Meadowlands: Friday 7/20 Analysis
Best Bet: TACTICAL LANDING (2nd)
Spot Play: PRINCESS DEO (1st)
Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 82 - 227 / $396.10 (-$57.90)
BEST BETS: 13 - 21 / $40.80 (-$1.20)
Race 1
(5) PRINCESS DEO finished under a hard hold while appearing to have plenty left in her lone qualifier. Perhaps $748K earner Queen Serene finally has a good one in her first mating with Trixton. (6) SUSY flashed early speed in a solid debut; main danger. (2) TRIX ARE FOR KIDS gets a better post this week and this barn has been going well lately.
Race 2
(3) TACTICAL LANDING has made steady progress as he prepares for the Hambletonian. As usual, if he trots, which he’s been doing of late, he wins. (9) SOUTHWIND CHROME is a nice-looking colt from the Wellwood barn that has Hambo aspirations of his own; post hurts. (5) MUSCLE M UP kept his mind on business in his latest qualifier and can’t be faulted for losing to Wolfgang.
Race 3
There really are no good solutions to this handicapping puzzle. If you are playing the Pick 5, make sure to use a bunch of them. (8) FLIGHT AGAIN has been out of action for over two months but seems to return in a cozy spot. (9) RING WARRIOR is still winless in 25 starts in 2018. A class drop here is something to hang his hat on. (4) BOBJACKS ANGLE A has been known to wake up with a decent mile now and then in these weak classes. (1) VOICE OF TRUTH qualified back well after a six-month vacation. He does have class. (7) GREEN OLIVES gets a major driver change to Gingras.
Race 4
(5) HANNA DREAMGIRL raced well last week in Kindergarten action and seems to have found the right soft field this time. (6) ASIAGO sprinted home nicely to take her most recent qualifier. Muscle Hill filly could have some ability. (2) FRAULEIN BLUCHER just missed in her debut and could certainly step up in start two.
Race 5
(2) GOOSE BAY FIFTYTWO was rather impressive in qualifier #3. Erv Miller seems to have a good one in this Art Major-sired colt. (5) MAJOR DECEPTION came up with a big mile in the morning but loses Miller to (1) SHIPSHAPE, who broke in his debut after two good qualifiers. (3) WATERWAY is one of three from the Tony Alagna barn and any of these Captaintreacherous colts could deliver.
Race 6
(2) STELLA JANE got up at the wire with a last second surge last week and should once again offer good value. (5) BEAUTIFUL SIN comes into this race with one career win and three sparkling qualifiers below. She’s going to be bet off the board for Takter/Gingras and I’m not sure that has been earned yet. (1) BIG WEEZY was handled conservatively to start her career. There is more in the tank, I believe.
Race 7
(6) CALL ME QUEEN BE drops into a class where she really should have her way, but there is early speed inside of her to contend with. (5) DELIGHTFULMEMPHISN qualified steadily. Down Under import did well overseas and could have more to offer here, especially if a speed duel develops. (3) DELIGHTFUL DRAGON wasn’t going far from post 8 at Philly. Classy 7-year-old should be a player in here.
Race 8
(2) SOVEREIGN DEO sprinted home nicely to score at first asking and seems poised for another win for good connections. (1) GREEN MANALISHI S also won his only start and doesn’t look to be much if any behind the top pick. (3) NO DRAMA PLEASE can save ground and get into the exotics.
Race 9
(2) ODDS ON BOCA RATON, (1) CAPTAIN AHAB & (4) U S CAPTAIN are three Captaintreacherous 2-year-olds from the Tony Alagna barn that are tough to separate on paper. I lean to #2 only because he should offer the best value. (5) ROCKIN JIMMY BROWN seems to have the chops to compete.
Race 10
(1) KINGS COUNTY burned plenty of money when he jumped on the first turn last week. Driver Tim Tetrick opted to jump ship to #3. I’ll be loyal one more week because there is talent here. (6) DON’T LET’EM is certainly the horse to beat at a short price; must use. (3) GERRY won his debut and does keep Tetrick.
Race 11
(2) KEY WEST finished strong behind a rated pace last time and could be interesting if the pace gets a bit faster now. In a field with many contenders, she has a serious chance. (1) TREACHEROUS REIGN & (5) IZZY HANOVER are both coming off wins where they got away with soft opening halves. Both are clearly contenders but I wouldn’t take a short price. (7) TALL DRINK HANOVER finished well behind Izzy last time and could easily improve.
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