Meadowlands: Friday 7/7 Analysis
Best Bet: SUPERGIRL RILEY (9th)
Spot Play: ABBIJADE HANOVER (7th)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Race 7 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 80 - 194 / $385.50 (-$2.50)
BEST BETS: 11 - 16 / $32.20 (+$.20)
Race 1
I’m determined to find value in this race since none of these standout via qualifiers or breeding. (2) DAWSON SPRINGS had his issues facing a stiff stretch wind two qualifiers back but rebounded with an unasked willing performance in a fast mile last time. (1) HILL STREET brushed and faded when he caught the wind at the head of the lane last time. Strong connections here at what should be at least a fair price. (5) GODSPELL HALL is the sixth foal from a mare that hasn’t produced much, but this son of Conway Hall did finish up willingly in his most recent workout. (3) FARSETTI HANOVER did OK in the morning and is the mare’s first foal to make the races.
Race 2
(3) BE BOP SALLY rolled versus this group last time and there is no reason to expect a different outcome. (4) DIAMONDSTONE US scratched out of the first leg; maybe she’ll provide some exotics value. (5) PRINCESS MARXXX chased the top one home as the second choice last week and should be the heavy favorite for second again.
Race 3
(5) YES MICKEY came up just short in this class last time and has no excuses this week. (2) EASTERN PROMISE makes his first start for the Melander barn and the trainer calls on David Miller to drive; interesting. (4) WUTAN hasn’t shown much yet, but the rest of the field offers little in the way of spectacular form.
Race 4
(3) UNFORGETABLE is the third foal from a mare that hasn’t done much as a mom, but this one came home willingly last time in a pretty quick mile and should offer value. (2) BAUTISTA has done everything right thus far and was Gingras’ choice. That said, has he proven to be faster than the top pick? (6) STORY TIME HANOVER is the first foal from a mare (Shared Past) that earned over $414K. His qualifier was good enough, but Gingras elected to jump ship.
Race 5
(2) AGRESTORES COMET moves back to the NW3 condition and although he faces a salty group, nothing suggests he can’t go with these. Last week he faced traffic and wasn’t exactly all out while having no shot. (4) SOUTHWIND COBRA seemed to take a step in the right direction in his recent qualifier. I’d be interested if the price hit double digits. (7) MUSCLE HIGH steps up after two straight wins; big test. (5) HILLARMBRO could be competitive but has missed five weeks.
Race 6
(1) OPULENT YANKEE outdrew his main rivals this week and should be sitting on the lead or in the pocket; good spot. (6) TUONBLU REX has only raced once in the last six weeks. The talent is there but is he tight enough to win? (1A) GURAL HANOVER is back at The Meadowlands where he put up three straight strong efforts. (7) JL CRUZE is another who missed some time (4 weeks); mixed feelings.
Race 7
(6) ABBIJADE HANOVER was grabbed up mid-stretch and lost any chance of getting a check last time. Now she goes from facing borderline Open mares to much softer competition. (2) MCACE OF ARTS had no shot from post eight at Yonkers. Her prior form here was fine. (7) WALK TWO MOONS has the early speed to make the top and should hang in for a decent check.
Race 8
(5) LIVE LAUGH LOVE kicked home nicely in her first baby race and was a very professional winner in her subsequent effort. Third foal from Shes Gone Again is a half-sister to the talented yet erratic Guess Who’s Back (1:52 4/5) and current 3-year-old standout Enterprise (1:53 1/5). (6) HONEY HONEY was just OK in the morning and mom’s first foal wasn’t anything special, but this is a big driver change to Yannick. (8) HEY BLONDIE was a bit green early in the mile last week but split foes nicely late with a willing late kick. (3) MOOSHKA STRIDE is the first foal from $1.9 million earner Check Me Out. She hasn’t done anything wrong in her qualifiers but could be overbet on name recognition.
Race 9
(2) SUPERGIRL RILEY posted the fastest winning time from 12 trotting qualifiers on June 24 and looked very impressive in victory. Full sister to Muscle Hustle (1:52 2/5) seems to have big potential. (8) BELLA GLOS dug in nicely to win her latest qualifier and was an easy winner in her previous try. That said, I’m all in on the top choice and hope this Takter/Gingras filly will take plenty of wagering action. (5) MEGADOLCE is the fifth foal from a mare that hasn’t produced any stars yet. The qualifying win at Philly looks solid enough. (10) STRAWBERRY HANOVER came up with a big mile at Gaitway, but she got the lead with a 31 3/5 opening quarter and that isn’t going to cut it from post 10 tonight. On the breeding side, mare has a few foals from eight previous that have earned north of $100k.
Race 10
(9) HYWAY MARCUS wired the field when last seen with a professional driver in this class just two starts back. (1) LANDONFITZ is another that has excelled with a catch-driver at the helm. (2) PINE TAB has plenty of form but doesn’t exactly like to win; sticking with him underneath. (10) WAR CRY HALL came up with a monster effort out of nowhere. I’m not sure what to make of that.
Race 11
(8) KNOW IT ALL & (9) SPRINGFORTH both plunge in class two levels. It was a close call which one to select on top, but ultimately Know It All should offer slightly better value since people don’t bet driver Eric Abbatiello heavily despite his current hot streak at The Meadowlands. (6) MOJARRA HANOVER is in decent form and should get into the number somewhere. (10) TWICE AN ANGEL was used setting a good clip and couldn’t last the mile; obvious threat again.
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