Meadowlands: Saturday 10/19 Analysis

MEET STATS: 13-3-5-2 / $13.80 (-$12.20)
BEST BETS: 1-0-1-0 / $0.00 (-$2.00)
BEST BET: BARIMAH A (11th)
SPOT PLAY: CITY HALL (6th)
Race 1 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5 - **$25K GTD PICK-5**
(5) THE DARK SHADOW flashed early speed and lacked a stretch punch last time in his first start since June. Since the barn came out swinging with a couple of good performances and due to the lack of a standout here, I’ll take a shot. (8) SHIM and (9) MR CARROTTS both rallied from the back nicely last week and look like players if they can get involved from outside posts.
Race 2 – Non-winners 4/6 races or $50,000/$70,000 life
(7) RESPECT OUR FLAG just missed last week in this class and should take this crew to task. (2) MAJOR DECEPTION didn’t do much racing on the rim at the back of the pack last week from a bad starting slot. If he has something in the tank, we’ll see it tonight. (3) BETTER THAN SOME gets a better post to work with here and might elect to show some early speed.
Race 3 – Non-winners $3,750 in last 5
It is hard to get excited about any of these horse, but if you search back to last October (9) MAYFAIR JOHNNY B came to town and won in this class at 17-1. I’m not expecting that price here, but at least we know he is a capable horse over this surface. (1) PEMBROKE BADA BING has been keeping decent company out of town. (7) MYSTICAL MOTOR qualified back decently for new connections and could awaken.
Race 4 – Trackmaster Rating 79 or less
(3) OHIO LARRY steps up in class on the Trackmaster spectrum but still seems like much the best. (2) KARPATHIAN KID was used early and tired last time. This is a sizable drop in class. (4) SURE PLEASE seems to be moving in the right direction for new trainer Andrew Harris. (9) ONE TOUGH NUT was overbet last time. He’s got a puncher’s chance in here at a much better price now.
Race 5 – $7,500 Claiming
(5) CC BIG BOY SAM just missed for us at 14-1 last week after being away from the races for more than five weeks. With that start in hand he should be ready to pop off an even bigger mile. (2) WALKS OF LIFE is back in the $7,500 claiming ranks where he belongs; should be near the front here. (9) ABBEYLARA switches back to the big track where he has seen success. (1) SHADOW NEWTON comes to town with early speed and form.
Race 6 – Non-winners $6,500 in last 5
(10) CITY HALL won his last three starts here and hasn’t lost in this class at The Meadowlands since 2017. While post 10 isn’t ideal, he loves this track and the bad post helps the price. (2) NO EASY DAY rallied well with Lasix added last time and should be set up for a good effort from the better post. (3) FRANKIE ROCKS A was bet off the board at the Red Mile after a stellar qualifier. He clearly has ability. (8) MY DELIGHT is fast enough to win if they set him up from off the pace.
Race 7 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5
(6) OCEAN COLONY catches an easier group than last week and should be headed to the front. (1) SAMS A CHAMP A raced well from the second tier last time and was in similar tough spots the previous two weeks. He’s a clear player in this field. (9) ARTIE’S IDEAL qualified back well and put in a good effort in the Jug when last seen. (10) LIKE CLOCKWORK tries the big track after some good effort at The Meadows since moving into this barn.
Race 8 – Non-winners $20,000 in last 5 **$50K GTD PICK-4**
(6) SWEET ROCK comes off a dull-looking line but was facing much better. He can step up in this field. (9) VEGA STAR N put up some good numbers in Australia and two qualifiers should have him tight; interesting. (3) AMERICANPRIMETIME comes off two good efforts and draws better here. (1) HARAMBE DEO is off a big mile.
Race 9 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5
(7) FRANCO TOTEM N was out part of the first turn and found some early stretch traffic in his first start over the track. This looks like a good spot for him to shine. (1) HEAVENLY SOUND and (2) RON’S EOM have inside speed in a field that seems to lack that quality. Maybe one of them could steal the race?
Race 10 – Trackmaster Rating 83.1 or less
(7) ROCK N BLUE moves out of the regular conditioned ranks into what looks like an easier spot. I’ll take a shot here in a weak field for the class. (4) PROPHET BLUE CHIP scored here last week and was Miller’s choice. (3) THESPYWHOLOVEDME took air and raced well last time despite coming off a layoff; clear threat.
Race 11 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(6) BARIMAH A couldn’t quite get there last week but drops to the basement condition now. As my buddy Dave Little says, bet with both hands. (3) STORMONT CZAR A held well despite racing on the rim last time; chance if the top one falters. (9) ROCKATHON should be put in play but has to hope for a decent trip from the outside post.
Race 12 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less
(6) FOUR STACES has no form but gets a driver change and has done well here in the past. In an awful field on paper, he seems worth a roll of the dice if the price is fair. (8) SPONDULICKS N has the early speed to be a player. (1) TWINCREEKS JESSE comes to town with a lesser known driver but one that is capable of getting the job done if this veteran is ready to fire.
Race 13 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(4) NARCIAN JEWEL has been racing reasonably well out of town and this race is a complete crapshoot. (6) FOLLOWTHEWIND N closed well last time out. (3) PERCY BLUECHIP has big early speed and could get brave on the engine. (1) MAJOR MAID woke up upon arrival here last week.