Meadowlands: Saturday 11/9 Analysis

MEET STATS: 78-24-17-13 / $117.00 (-$39.00)
BEST BETS: 6-3-1-0 / $9.40 (-$2.60)
BEST BET: MAJOR BETTS (2nd)
SPOT PLAY: WHITTAKER N (5th)
Race 1 – Trackmaster Rating 79.5 or less - **$25K GTD Pick 5**
(4) ALL IT TAKES displayed some signs of life last week and might finally be ready to return to form. (1) JK PRIDENJOY lacked a late kick upon arrival, but the move to an inside post could perk him up. (5) THE DARK SHADOW will be heading to the front and certainly can win, but he’ll be overbet. (2) OHIO LARRY is capable but has yet to fire at this level.
Race 2 – Home Grown 2YOs
(1) MAJOR BETTS tried to blast down the road and fell short versus a much better field last week. If he tries that again tonight, he should be up by at least five lengths at the head of the stretch. (3) FOLLOW YOUR HEART has picked up his game in recent weeks and seems like a fit with the rest of the field. (4) SOUND IDEA couldn’t handle Breeders crown foes but should enjoy this spot more.
Race 3 – Trackmaster Rating 79.5 or less
(2) FRANKANDJOANNE doesn’t look like a killer on paper but if you search his PPs for the year, the 8-year-old has a strong record in similar classes at The Meadowlands. In a weak field and at a decent price, he seems worth a play. (6) MASTER OF PUPPETS took a shot last time and tired; better trip should help. (9) IDEAL SON came up huge while down in class a week ago. (1) IN ROCK WE TRUST seems likely to find some early speed this week and could sneak into the number somewhere.
Race 4 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5
(2) MCTHRILLER clearly need the qualifier last week after many months on the sidelines. It’s debatable whether he’ll be ready for this spot, but he’s best if all systems are go. (3) SOLO STORY was super-sharp winning last week and seems worth following. (4) TACT TATE N comes off a win at Philly. Sears will likely be patient and if the trip works out, watch out!
Race 5 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(2) WHITTAKER N rode the cones evenly in his first start since August. Six-year-old is better than this group and can shine in this spot with Tetrick picking up the lines. (3) HEARTLAND REVENUE comes off a pair of even miles from impossible posts and now drops into a winning spot, though he is winless on the year. (6) HIGHLANDBEACHYCOVE and (4) BIG JER are also making their second starts after a break in action and could improve.
Race 6 – Winners 4-7 races lifetime
(6) RESPECT OUR FLAG races well every week and seems to be in store for an aggressive steer with Dunn taking over in the bike. Three-year-old gets the narrow call in a tight-knit race. (8) DA DELIGHTFUL is a sharp horse for a hot barn. Expect to see early speed. (3) DUDDIE’S LOR put in a credible effort after a long layoff. He could surprise at a big price. (7) COVERED BRIDGE is capable but may get overbet coming out of the Breeders Crown.
Race 7 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(5) CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A has been chasing slow halves week and week from off the pace to no avail. With Gingras joining the team I’m hoping he’ll be closer to the action. (2) FRANKIE ROCKS A took a shot uncovered on the class drop to this level last time and paid the price. He now has a few starts under his belt after the break in action and should be primed for his best. (1) DUBIOUS CLAIM moves down the condition ladder but doesn’t exactly have much form; mixed feelings. (7) BACKSTREET LAWYER raced well in this class last Saturday and has beaten better in the past here.
Race 8 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5 - **$50K GTD Pick 4**
(2) BUSHWACKER raced well off the bench and we all know how much class this guy has even if that is a couple of years in his rearview mirror. Switch to Miller could be a positive here. (4) HAPPY TRIO has found his ‘A’ game for new trainer Cano and seems more than capable of moving up the ladder. (1) FRANCO TOTEM N raced well in this class two starts back and adds the seemingly always hot Dexter Dunn tonight. (7) OCEAN COLONY certainly picked up some confidence with a win versus easier last time.
Race 9 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5
In a race without a standout, (6) STATEMENT MADE A switches to the big track and might just wake up. (5) NASCAR SEELSTER closed well with Tetrick added to the team last time. (1) WILD GOOSE CHASE has raced well since moving into the Toscano barn. I’d be interested to see how this one races on the lead.
Race 10 – Non-winners $6,500 in last 5
(5) BARIMAH A steps up in the condition ladder but doesn’t exactly face any killers. I’m intrigued by the driver change here and hoping he can get the best out of this classy 9-year-old. (1) CHANGE STRIDE N gets a major driver switch to Gingras and certainly has a big chance, likely at a shorter than deserved price. (4) BANK SEA gets some class relief this week for a barn that has been doing well.
Race 11 – Trackmaster Rating 83 or less
Here’s another difficult race in the Pick 4 sequence. (9) WINNING LINC has looked spectacular beater softer fields and even overcame post 9 last time. I wouldn’t put it past this sharp horse winning again. (2) ROCK THREE TIMES and (4) THESPYWHOLOVEDME finished one-two in this condition two and three starts back. They are both clear players, especially since they both show some early speed in a field that seems to lack that quality.
Race 12 – Non-winners $20,000 in last 5
(1) NEW TALENT lost to Endeavor, who is in the Potomac Pace on Sunday at Rosecroft, and some other solid foes recently. Tetrick’s choice over #2 gets the call by a slim margin. (6) HAYDEN HANOVER came back from a break with a good effort and can build on that mile. (5) HALLIE’S COMET is very sharp now and that 25 4/5 final quarter last time jumps off the page.
Race 13 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less
(2) HURRIKANE ALI was a decent horse at one point and his connections have waited a year to get him back in shape. His comeback effort was good enough to think he can step forward. (3) TAILGUNNER HANOVER also returns from a break in action, though a much shorter one; driver change. (4) ATOMIC REI also gets a new pilot and shows a race in this class last time that makes him competitive. (9) SPONDULICKS N moves into a new barn and could perk up.