Meadowlands: Friday 8/3 Analysis
Best Bet: PRINCESS DEO (2nd)
Spot Play: RICH AND MISERABLE (7th)
Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 95 - 273 / $457.50 (-$88.50)
BEST BETS: 17 - 25 / $51.60 (+$1.60)
Race 1
(10) FIJI has been racing way up in class since a dominating win in his last amateur race appearance. There is no reason he can’t go down the road tonight. (5) MULTITASKR HANOVER doesn’t jump off the page, but this driver/trainer has done well in the amateur races this meet and other than the top pick, none of these look overly enticing. (9) HES A CASTOFF has some versatility and could get lucky with the right trip. (8) METEORIC has returned from a long break with two solid tries.
Race 2
(3) PRINCESS DEO made no attempt to get into the race until the stretch and finished very well up the cones. Trixton-sired filly has more in the tank that we haven’t seen yet. (5) FRENCH CAFÉ made a costly mistake in one of the bigger moments of her early career. She ranks highly in this field and should be the favorite. (4) GOLDEN TRICKS seems to slowly be coming into form and could pull off an upset. (2) LADY ALLAIRE gets a driver change to Miller.
Race 3
(4) LEVITATION raced steadily after a month on the sidelines. He doesn’t need to improve much to best this group. (9) MIKEY LIKES IT chased a runaway winner in Lawmaker last time and fellow Hambletonian entrants Tactical Landing and Southwind Chrome before that. Four-year-old takes on mostly younger foes and could shine. (3) E L PLATINUM raced well last week and now gets a better post to start from.
Race 4
I was clearly premature believing that (5) POINTS NORTH was going to be handled aggressively in an attempt to beat a solid field of older foes; he did finish in 25 4/5. Now he is back in against a field of his peers and I’m going to take a second shot. (2) KEY ADVISOR raced evenly from an outside post in his first start of the year. I have to think he’ll show more now. (7) DECOY was highly regarded early in the year but things didn’t pan out. He has a shot but I won’t be on board for a top spot.
Race 5
These amateur races can be tricky and the addition of a couple of foreign drivers could shake things up for sure. (4) HIGH BLUE has been racing well out of town despite poor posts since moving into this barn and seems like the most logical winner. (6) STARSABOVEALLERAGE is a fast and capable horse when he feels like it. Will this driver elect to leave hard? (1) MOOSE MADNESS is handled by a good amateur who hasn’t had many good opportunities here this year.
Race 6
(1) SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A raced very well at this level last week from an outside post and now tackles a mixed bag of lower level horses moving up and a couple who have been in the NW8750 class. I’ll stick with her. (10) BRUCE’S MAGIC has the big gate speed needed to make the top from post 10 and might just pull off the upset. (5) BETTORS GLASS is capable of a big mile at times if the race sets up nicely. (3) URBANITE HANOVER & (4) SPORTSMANSHIP are stepping up off runaway victories.
Race 7
(3) RICH AND MISERABLE came up with a huge mile despite the sixth-place finish last week and clearly showed his ability. With the inside post tonight, hopefully it will lead to a smooth trip. (6) FLEET ADMIRAL overcame early breaks in his first two career tries to finish first and second. With a world-class driver getting in the sulky, perhaps this well-bred son of Muscle Hill and Cantab It All will mind his manners. (5) FOR A DREAMER behaved last week and put in a solid effort. He’s capable if he trots. (1) THE FIRST CHAPTER took some time to get to the races but showed his worth up at Woodbine Mohawk Park; using.
Race 8
(6) SAMS TRIPLE CROWN was behind the 8-ball literally last week and couldn’t find enough in the tank to last the mile on the engine. Moving in a couple of slots should give Callahan the chance to change tactics and roll off cover. (2) SANTIAGO STYLE loomed but came up short last time. The inside post should provide a good trip and give him a big shot. (4) BLOOD LINE is a talented horse that has run into bad form. He chased some good ones in his last qualifier without incident and perhaps he’s turned the corner. (5) EXPRESS STRIDE N is a dangerous trip horse at this level.
Race 9
(7) ROCKAHOLIC didn’t fire last week in his first start on Lasix, but that can be attributed to missing four weeks of action. Against a field that is devoid of form, I’ll take a shot. (2) FRANKIE BOY gets an inside post to work with this week and could find early speed. (5) BUCKEYE IN CHARGE has early speed and could be firing to the front.
Race 10
(8) FRASER RIDGE seems to have his breaking issues under control and now he gets monster class relief. It’s hard to say what he is ready to accomplish but he is as fast as any of these. (4) TACO TUESDAY moves into the Miller barn while in fine form. This 5-year-old has done some good things in his career. (3) SHADY MCCOY won’t make you want to run to the windows but he is capable of lightning up the board. (5) MISSLAROSE has early speed and could go a big mile, but she hasn’t been able to get over the top lately.
Race 11
(3) LONE WOLF TERROR drops back down the condition ladder and catches a soft group. There are no excuses this week. (1) ALWAYS A DIAMOND has early speed, an inside post and a Hall of Fame driver, but he is 0 for 19 this year. (6) VOICE OF TRUTH looked good two starts back but came up flat last time.
Race 12
(3) VICTORY AT LAST should fire to the front and have a big shot at taking this dull field all the way. (8) JUST TOYIN WITH YA moves into the Ron Burke barn and is certainly eligible to improve. (2) BOBJACKS ANGLE A is more of an exotics threat, but this is a good spot for him to get a nice piece. (1) MAGNUM MIKE has a couple of starts under his belt after a long break and also drops in claiming price.
[DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]