Meadowlands: Friday 8/4 Analysis
Best Bet: SEVEN KARATS (2nd)
Spot Play: EVELYN (6th)
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: 114 - 285 / $542.00 (-$28.00)
BEST BETS: 16 - 23 / $51.60 (+$5.60)
Race 1
(7) OSTRICH BLUE CHIP seems to have found a comfy spot for the first time since May. She was used through some fast fractions in the EBC Final and should enjoy the monster class drop. (1) ETERNAL PATROL is going to attract a ton of attention with Tetrick taking the lines and this son of Muscle Hill certainly merits consideration, but he is still 0 for 13 in his career. (6) JAZEBEL DE VIE showed some late life most recently and could be moving in the right direction from a form perspective.
Race 2
(4) SEVEN KARATS took care of business in a solid career debut and doesn’t seem to have much competition to threaten her here. (6) APPRENTICE M took some air and finished nicely to start her career up at Mohawk. Kadabra-sired filly seems to have some ability. (7) SWING IT CATHY wouldn’t be a shock to fire off the gate in this spot. She can compete with the right trip but is probably better used underneath.
Race 3
(3) REAL DJ HANOVER missed four weeks of action and returned with a solid win at Philly. Five-year-old fits perfectly with this group and should be forwardly placed for a good trip. Note that the husband-wife Svanstedt team took home this amateur event last year on Hambo weekend. (6) MOOSE MADNESS was a good second while facing better in his last start at Philly. He’s a major contender and the likely favorite. (1) EXTRACURRICULAR ships in from Plainridge with some decent form and should be close to the action. (9) EXPLOSIVE MAN has the ability to win this race by open lengths or break and cost you everything you wagered; your call.
Race 4
I’m going to take a shot here with (9) WAR CRY HALL. While his recent races look unspectacular, he has finished with some sneaky trot and raced exceptionally well in his last two amateur races. (2) DANISH DURANGO is down in class and really should prove tough in a spot like this one. (3) FLYING ISA N never got involved last time but remains in form. (1) TECH TITAN finally behaved and came up with a big performance at 50-1 last out. Driver Peter Arnqvist won one of these amateur races here last year.
Race 5
(4) ROLL N CATCH finally rewarded those that have been backing him heavily at the windows for weeks. This looks like a similar spot to last time and he should get the job done again. (2) HENRY HILL didn’t do much of note in his last qualifier, but he was facing some quality horse in there that would crush this group. Roll With Joe 3-year-old seems as good as any of the rest. (8) BIG STRETCH MARK battled with the top choice and just missed last week; main danger again. (7) ART MIAMI has been fairly consistent and seems like a tri/super must.
Race 6
(3) EVELYN goes from the Del Miller and Hambo Oaks to this ‘B’ level stake and gets a positive driver change. This looks like a prime spot to win her first race of the year. (5) GRANDMA’S MONI added hobbles and went down the road last time; serious contender. (2) LEET HANOVER has the early speed to be a factor and should get a nice piece.
Race 7
I can make at least a loose case for any of these horses on the win end, which makes it a difficult race to kick off the pick four. (2) HAMMER TIME qualified well behind a fast trotter in his first effort for the Svanstedt barn. If we can get a double-digit mutuel, I’d take a shot. (1) MUSCLES JARED rallied reasonably well versus much better last time out. George Ducharme trainee is fairly consistent. (10) LINDY THE GREAT comes off a huge qualifier and adds Tetrick. He would be no surprise in here. (4) SNOWSTORM HANOVER finally picked up his first win of the year at The Meadows last Saturday. Maybe Lasix has made a big difference?
Race 8
(9) PREPARTY dropped to this class last week and was used up while uncovered in the middle of the mile. He gets a negative post switch here but does pick up Gingras and perhaps will be sent off the wings of the gate. (1) DOO WOP HANOVER qualified back well enough, but has he simply lost it or can he revert to being a top older pacer? (10) PHOENIX WARRIOR N was given a nice easy qualifier. I can see him winning, but what kind of trip will he get from post 10? (8) DIAL OR NODIAL has been racing fairly well but can’t finish his miles.
Race 9
(1) MONTALBANO BI is as good as any of these when he gets a clean trip. I’ll take a shot in another race in this late pick four sequence that is difficult to decipher. (2) BLITZ JET raced evenly in his first start since last November. You have to think some improvement is on the way. (5) LAUDERDALE & (7) GOLD MEDAL SWAN have plenty of early speed and either is capable of taking this field down the road.
Race 10
(9) ABERDEEN HANOVER was written into this race on the bottom AE condition. This is a clear class drop for him and he should be able to overcome the outside post with a reasonable trip. (1A) HARRY TERROR just missed last Saturday in a solid effort; dangerous. (5) WHATAORSE is plenty sharp now. (1) INDEPENDENT ONE comes as a coupled partner of #1A and has some credentials as a win candidate as well.
Race 11
(3) CALIFORNIA CRUISIN raced very well in his career debut despite dealing with some traffic trouble. I’ll take him over (1) ODDS ON LAUDERDALE, who I also like in this race, due to the likelihood of better odds. The latter sprinted home from behind slow fractions in both of his Kindergarten efforts. (8) DECOY lost to a good-looking foe in his first career start at Philly and seems to have some ability.
Race 12
(8) INSPIRATION gets plenty of class relief and picks up Gingras in the bike. I have to think he’ll be firing this guy to the front and go a long way. (10) ART HISTORY hasn’t raced since April but is clearly the class of the race. If he leaves the gate strong, he has a big shot. (3) RING WARRIOR should get away near the front in this spot and have every chance, though I’m viewing him as an underneath only play. (1) MASERATI SEELSTER can save ground this week and get into the number.
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