Meadowlands: Saturday 1/12 Analysis
Best Bet: OCEAN COLONY (12th)
Spot Play: FOUR STACES (5th)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 114 - 331 / $653.70 (-$8.30)
BEST BETS: 9 - 27 / $29.20 (-$24.80)
Race 1
(1) CODE WORD has been showing some signs of life in recent weeks for a barn that is doing better now after a slow start. Classy veteran could be ready to step up. (6) ABBEYLARA has been ultra-consistent but tends to wear horses down. If one of the others in this race brings a big mile, he might be settling for second. (7) MEDOLAND JATE has won in this class before and is dropping down. (9) IDEAL ROMANCE is back at the level of the claim.
Race 2
(3) REBEL ROUSER steps up a bit after consecutive wins. This spot is clearly tougher but as long as he isn’t odds-in, he is very playable. (8) JK MUSICMAN drops from NW4 to a mixed NW2/3. He should improve on that angle alone, but the fact that he is in the sale on January 21 could mean he’ll bring a big effort. (4) DUCKIES DYNASTY moves from post 10 to post 3 and has good form. (5) ALTA SHELBY N should be in the number somewhere but hasn’t been able to last in deep stretch. (9) DECLAN SEELSTER has plenty of form but was dealt a tough assignment from post 10.
Race 3
(5) BIG STRETCH MARK hasn’t come back from a break super sharp, but he lands in a good spot tonight where he should make the top and sit a great trip at a big price. (9) BETTOR’S WESTERN drops down in class for a good barn. (8) MASTER OF PUPPETS has been racing well in claimers and now visits the basement condition. I’d expect a decent effort if he can work out a good trip.
Race 4
(3) ROCK THE NITE raced evenly from the back of the pack versus better last week and was stuck in post 10 prior to that. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him show early speed tonight. (1) INCREDIBLE SHARK came up with a big mile last time and drew better this week versus only slightly better. (4) DECISION DAY might not be the best horse in the race but has the early speed to place himself in a great spot.
Race 5
(9) FOUR STACES roared down the stretch to an impressive victory in his first start for this barn and earns a class hike here. Callahan drove him that night and books off for (3) CC BIG BOY SAM, but we get a great replacement in Gingras. The latter is back at the level of his recent claim two starts back and has won for this tag many times before. (4) FLEM N EM N should be in prime position after leaving the gate and did pull off a nice upset last Saturday.
Race 6
(4) JOE’S BID blew away cheaper last week and now double bumps up in class. Luckily he drew into a softer NW8500 and for this barn I would expect him to be live considering he’ll be sold in the Mixed Sale. (8) TERROR OF THE NITE broke last week but is very comfortable in this class and should be a major player. (6) ELECTRIC WESTERN took a shot last time and couldn’t sustain. A better trip could produce better results.
Race 7
(1) CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A climbed the ladder to this class two starts back but hasn’t had much opportunity from outside posts. Down Under import finally gets a favorable starting slot and should have an opportunity to shine. (7) GEEZ JOE was placed on the engine and faltered when last seen. Does he gun to the top in this spot? Do we want to accept a short price? (6) K RYAN BLUECHIP is putting in big race after big race lately. I couldn’t fault anyone that used him on top.
Race 8
(4) IDEAL JIMMY actually put in a good effort last time considering he was way up in class and making only his second start since 2016. He is going to pop a big mile soon and it’s just a matter of whether tonight is the night. (1) DULL ROAR finished second ahead of the top pick last time. (7) BUSHWACKER has speed and form but lacks the winning desire nearing the wire.
Race 9
(2) SISKEL took a shot last time and tired. Now he drops down again and really doesn’t get any excuses. (7) THAT’S MY OPINION spun his wheels in the slop after tracking cover last Saturday; another class-dropper. (8) ROUGH ODDS has put up some even miles from outside posts while racing up in class.
Race 10
(9) MONTY’S PLAY was rolling along before he was done in by post 8 at Yonkers on Monday. He’s back in at The Meadowlands now and should have a big chance to shine. (4) MAJOR AUTHORITY took a shot and tired versus NW6 company last time. Now in a split NW4/5, he should have a say. (1) SURFING TIDE looks for three in a row as he nears being sold on January 21. (7) WISE IMAGE should flash speed as usual and be a player.
Race 11
(1) SPICEBOMB is a bit of an unknown in terms of form having been off since August and only coming off a Freehold qualifier. That said, this field came up quite soft and perhaps we can get lucky with him at a price. (5) PRETTY BOY HILL took a shot and weakened last week. He can do more with a better trip. (6) FRANKANDJOANNE finds a field that seems to lack early speed and he certainly has that quality.
Race 12
(5) OCEAN COLONY looked to be in a good spot and came up just short last time. The competition tonight is much softer. Be happy if you can get 3-5. (2) BARIMAH A raced ok in this class the last two weeks. He should be able to push around #1 and get into decent position. (8) BRUCE’S MAGIC was nailed at the wire last week and if he couldn’t hold on there, I don’t see how he does it this week. (10) MORE DRAGON drops to the level of his last win, but he’ll need some luck to get the job from post 10.
Race 13
(7) ITSNOPROBLEMMAN rolled versus most of these last week and seems odds-on to do it again. (8) BEACHCHIP HANOVER gets a bit of a change in posts versus the top one and #9 this week. That could make the difference. (6) REACH FOR INFINITY returns to the claiming ranks for a reduced tag. (9) OBSCENE BLUE CHIP has been doing good work lately but may have landed too far outside this week.
Race 14
(9) WALTZACROSSTHEWIRE gets an interesting barn change and seems worth a shot as long as they don’t hammer him at the windows. (1) ROCK ON THE HILL won in this class two starts back. Driver change to Callahan tonight could help. (3) MAGNUM MIKE was uninvolved after getting away slow off a 22-day break. He can turn it around. (4) IDEAL CANDIDATE is plenty sharp but it remains to be seen how he handles the class rise.