected in her 2017 debut. A small step forward would make her tough to defeat. (2) ABBIJADE HANOVER gets post relief and adds Gingras; saver on pick four tickets.
Race 8
(1) ANNAPOLIS HALL was sweeping wide with the winning move when he broke last week. If Schnittker can be patient and wait until the stretch, this son of Deweycheatumnhowe looks best. (2) EXPLOSIVE comes off a decent mile and I like the driver change to McCarthy. (5) MUSCLE HIGH exits NJSS races. He was doing ok in May in NW1 company here.
Race 9
(9) MYAMMIE DRAMA proved she wasn’t in the same league as the best NJ-bred fillies, but we already knew that. The post isn’t ideal but she seems good enough to best this bunch. (5) SEVALLY comes off an impressive win at Tioga that was disallowed due to interference. (4) WUTAN qualified ok. Let’s see if he can drop 5 seconds off that mile.
Race 10
(1) I C CAVIAR was saved at the back but rallied nicely in the lane. In his second start back from vacation, I’m expecting a more aggressive try. (4) BROOKROAD KNIGHT stayed trotting in his second start since December, which is a good sign. He fits nicely in here but the near four week layoff is concerning. (7) MARTY DE VIE raced much better with hobbles added. (8) CELEBRITY STIMULUS goes from amateur to Hall of Famer in the bike.
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