Meadowlands: Saturday 1/11 Analysis

MEET STATS: 24-4-3-4 / $19.60 (-$28.40)
BEST BETS: 2-0-0-0 / $0.00 (-$4.00)
BEST BET: ISLAND OF THE SEA (2nd)
SPOT PLAY: JK WILL POWER (3rd)
Race 1 – Trackmaster Rating 79.5 or less - **$25K GTD Pick 5**
This is about as soft a TM79 as you’ll see and (2) NOTORIOUS seems well-spotted drawing an inside post this week. Three starts back he raced very well here. (7) SUNSET OVER MIAMI won in a cheaper class last time but really doesn’t face a much more difficult task tonight; needs to show early speed. (8) WILLIE BOOTS drops and adds Dunn; watch out! (4) MCCITO came here last week and got stuck in a fast mile.
Race 2 – Non-winners 2 races or $20,000 life
(9) ISLAND OF THE SEA has taken some time to get to the races but seems like the real deal so far. Despite the bad post, he should handle this field. (8) SO MUCH BETTER raced very well upon arrival and doesn’t exactly have a lot of early speed to contend with on the inside of the gate. (7) A MAJOR OMEN struggled on the final turn but displayed good determination to kick in late last time. (4) AMERICAN VISION should make an easy lead and sit a good trip.
Race 3 – Non-winners $5,000 in last 5
(5) JK WILL POWER got a bit sideways tipping wide at the head of the lane and that may have cost him the half-length he lost by as he paced home willingly through the stretch. In just his second try for this hot barn, he can pick up his game. (1) CHANGE STRIDE N was even after a two-month break in action. Veteran is capable at this level and adds Dunn. (6) ITS JUST TOO MUCH looks to be sharp enough and does fit with this class.
Race 4 – Trackmaster Rating 82.6 or less
I’m going to roll the dice here with (6) I’M AN ATHLETE. Veteran gelding finds a field loaded with early speed types and he could be set up nicely at a nice double-digit price. (5) ONE LUCKY DRAGON and (4) CRACKLIN ROSIE have climbed the ladder successfully and both look like serious contenders. (9) KARPATHIAN KID has big speed off the gate and good form.
Race 5 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5
(8) MY LINDY WINNER toured the track as expected from post 10 in his first start since July. With that race under his belt, and considering that he’s stuck in this class win or lose for a few starts, let’s look for major improvement. (4) JL CRUZE has the back class to trounce this field but those days may be in his rearview mirror. (6) VERY VERY FAST came up big in his first start for this barn and is eligible to keep going. (2) O SO EASY is back down in class on paper but doesn’t exactly catch an easy field.
Race 6 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5
This is a tricky race where I won’t be investing heavily. (4) DECOY drops to the proper level. Perhaps new driver Callahan can get a little more out of him. (3) BUSHWACKER is clearly coming into form and I wouldn’t be shocked if he called on his class here ahead of the mixed sale on Jan. 20. (2) JK WILDFIRE is another class-dropper. Trip will likely decide the winner.
Race 7 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5
(9) EFFRONTE A raced well in his first start on these shores and was Dunn’s choice over three others. (3) CLOSING STATEMENT makes his third start off the bench and drops down again; dangerous. (2) SHARP ACTION MONEY comes off a win and is sale-bound on the 20th of the month.
Race 8 – Non-winners $22,500 in last 4 - **$50K GTD Pick 4**
(5) DUPLICATED N finds a field with plenty of early speed to set him up from off the pace at a good price; taking a shot. (2) HARAMBE DEO is clearly sharp and just needs a reasonable trip to contend. (3) EDDARD HANOVER has early speed and decent form; contender.
Race 9 – Trackmaster Rating 79.5 or less
(6) WHATSTROUBLNUROCKY took care of business the last time he was seen at this level and he finds a lackluster group here. (5) STEVE SAID stopped in the slop last time. He picks up Gingras now and deserves another shot. (3) IDEAL SON was closing fast from an impossible spot last week.
Race 10 – Non-winners $7,500 in last 5
(4) FOREVERNALWAYS won for Harris at the $7,500 claiming level and the trainer (and owner James Harper III) took him back last time for $15,000. That shows me extreme confidence in the horse and I’m on board in a field without a standout. (3) BORN OF FIRE is a bit of a tease but certainly at a winning level if he comes to play. (9) ALL IT TAKES is down in class and wouldn’t be a shock on the win end.
Race 11 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5
(5) STATEMENT MADE A was used hard from an outside post at Freehold last time and paid the price. He’s a big player with this crew and should be a fair price. (7) ROCK LIGHTS has won in this class in the past and lures Dunn off my top pick. (3) WHITTAKER N is a sharp horse who is capable of making some noise. (9) KEEP ON ROCKING A makes his second start off the bench and could show more. He did win 30% of his starts and pace in 1:48 2/5 last year.
Race 12 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5
(2) FATHER SARDUCCI has been rolling along and despite the jump in class doesn’t face the toughest field here. (1) STARZNHEAVEN hasn’t been able to get into the races from outside posts lately; moves inside. (3) MCTHRILLER is a smooth trip candidate to pull off an upset.
Race 13 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(6) TWIN B JAYS shifts in class from NW4 to NW3500, which is huge. I’m not sure he’ll wake up but he certainly should. (7) URBAN RENEWAL drops in class but hasn’t raced in four weeks. (3) LYON’S IMAGE also has a stale date and was scratched-sick three weeks ago. He’s definitely fast enough to win. (9) SANATTLE SLEW could be along for the lower-level exotics.
Race 14 - $10,000/$12,500 Claiming Handicap
(8) I AM THE COWBOY closed well from an impossible spot in his first start for this barn. If Dunn can get him closer to the action . . . (1) LEAR SEELSTER just missed last time and now he moves into the Surick barn and will likely be overbet. (3) TORRID BROMAC N was used on the drop to this class last week and probably deserves a second chance. (9) PREPPY ART comes back to the Meadowlands in hopes of reviving his past form.