Meadowlands: Friday 7/13 Analysis
Best Bet: TACTICAL LANDING (12th)
Spot Play: PINKMAN (8th)
Race 3 - $100,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool ($28,976.36 Carryover)
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Race 13 – Mandatory Jackpot Hi-Five Payout ($276,939.74 Carryover)
Pick 5 Ticket: 6 / 3,4 / 8 / 1,2,3,4,7,8,9 / 2,5,8 = $21
Jackpot Hi-5 Ticket: 5 / 1,8,11 / 1,6,8,11 / 1,3,4,6,8,9,11,12 / ALL = $86.40
CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 73 - 200 / $354.20 (-$45.80)
BEST BETS: 12 - 19 / $38.20 (+$.20)
Race 1
(1) STELLA JANE will offer a big price here but really doesn’t look that much worse than the rest of the field. She can be excused for being uninvolved from post 7 at Monticello and also for a break on the crown of the turn at Yonkers while trying to settle in. The switch to the big track could make a difference. (4) SEASIDE BLISS has posted a pair of solid qualifiers and seems capable. (6) BIG WEEZY took care of business in her second trip to the track. She looks like the potential favorite.
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Race 2
(5) MOLLYDOOKER romped on the engine last time and should prove best again if she minds her manners. (1) HURRIKANESKY chased slow fractions and rallied nicely both weeks. (4) HURRIKANE LORI ANN had to settle for a tie with the former last time. She needs to step up.
Race 3
(6) KINGS COUNTY blew me away with a very impressive qualifier on June 30. Full brother to the talented Brooklyn Hill (1:53 1/5 at 2) should prove tough. (2) KREDIT KARMA was a solid second behind the now 2-for-2 Don’t Let’em in his lone start. If the top choice shows any weakness, this son of Credit Winner will capitalize. (4) PRECISION has done well in qualifying action at Vernon and will take a second shot at Meadowlands tonight.
Race 4
(4) ROCKET J was used from post 9 trying for the lead on the drop to this condition last week. Moving inside should leave him with more left for the stretch this Friday. (3) BUPA BRUISER returns to The Big M two classes lower than when last seen here. He’s capable of coming up with a big effort. (7) OUTCRY is probably best one class lower but has been sharp. (8) MEDOLAND JATE was Scratched-Sick off the claim and now ends up switching from a $15k claimer to a $10k, though that is still higher than the $7,500 level he was claimed from; mixed feelings.
Race 5
(8) MOTHER BONNIE came to the track with a purpose in her pari-mutuel debut and was a powerful winner. Daughter of Trixton-Fashion Spooner looks to have serious talent. (7) WHISPERING OAKS was able to charge home to get up on the wire last time after breaking in her first trip to the track. She’s dangerous if she trots the mile. (5) FRENCH CAFÉ & (9) SPECIAL HONOR present two solid uncoupled options from the Julie Miller barn if by some chance my top pick has a bad night.
Race 6
In what looks like the toughest race in this Pick 5 carryover sequence, I’ll roll the dice with longshot (9) SAWBUCK HANOVER. He’s proven himself here with a 1:49 4/5 win in 2017, his lone start on the oval since 2014. Sean Bier trainee comes in with decent form and doesn’t exactly face any monsters. (3) GRIFFON HANOVER burned money last week but now drops in class. He’s certainly dangerous this week. (8) FRANKANDJOANNE & (7) MAAJAACKKOBE are also class-droppers and both have the early speed to make some major noise. (4) SPICEBOMB & (2) SO TAKE THAT are the only horses in the field coming off wins, but they are also moving up the class ladder. A repeat performance for either would make them a player. (1) COMMENTARIAT raced well when last here and has multiple wins over the track.
Race 7
(8) HUDSON RIVER raced to his pedigree with a solid score to start his career. Father Patrick-Lantern Kronos product switches to Jimmy Takter in the bike but still seems capable at what should be a decent price. (5) BATTENBERG rolled on the engine and bottomed-out the field last Friday. He’ll need to be more under control to beat this group. (2) GREENSHOE overcame an early break to sweep the field in his debut. Father Patrick-Designed To Be colt is loaded with talent but probably only 50-50 to stay trotting. (1) NO DRAMA PLEASE should save ground and get a piece of the exotics.
Race 8
Let’s give some credit to trainer Jimmy Takter for getting Hambletonian winner (9) PINKMAN back in top form after two off years. Now 6-year-old seems poised for a win while facing much lesser company than last time. (4) DUNBAR HALL loomed but came up flat versus Ariana G last time. Maybe new driver Brett Miller can get him going. (3) DOUBLE L LINDY wasn’t able to sustain a bid on the lead most recently. I’m expecting early speed in this spot. (7) OBRIGADO has three perfect qualifiers in preparation for his 8-year-old season. Is he ready for this?
Race 9
(4) CHECK OUT TRIXIE is coming off a track record performance at Goshen and it is nice to see trainer Ray Schnittker call on Tim Tetrick to drive. Daughter of superstars Trxiton and Check Me Out seems to have a future. (6) SUSY raced well in her lone qualifier. Daughter of Solveig is a half-sister to Shake It Cerry ($2.7 million), Uncle Lasse ($931K) and Dontyouforgetit ($598K). (1) SPEED TITAN has done it all right in the morning and won’t offer any value.
Race 10
(4) BRADY BUNCH chased Kings County willingly and then returned with a runaway qualifying win of his own on July 7. If the ‘King’ rules in race three, move this guy up a notch. (7) SOVEREIGN DEO also comes out of the Kings County qualified and finished less than a length behind the top pick. (8) ALTERNATIVE FACT chased in a very fast morning mile at Pocono in his lone appearance. Will Schnittker be gunning him from the gate? (6) WINNING HABIT is a full brother to $1.2 million earner Habitat. Son of Conway Hall has looked OK in the morning.
Race 11
(8) MAJESTIC SUNSET blew away the competition when last seen here with David Miller in the sulky. If he behaves tonight, he likely wins again. (9) JUSTICE JET is another with breaking troubles that is capable of a strong mile. Switch from Saratoga to the big track could make a difference. (5) FLEET BUMBLEBEE exits amateur competition and finds himself in a new barn. (4) AVENTURE also moves from an amateur pilot to the very capable Abbatiello.
Race 12
(2) TACTICAL LANDING is still putting all of the pieces together but seems to have as much ability as any 3-year-old trotter. If he stays trotting they can’t beat him. (5) EUROBOND is far and away the only threat to the top pick. (7) VELVATTER would need the top two to break to have any shot at a win; minor award likely.
Race 13
(5) SOUTHWIND MASIMO failed to rally while facing a better field last week. Class drop here could be just what the doctor ordered. (1) SUPER S YZERMAN made a nice middle move only to tire in the stretch. Switch to David Miller can only help. (11) WHATA TWIST gets away from an outside post but now has to deal with the second tier. If he can get lucky with the trip, a win isn’t impossible. (8) CROMBIE A didn’t have much of a chance from post 10 in his debut for this barn. He’s capable against this group. (6) ROCKIN HANK took a shot and tired a week ago; new tactics here?
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