Meadowlands: Saturday 11/3 Analysis
Best Bet: SEVEN HILLS (3rd)
Spot Play: AWESOMENESS (8th)
Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 22 - 65 / $161.70 (+$31.70)
BEST BETS: 1 - 5 / $2.80 (-$7.20)
Race 1
(5) SO TAKE THAT got moving in the right direction again with a win at Philly on Wednesday and does have eight wins here since the start of 2017. (6) WINDSONG JACK improved in his first start for new trainer Ron Burke and should be placed into the mix from the onset. (10) JOE’S BID raced evenly after five months off. Post 10 hurts, but this 4-year-old is more than fast enough to make some noise.
Race 2
(3) SHOW ME UP gets claimed after an impressive win in the preliminary round of this mini-series. He shouldn’t miss a beat for new connections. (4) MEDOLAND JATE & (6) CHEYENNE REIDER also picked up wins last time for a barn that is running well. (2) MAJOR STARLIGHT gets some post relief and seems capable of an upset with the right trip.
Race 3
(5) SEVEN HILLS has been rolling along with four victories to start his career by a combined 16-plus lengths. He seems to be a step better than his foes. (4) DIVINE SPIRIT has a two-race winning streak of his own but I’m not sure he is advanced as the top pick. (6) REIGN OF HONOR has picked up his game with hobbles added. (8) LUCKY WEEKEND has the early zip to get involved and should offer some value.
Race 4
(6) SAMS TRIPLE CROWN got caught in a fast mile against a stakes horse in Check Six when last seen here. Four-year-old races well over this surface and should provide good value coming off an 8th place finish. (1) BUSHWACKER raced evenly with no shot from the back of the pack last week. He’s a big threat in here; must use. (5) DURANT has speed, class and some form. Don’t be shocked if he steps up versus this much tougher group. (10) IWILLMAKEYOUSAYWOW has eight wins in 23 starts here the last two years and does ship in off some good efforts.
Race 5
(6) PRINCESS DEO was in over her head in the Breeders Crown versus Woodside Charm last time. Prior to that she was racing well in stakes action at The Red Mile. She’ll offer a nice price and should be live. (2) JEZZYS LEGACY rated nicely and sprinted home well to win last week. Schnittker will have her forwardly placed again and she is another that could be a fair value. (4) GLOBAL PAGEANT has won each of the last two weeks at odds-on but doesn’t look to be heads and tails above the competition.
Race 6
(6) MCTHRILLER drops down off a solid effort last week racing in the Richard Johnson barn for the first time. (8) SPORTSMANSHIP gets a free ride in this class because Tuesday’s win doesn’t count in his earnings; contender. (7) BULLET BOB & (9) BUGGER BRUISER have the early speed to make some noise. Either is capable of winning with the right trip.
Race 7
(2) TREACHEROUS REIGN stopped badly in the Breeders Crown, but efforts like that are usually anomalies. While not spectacular, her prior form versus mostly better foes was decent. Captaintreacherous filly has upset potential. (5) MICHELON’S FILLY has rolled by her competition in the stretch very impressively in each of her last two starts; must use. (8) ODDS ON ST LUCIE has done everything right of late but the outside post hurts. (6) SWEET DIAMOND has the ability but has lacked the killer instinct in the stretch.
Race 8
(2) AWESOMENESS steps up in class on paper but this is more of a lateral move. The more important factor is the much improved post in a field that seems to lack early speed. This is a perfect spot. (1) OCEAN COLONY should be sitting no worse than second and lured David Miller off my top pick. (3) DRAGON TIME moves into the Burke barn and looks fast enough to contend.
Race 9
This is really an interesting race with many options. (5) NO ORDINARY MAN hasn’t been able to get over the top yet but has chased home and gained ground on multiple occasions. Betterthancheddar gelding seems capable of an upset. (4) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH was the victim of a slow pace set by (3) MAC’S POWER last time out. Both are capable of winning here but I wouldn’t want a short price on either. (7) MELANIE’S TEDY was a 1:52 winner two starts back and he does add Gingras this time.
Race 10
This is clearly a weaker NW8500, so why not try (9) JACKSRLUCKYTOO? He loves this track and is capable of passing the entire field in the stretch if need be. (4) GHOST PINE set his career mark here early in the year. I don’t see a ton of early speed signed on; maybe he can steal it? (7) STRATOCASTER won two straight here in October and really doesn’t take as big of a step as it seems on paper.
Race 11
(4) NOBLES FINESSE comes with the question mark of a long layoff, but he qualified well enough and faces a dull group. (8) TARPORT ANDY romped at Vernon last time. (2) GALACTIC GALLEON N doesn’t like to win lately but should sit close and get into the number. (5) LONE WOLF TERROR is capable if he behaves.