Meadowlands: Friday 7/6 Analysis

Best Bet: BATTENBERG (5th)
Spot Play: PENPAL (8th)
Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 64 - 174 / $293.80 (-$54.20)
BEST BETS: 11 - 17 / $35.40 (+$1.40)
Race 1
(1) MOLLYDOOKER had equipment trouble in her first career start. I’ll stick with her in the hopes of a much better price but will jump ship if she is somehow the favorite. (2) HURRIKANE LORI ANN cruised along after rating a soft pace to start her career; one to beat. (3) HURRIKANESKY chased #2 last week in a fine showing; playable.
Race 2
(6) FRENCH CAFÉ just missed in a rather good time last week. Well-bred filly seems to be in soft and should prevail. (1) SARI BOUT IT never got in contention while racing steady from an outside post to start her career. She can be more involved this time. (3) TAJA MAHALA took a shot and tired last Friday. Maybe she’ll get a better trip here.
Race 3
(5) TRIX AND STONES saved ground in his debut mile and finished up willingly. A repeat mile should make him a major player in here. (6) SHEENA’S BOY raced evenly to start his career. Will catch-driver Andy Miller fire off the gate? (4) SOUL STRONG is the former’s uncoupled entrymate. His qualifier was good but he hasn’t raced in over a month.
Race 4
(1) CASH REWARD blazed the way around the track in a sharp final prep for this race. Filly by Captaintreacherous is the first foal from Cashaway, a daughter of the prolific CPA who produced Authorize ($385,425) and Act Now ($532,067). (5) TREACHEROUS REIGN finished up willingly behind the talented Zero Tolerance in a recent qualifier. (4) ODDS ON CLEARWATER is the third foal from a mare that produced 1:51 4/5 performer Awash ($221K).
Race 5
(2) BATTENBERG raced very well for second in his first pari-mutuel start and should visit the winner’s circle here. (4) GALIXTON came out of the box with a solid morning effort for an interesting partnership combination of Gural, Enggren and Sbrocco. Trainer Svanstedt has been known to have them ready off the bench at times. (5) NO DRAMA PLEASE took money and raced just evenly last week; more now?
Race 6
It seems smart to search for some value in a field loaded with well-bred talented colts. (5) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH is the first foal from a $1.1 million earner Shelliscape. He sprinted home well versus a visually impressive No Mas Amor in his latest qualifier and could have more in the tank. (2) BLACKLIGHT is almost sure to be the favorite. First foal from $1.9 million earner (1:48 4/5) I Luv The Nitelife was a very easy winner in his last qualifier and has gone 3-for-3 in the morning. (7) SHIPSHAPE is the third foal from a mare that has already produced serious winners Sayulita ($194K, 1:51 1/5) and Bettor’s Up ($636K, 1:49 4/5). (1) ODDS ON BOCA RATON qualified well and mare did throw Captive Audience ($789K, 1:48 3/5) six foals back.
Race 7
(2) IZZY HANOVER qualified nicely behind Zero Tolerance who was a first-out winner. First two foals from Ideal Newton have earned over $200K each. (7) TALL DRINK HANOVER finished less than length behind the top pick in their last qualifier. The value should be there but her post isn’t ideal. (6) JOYCE’S CHOICES comes off a qualifying win at Tioga. Filly is a half-sister to $1.4 million earner Handsoffmycookie.
Race 8
(1) PENPAL is winless on the year but returns back to her preferred surface and finds an ideal spot. (7) STORMTRACKER draws into a spot where she can gun off the gate and make her presence felt. (9) ROCKIN PRALINE comes off a sharp victory for a high percentage barn.
Race 9
(4) TACTICAL LANDING kept his act together in that last qualifier. Talented yet erratic former $800,000 yearling purchase could be anything if he minds his manners. (2) CLASSICHAP continues to be unlucky on the track. He has ability. (7) SOUTHWIND CHROME will offer value and could be dangerous if the top two have issues.
Race 10
(8) ICOMMANDMYSPIRIT has done much in her three starts this year but has plenty of class and faces a dull field. (1) THE SECOND STAR has speed and the inside position to fire off the gate; big shot. (3) JENNA HANOVER has hidden form and an improved post this time. (9) DAENERY’S HANOVER picked up Gingras while in form.
Race 11
(8) SWEET ROYALTY blew out a big mile at Saratoga on Tuesday and wheels right back here. Breaking problems seem to be behind him and the switch to the big track should only help. (4) IT’S CHOCOLATE TIME rallied well after some time off and could be ready for a top effort. (3) QUEENS LONELY EARL qualified nicely with hobbles added.
Race 12
(1) MOTHER BONNIE kicked home very nicely in her latest qualifier. Trixton filly could be an upset special. (5) SPECIAL HONOR looked special winning her career debut and deserves to be the favorite. (6) ATONEMENT & (7) STARITA raced well most recently and should be considered.
Race 13
(4) UNION STATION hasn’t raced in more than three weeks but did seem impressive in his morning sessions. This barn usually sends them out firing. (3) U S CAPTAIN is an impeccably bred son of Captaintreacherous with unlimited potential; Gingras’ choice. (1) CAPTAIN AHAB has done everything right in the morning.
Race 14
(4) SUN SHINES BRIGHT is a sister to race 13 starter U S Captain. She looked good winning last time and doesn’t face much tonight. (6) CENTER OF HOPE can take some air and succeed, which is a great quality. (1) MODESTY should be tight off the bench after chasing Miso Fast. (3) SAND ARTIST comes out of a fast mile.
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