Meadowlands: Saturday 12/29 Analysis
Best Bet: TACT TATE N (7th)
Spot Play: SOHO WALLSTREET A (8th)
Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 92 - 267 / $519.70 (-$14.30)
BEST BETS: 8 - 22 / $22.80 (-$21.20)
Race 1
(2) SPAGHETTI EDDIE finds a field that seems to lack early speed and this guy should be in prime position at a reasonable price. (10) SPORTY MERCEDES blew away a field at Monticello in his first start after the claim. This is a tough task from post 10, but maybe he’s a new horse now. (9) WINBAK CARL has been sharp at Rosecroft and it seems likely that Gingras will put him in play.
Race 2
(5) LARRY KARR has gone on quite a roll in recent weeks and he gets one more chance to pick up a December victory. (7) ROCK LIGHTS has picked up his game in recent weeks at Yonkers and it is worth noting that he owns a 1:50 4/5 win over the track. (6) MAJOR AUTHORITY has a two-race winning streak of his own and would seem to be in the mix here.
Race 3
(1) COMMONDISCOURTESY gets some needed class relief this week and earns the narrow call. (7) FATHER SARDUCCI has been racing ok from outside posts at Philly lately. This looks like a decent spot for him. (5) LIMELIGHT BEACH has to visit Freehold to finally pick up a win. Can he call on his back class and win here?
Race 4
(2) WISE IMAGE has speed, form and catches a relatively soft field. (6) CHEESE MELT went a long mile from post 10 last Saturday. In his third start back from a break and now starting in a mid-pack spot, he should have a better effort on tap. (1) STENDAHL HANOVER was racing well before the break last time and has proven capable of putting up some big miles.
Race 5
(6) OBSCENE BLUE CHIP picked up a win at a similar level last week as the favorite and looks like the obvious choice to repeat. (4) WHATAORSE should be able to make the front here easily enough and this classy old-timer has some history of winning here. (7) BEACHCHIP HANOVER also won in for this tag when last seen and seems as sharp as any of these horses.
Race 6
(4) BRALEY HANOVER had to battle from post 10 and eventually packed it in through the stretch last time. Moving to a better post this week, I’ll stay with him. (1) VANQUISHED N has a bit of class and owns a 1:49 3/5 win over this surface. (5) TIE YOUR SHOE ED has been consistent and I wouldn’t be shocked if he pulled off the upset.
Race 7
(1) TACT TATE N brushed and came up second best behind one of the better horses currently racing. Dropping in class this week, he should prove very difficult to beat. (5) STARZNHEAVEN also exits the Preferred class. He’s sharper than his last two lines appear. (2) CATCHA LEFTY A tries his luck on the big track with Yonkers closed for the holidays. He should stick close early and get into the exotics.
Race 8
(8) SOHO WALLSTREET A went an even mile at the back of the pack while facing tougher last week. Now in his second start back after missing two months of action, I expect a strong performance. (10) VEGAS ROCKS came to town last week and was sharp for new trainer Andrew Harris. The post isn’t ideal and David Miller opted off for my top pick, but this guy still seems capable. (4) BUSHWACKER will be heading to the front and certainly could steal the race.
Race 9
(3) REDONKULOUS scored by open lengths while down in class last week. It’s not ideal that the winning driver from that night booked off for one of his top accounts, but replacement Merton can get the job done. (7) BRUCE’S MAGIC will be tough to beat if he can ever get away with a reasonable opening half on the engine. (2) AWESOMENESS finds an ideal spot for this condition; very playable.
Race 10
(3) DULL ROAR raced well while up in class last time and seems to have caught a light NW12500 bunch tonight. (7) INCREDIBLE SHARK moves in a couple of spots on the gate and clearly faces an easier group this time. (6) SPEED AGAIN has form and plenty of back class.
Race 11
In a wide-open race, (2) PARKLANE EAGLE gets post and class relief but will likely still offer good value. (3) PHIL YOUR BOOTS dropped to this level last time and just missed. (6) UF ROCKIN DRAGON was a winner when last seen here in this condition. (8) PRETTY BOY SWAG drops down a notch and has early speed; using.
Race 12
(4) ALTA SHELBY N had no excuse for losing last week other than a track that played more towards closers. It is also possible he simply needs a target to win. Either way, he should find a way tonight. (7) VIRGIN GOLD closed ok after chasing somewhat slow fractions last time. Maybe with the start over the track he can show more now. (10) DUCKIES DYNASTY upset the top pick a week ago but now is stuck in post 10. (8) SURFING TIDE has a 1:50 4/5 win on his card over this track.
Race 13
(2) REBEL ROUSER romped in this class last Saturday and is spotted nicely for another picture. (1) ODE TO GRAY chased the winner home for second a week ago. (8) CAPTAIN AMERICA has early speed and should use it to get a piece.
Race 14
(7) DUBIOUS CLAIM improved with Lasix added last time, and along with a class drop this week, 4-year-old seems poised to win. (9) THIS IS MY SONG dug in nicely to beat (3) CHIP WALTHER in a recent qualifier. Is he ready off the bench? The latter came home in 26 4/5 in that same workout, but he still seemed somewhat short. (6) NEXT SUCCESS drops off a break for a high percentage barn. He could win or be last.