Meadowlands: Saturday 12/22 Analysis
Best Bet: ALTA SHELBY N (13th)
Spot Play: CENTURY CHURCHILL (11th)
Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 83 - 229 / $471.70 (+$13.70)
BEST BETS: 7 - 19 / $20.00 (-$18.00)
Race 1
(1) GRAND THEFT finds a field that seems to lack early speed and that should place him in prime position to pick up a win. (9) LEGION OF BOOM put up a nice mile last time and should be heading to the front here. (4) SPONDULICKS N gets class relief and should still offer good value.
Race 2
(7) SPEAR POINT won both of his recent starts when trainer Floyd Pratt called on someone else to drive. This is a big jump in class, but I think he is worth a shot considering the competition. (1) ODE TO GRAY looks like the clear chalk after just missing in this class a week ago. (2) ROLL WITH JEFF comes off a decent effort and should be tighter in his second start after a mini-vacation.
Race 3
(7) VEGAS ROCKS comes with the question mark of not having races in a month, but he shows the speed necessary to take this field to task for a sharp barn. (2) PRETTY BOY HILL hasn’t been involved from outside posts at Yonkers; better spot. (10) BRALEY HANOVER raced well two back with Lasix added but was used too hard last time.
Race 4
(6) JOE’S BID was stuck uncovered last time and stuck with outside posts versus older foes prior to that. He only has 3 wins in 40 career starts, but this does look like a decent spot. (2) BARBADOS has caught some tough foes in recent weeks. He may be the horse to beat tonight. (5) MAJOR AUTHORITY wired a field that was one notch below where the top pick was racing last week at Philly. (9) JK MUSICMAN was a winner when last seen here. (10) CHEESE MELT gets a big class break and deserves consideration despite the outside draw.
Race 5
(2) GRIFFON HANOVER has been sitting on a win lately and now finally draws an inside post to help him get over the top. (3) PRETTY BOY SWAG was placed in an impossible spot last week and actually held his own. He should do well in this class. (5) K-LEES SHAKENBAKE raced evenly last time. Veteran is more than capable of winning.
Race 6
(3) CATCHA LEFTY A hasn’t been able to do anything with outside posts at Yonkers in his last two starts. This looks like a good spot for him to awaken. (1A) CASTLE FLIGHT put in a solid effort versus the razor sharp Bell I No last time. Outside post tonight is the only negative. (7) ENOCH gets tested after a win versus lesser. He does seem fast enough to win with a top effort.
Race 7
(8) GEEZ JOE got back to business here last week winning the Preferred and he seems to have a tactical edge on his main competitor #7. (1A) I’M SOME GRADUATE stretches out on the big track for the first time since joining the Burke barn. I’m expecting to see some early speed and a nice performance. (7) CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A has been spectacular for a barn that can’t seem to lose right now. My only concern is the lack of early speed he has shown.
Race 8
(9) NEW TALENT & (2) OCEAN COLONY both finished second last week behind two of the sharpest horses on the grounds. I’ll give the narrow edge to the former despite the poor post. (1) DRAGON TIME steps up but has the form to compete.
Race 9
(4) IDEAL JIMMY has missed a year of action but did rally very nicely in his second of two qualifiers. This 5-year-old has some back class and the barn has been hot all meet. (2) MESSI N raced well after missing a month of action; could show more. (5) IWILLMAKEYOUSAYWOW has been coming up just short lately; new driver now.
Race 10
(5) MAGNUM MIKE comes off a break as the favorite but that miscue seems more like an anomaly to me. I’m staying on the bandwagon and expecting a better price. (8) OBSCENE BLUE CHIP was part of a fast pace last week and paid the price. Don’t give up on this guy yet. (1) MYSHARONA BLUECHIP has enough early speed to make noise from the inside post.
Race 11
(2) CENTURY CHURCHILL had absolutely no shot last week after getting away slowly once again. He drops in class now and gets a new driver. (5) IM SUPERSONIC A also had no shot last time because of an outside post at Dover. Nine-year-old could be flying off the wings of the gate this time. (6) MARINER SEELSTER returns to The Meadowlands at a level two notches below his last visit.
Race 12
(6) OUTKAST BLUE CHIP didn’t fire in his first start for this barn versus a better group. I’m going to stick around one more week and look for improvement. (1) MINDTRIP comes off a sharp score while one level down in class. (5) BUSHWACKER set a fast pace last time and tired in the same field as the top pick.
Race 13
(8) ALTA SHELBY N was a convincing winner last week and gets another free ride in this class. (3) DUCKIES DYNASTY raced evenly with no shot from an outside post last time. Expect him to be forwardly placed this time. (5) SUNBURST CRUZE has won over a bigger track in the past and despite a 1-17 record at the meet, I respect these connections. (10) DECLAN SEELSTER comes off a win here but drew poorly.
Race 14
(4) PLAY JET RAY has been having trouble getting over the top lately, but finds a rather soft group here. (5) OLDE BROADSIDE has been the victim of some tough trips. Maybe the stretch out to the big track will help. (1) ATOMIC SEELSTER has plenty of early speed and should work out a decent trip. (10) CROSS MY MIND gets another bad post to deal with. If Miller can work out a trip, he’ll have a chance.