Meadowlands: Friday 7/26 Analysis

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 89 - 287 / $463.80 (-$110.20)
BEST BETS: 13 - 21 / $45.60 (+$3.60)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Best Bet: BARIMAH A (13th)
Spot Play: TALL DARK STRANGER (12th)
Race 1 – Non-winners 1 race life - $25K GTD Pick 5
(2) READY FOR MONI came home with powerful strides to win both of his morning attempts. Colt is the fifth foal from a mare that finally broke through with a decent one in 3-year-old Can’t Afford It (1:52 4/5). In a blank field, he looks like a standout. (1) MOON BRIDGE displayed some ability in his qualifiers and hails from a barn that is capable of popping off the bench. (1) FROMMING drops out of stakes action and hopes to awaken.
Race 2 – James Doherty Memorial Elim #1
(8) HYPNOTIC AM has looked every bit the part of the next champion to come out of the Marcus Melander barn. Chapter Seven filly could be any kind at this point. (3) MS SAVANNAH BELLE caught my eye in her final qualifier and certainly can’t be faulted finishing second to perhaps the best filly in PA in Sister Sledge. (5) HELLO TOMORROW had no issues in her career debut and did lure Gingras off #3.
Race 3 – James Doherty Memorial Elim #2
This looks like a tricky elimination where I’m very likely to press the ALL button in the Pick 5 since I’ll be singling elsewhere. (5) SANS DEFAULT has overcome outside posts at both Pocono and Philly. She’s probably a deserving favorite but far from a lock. (8) PANEM has done some good things when she behaves. Father Patrick filly could have a surprise in store for this field. (3) JULA CHAMPAGNE has come up second best twice behind a decent-looking filly. (4) WORD OF HONOR won her debut and was second behind a good one in Crucial. (1) SOLSBURY HILL rallied after an early break last time; don’t count her out.
Race 4 – Peter Haughton Memorial Elim #1
(4) SYNERGY was a very easy winner in his career debut and seems worth following. (5) CAPRICORNUS easily dispatched of Big Oil, who looked great winning his prior start. Cantab Hall colt is a clear contender. (3) STAY CLOSE might get overbet off a 10-length win where five horses broke and longshots finished second to fourth behind him. (2) EXPECTATIONS was second behind Big Oil the last time Sears was in the bike.
Race 5 – Non-winners of 4/6 races or $50,000/$75,000 life
(7) BESTSELLER HANOVER returned from the break with Lasix and raced very well chasing a super-sharp Kimberlee last time. She seems ready for a big mile. (3) TRILLIONS HANOVER drops out of stakes action and is a must-use on your Pick 5 tickets. (1) PASSPORT HANOVER finally woke up with a win last time up at Woodbine. A similar performance would put her in the picture. () JK MARDI SAYS has been racing reasonably well out of town.
Race 6 – Preferred Fillies & Mares
(6) DIVAS IMAGE raced evenly in the Golden Girls after taking a few months off. My gut says she can use a nice tightener near the front and I’m rolling the dice on that angle. (3) KISSIN IN THE SAND was disappointing again last time; new driver tonight. Helps? (10) CAVIART ALLY is far and away the horse to beat but post 10 and inside speed could cause her some issues. (1) BACKSEAT TERROR hasn’t lost in months but also hasn’t faced a field like this one. (7) WRITE ME A SONG moves into the Burke barn and deserves a look on the track.
Race 7 – James Doherty Memorial Elim #3
(2) SHERRY LYNS LADY won her Sire Stakes debut and came back with a very sharp mile behind standout Sister Sledge. Father Patrick youngster looks formidable here. (7) CRUCIAL marched down the road and lasted in her debut and could get better with that start in hand. (1) QUEEN OF THE HILL has done everything right so far.
Race 8 – G Notes – Non-winners $6,500 in last 5 starts - $50K GTD Pick 4
(10) ODDS ON LAUDERDALE ran into a very sharp horse who loves this track last week. Post 10 isn’t ideal but he is clearly the best horse in the race. (6) JOE JOE JOE has been too sluggish early to allow his late kick to make an impact. There seems to be enough early speed to set him up nicely here. (7) BIG JER picks up Gingras and seems likely to change his tactics. (2) DRAGONOLOGY went a long mile last week and he’s certainly capable with a good effort in this class.
Race 9 – Peter Haughton Memorial Elim #2
(9) REAL COOL SAM has shown some greenness at times but also immense talent. While post 9 isn’t ideal, he’s already proven capable of overcoming that obstacle on smaller tracks. (7) S CLASS kept his act together with hobbles added. If he behaves, colt could make the top one work. (5) HELLBENT FOR AM S reunites with Sears for the top Melander barn, who also sends out contenders (8) ROME PAYS OFF (adding Tim Tetrick) and (6) BACK OF THE NECK (off a convincing win versus easier).
Race 10 – Non-winners of 2 races or $20,000 life
This looks like one of the trickier races on the card where something crazy is certainly possible, so I would spread wide in the Pick 4. (5) HATIKVAH has displayed the ability to race from off the pace, which could be key in a field with a fair amount of early speed. I’d also expect to get a decent price due to the driver in the bike. (8) SOLATIRE HILL kept her act together with hobbles added and could move forward. (6) MARVELOUSTRIX has displayed good days and bad ones. If she is happy, she can win. (4) STAR TRACK HANOVER faltered in his first start for Team Miller; more now.
Race 11 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5 starts
(6) EUROBOND has turned into a killer for new trainer Julie Miller. It’s hard to see him losing. (1) SOUTHWIND CHROME looks like the only serious contender to the top pick on paper; if he trots. (2) CHIN CHIN HALL has some ability and could improve in his second start of the year. (4) CHIEF JUSTICE doesn’t look like a win player but seems useful underneath.
Race 12 – Non-winners 1 race life
(7) TALL DARK STRANGER has looked like a complete killer in the morning and she’s the second foal from $838K earner Precocious Beauty, who has already given us Adios finalist Beautyonthebeach from her first foal. (1) SUNUMA BEACH got away slowly last time and lost any chance in a very fast race. Don’t discount his chances here with Tetrick back in the bike. (8) LOTTERY WINNER was part of a quick pace last time and held ok; using underneath. (4) PAPI ROB HANOVER qualified well and seems worth a look.
Race 13 – G Notes – Non-winners $6,500 in last 5 starts
(1) BARIMAH A has been off his game lately, but one look at this group and he should quickly realize he’s the king of the pack. (4) JACKAMINO comes off a win in this class. (3) MACHIAVELLI comes to town for a top barn and seems like a potentially player. (5) SPORTSMANSHIP has early speed and some class.
Race 14 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5 starts
(6) MAX VOLO drops down and should be able to handle this group. (7) ARAGORN HOSS FI raced ok in his U.S. debut and could show more now. (4) DARK AS A POCKET was Tetrick’s choice over the obvious favorite in #6. (2) CARDINALE raced well in this class two starts back.