Meadowlands: Saturday 12/14 Analysis

MEET STATS: 218-69-30-28 / $311.60 (-$124.40)
BEST BETS: 17-8-2-0 / $23.90 (-$10.10)
BEST BET: KARPATHIAN KID (10th)
SPOT PLAY: TROLLEY (6th)
Race 1 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5 - **$25K GTD Pick 5**
(1) MESSI N put in an even effort from a tough post last week. He moves inside now for a barn that tends to fire when in the right spots. (8) ROCK THREE TIMES went a crazy trip last week. He left hard into the pocket, challenged the leader immediately, tried to get the pocket again but was denied and then got impeded by the breaking winner. Veteran drops in class and could show more. (3) STAND BY ME N looks like a fit on arrival from Hoosier but hasn’t raced in six weeks.
Race 2 – Trackmaster Rating 79.5 or less Consolation
(2) CANBEC KINGKAZIMIR had no shot from post 9 last time and was in a tougher spot the week prior. I can see him showing early speed in this abbreviated field. (3) OHIO LARRY is supposed to take care of business here but he failed as the chalk last time and I’m losing faith. (6) JOHN DALLY has some early speed and could get lucky on the front.
Race 3 – Non-winners $6,500 in last 5
(1) SAMS A CHAMP A returns to The Meadowlands a couple of classes lower than when last seen here. He really should take this field to task. (5) BEACHCHIP HANOVER lost ground back to third and rallied well last week. He can threaten with the right trip. (4) MARINER SEELSTER has early speed and might just be in prime position.
Race 4 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5
(5) ANOTHER DAILY COPY has a slight tactical edge here as he should be cutting the pace; barn has been on fire. (4) PALOMAR posted a career best effort last time and seems worth following. (1) ATTA BOY DAN was on quite a roll before getting in with strong foes at Yonkers. Veteran has 19 wins this year. (6) HARAMBE DEO went a tough trip last time and weakened. He’s a threat here.
Race 5 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5
(1) WHITTAKER N gets a nice post shift to a spot where he can relax early and not come away last. (6) SEEING EYE SINGLE has a few starts under his belt since returning from a break. With the class drop and return of Gingras, I think we’ll see early speed tonight. (8) DECOY was racing well and should keep his form for new connections. (5) BIG BAD BILL looks like a lower exotics player that won’t get bet heavily.
Race 6 – Non-winners $20,000 in last 5
(7) TROLLEY lands in a great spot this week inside his main rival (9) RICH AND MISERABLE and should be primed for a strong effort after an even attempt last week following four weeks off. The latter made an uncharacteristic break last time. If he looks ok on the track, I’d say he’s safe to play. (6) NOWS THE MOMENT has been here before and raced well. Unfortunately a minor award could be his ceiling in this field.
Race 7 – Preferred
(3) WHEELS ON FIRE came back from a four-month break and just missed in a very nice effort. All systems should be on GO for tonight and Gingras choosing off means we’ll get a better price. (6) GEEZ JOE bested the top pick in a field he was expected to defeat last time. He has a big shot once again. (7) FRANCO TOTEM N is up in class but more than sharp enough to play with these.
Race 8 – Trackmaster Rating 82.7 or less Final – **$50K GTD Pick 4**
(5) BAY RUM has found his grove over the last two weeks and with the post shift inside, he should bring a big effort. (7) FATHER SARDUCCI rolled down the road last time and I don’t see that much earlier speed signed on. (4) DAVID THE SAINT is another who can leave fast; player on the expectation of a good close-up trip.
Race 9 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5
None of these really stand out for me so I’ll try (7) NO EASY DAY, who has been racing fairly well and should offer some value. (2) INCREDIBLE SHARK came up flat last time; driver change now. (1) SOMEBADDUDE has missed a lot of time but is at the right level. He’ll probably need a start but I wouldn’t be shocked if he won, either.
Race 10 – Trackmaster Rating 79.5 or less Final
(6) KARPATHIAN KID went down the road in consecutive starts and it’s hard to find a horse that will stand in the way of a three-peat. (3) DAVID’S DREAM rallied nicely for the win last time and only needs to be in striking position to have a shot. (7) ROCKS NOBLE ARTIST has been racing well but will need a clean trip to contend.
Race 11 – Non-winners $6,500 in last 5
(6) LARDEO TORPEDO N sat third on the pylons through the stretch with clearly something left in the tank and was never shown daylight. There seems to be much more to this guy than meets the eye from that charted line. (1) DON’T JUDGE A BOOK went a tough trip last time and could be a player with a smooth trip. (2) BUSHWACKER isn’t the horse he once was but this NW6500 came up light outside of perhaps the top choice.
Race 12 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(3) PRIMO GIOVANNI picked up his game in a big way last time and seems poised to win. (4) NIALL HANOVER gets a major trainer change here and might wake up; will be overbet. (2) DEMOCRACY N moves to an inside post and I’m expecting to see some early speed.
Race 13 – Trackmaster Rating 86.35 or less Final
(7) ANGERS BAYAMA had an outside post last time and was one of six leavers. He did get a cozy tuck and worked out a good cover trip but was outkicked by a foe with an even better trip. Three-year-old now has a start over the track and might be ready to show even more. (2) BARIMAH A had to wait for room in the stretch but paced home with the top pick when clear; value option. (8) WINNING LINC worked out a great trip and picked up his third win in four starts; outside post hurts. (4) JK CAPTAIN JACK rallied as best he could from a tough spot last time; Gingras drives now.