Meadowlands: Friday 7/19 Analysis
CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 81 - 260 / $433.80 (-$86.20)
BEST BETS: 13 - 19 / $45.60 (+$7.60)
Best Bet: BIG OIL (1st Race)
Spot Play: CAPT MIDNIGHT (3rd Race)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Race 1 – Kindergarten – 2YO C&G - $25K GTD Pick 5
(1) BIG OIL was spectacular in his career debut at Pocono and looks like one to follow. (3) CAPRICORNUS was a solid third to a pretty good-looking youngster last time in Can’t Say No; Tetrick’s choice. (5) EXPECTATIONS chased home the top one last time and looks destined for a similar fate. (10) AMIGO VOLO won his last qualifier going away; post 10 hurts.
Race 2 – Kindergarten – 2YOF
(4) RAMONA HILL was a powerful winner to start her career and it is tough to see anyone besting her here. (2) FASHION CHARMER rallied very willingly when asked in her latest qualifier. (3) JULA BEAUTY AM could be in the exacta if she keeps her act together.
Race 3 – Kindergarten – 2YO C&G
(5) CAPT MIDNIGHT had no chance in his career debut while sprinting home in 25 2/5. High-priced colt with great pedigree could pop a big one in start number two. (4) WESTERN VACATION is hard not to use after a solid debut at Philly. (6) CAPTAIN NEMO finished ahead of the top pick last time with a 25 1/5 kicker of his own; using. (9) FATHER NUNO blew up the board with a big effort in his debut. Colt is a full brother to Captaintreacherous.
Race 4 – Non-winners $20,000 in last 5 starts
(2) TOP EXPECTATIONS gets some major class relief here and should be pointed down the road. (3) HOMICIDE HUNTER hasn’t been right all year but does have the class to take these to task if he can find his groove. (6) ZLATAN has no business winning in this spot, but he may be sharp enough to menace.
Race 5 – Non-winners 4-6 races or $50-76,000 life
(7) EUROBOND freaked with a monster mile in his first start for Team Miller. Four-year-old has always had talent and perhaps the new barn can get the most out of him. (3) CAPTAIN MORGAN displayed big talent as a 3-year-old and now returns after over a year on the sidelines. The return qualifier versus two strong sophomores was good. (2) CHIN CHIN HALL kept his act together with hobbles added and is another with ability. (8) FIRST CALL gets a major driver change to Tetrick.
Race 6 – Non-winners 2 races or $20,000 life
(5) SHEER MUSCLE catches a soft field as he drops out of stakes action and really has no excuses. (8) HS JUDY JETSON comes to town with some good credentials and gets tested for class now. (2) HATIKVAH has some early speed and could set up in a good spot.
Race 7 – Kindergarten – 2YO C&G
Tricky race but I’m going to stick with the favorite due to lack of other options and the possibility of a price due to a non-catch-driver in the bike on (1) HELLBENT FOR AM S. (2) PRIMO PADRE could get the opportunity to sit behind horses here and that might give him more stretch pop. (9) ONTOPOFTHEHILL will need a good amount of early speed to get into contention, but he’s a clear player if away close.
Race 8 – Non-winners 4-6 races or $50-100,000 life - $50K GTD Pick 4
I’m going to take a shot here that Lismore winner (2) BESTSELLER HANOVER is ready to roll and will be driven as such off a sparkling qualifier at Yonkers. Somebeachsomewhere-sired filly clearly has ability. (4) ABIGAIL DAWN has never missed the board in 10 starts this year and is a clear win player. (1) TRAFFIC JAM returns to a track where she was doing good work for a barn that has been going well recently. (5) KEY WEST has yet to step up in 2019 but he should shine eventually.
Race 9 – Kindergarten – 2YO C&G
(3) SYNERGY rolled to an impressive win in his career debut and certainly looks like he could have a nice future off that limited sample. (4) HAYEK has ability but clearly some issues. We get the trainer in the bike now and that isn’t always a bad thing. (8) CHESTNUT HILL is a high-priced yearling buy that could improve in his second start off the bench. (1) ROME PAYS OFF won his debut and deserves at least a look.
Race 10 – Non-winners $6,500 in last 5 starts
(5) SURFING TIDE raced reasonably well in his first start since April and we saw the talent he had as a 3-year-old. Against a suspect field, he can step up. (1) SPORTSMANSHIP couldn’t fight off the “on paper” unbeatable City Hall last week; sharp enough to play with these. (8) SADIQ HANOVER picks up an aggressive driver and drops in class. Don’t be shocked if he wakes up with a decent mile and shows early speed.
Race 11 – Trackmaster Rating 75.80 or less
(1) FIRE LIGHT was a winner in a similar class here in June as the favorite with Callahan in the bike. This is a weak field and an encore performance seems very possible. (7) HURRIKANE KINGKONG raced well in his second start off the bench and should be firing off the gate with Gingras in the bike. (8) TARAMAKAUREACTOR N tends to make a late run for a piece but isn’t realible on the top end.
Race 12 – Kindergarten – 2YOF
This is one talented group of rookie pacing fillies. (6) REFLECT WITH ME was loaded with pace in her career debut and McCarthy saw fit to go with her over an impressive first-out winner in #2. (1) MARLOE HANOVER surprised at big odds to start her career and if they mix it up, she could be in the right spot to make noise again. (2) LADY LOU has yet to taste defeat. (10) JK FIRST LADY exploded home in her first start to win going away. (5) CAVIART JANE is perfect in morning work and certainly seems like a fit.
Race 13 – Non-winners $6,500 in last 5 starts
(8) U NEED STONES is down in class this week and should roll down the road. (2) SWAN CHASE is probably the best horse in the race if he can behave. (5) MAX VOLO & (4) LIFE WELL LIVED are dropping in class like the top pick but have no form to speak of right now.
Race 14 – Kindergarten – 2YO C&G
(8) THE GREEK FREAK was all over the track in his debut at The Meadows and may just need the wider turns on the big track and an equipment change to right the ship. He has talent. (5) CHIEF MATE scored at first asking and looks like the favorite again. (6) BOMBSHELL HANOVER has looked good every week and is clearly a threat. (1) CAPTAIN BARBOSSA has shown a decent late kick and only needs to stick closer to be in the number.