Meadowlands: Saturday 2/1 Analysis

MEET STATS: 106-23-20-18 / $117.40 (-$94.60)
BEST BETS: 8-4-1-0 / $16.20 (+$.20)
BEST BET: JACK’S SHADOW N (6th)
SPOT PLAY: FRANCO TRISTAN N (9th)
Race 1 – Trackmaster Rating 82.5 or less - **$25K GTD Pick 5**
(8) QUALITY CLOSER was just even after a seven-week break in action. Veteran is a great fit at this level and the combination of Dane/Monti hooked up for a win last weekend. (3) I’M AN ATHLETE has been racing well but can’t seem to find a race with enough early pace to set him up. (4) KARPATHIAN KID has early speed and enters a new barn; using underneath.
Race 2 – Non-winners 2/3 races or $20,000/$30,000 life
(1) DEVIL OR ANGEL has looked good in qualifying action and doesn’t catch any killers here. As long as he isn’t edging close to the ‘odds-on zone,’ I’ll side with him. (5) FARMERS ONLY closed well from an impossible spot last time. There is some ability here. (3) GOLD STAR YODER was flat after a bunch of time on the sidelines. He could show more now. (9) SO MUCH BETTOR has the early speed to overcome the bad post, but he lacks the desire to win as evidenced by his 27-2-7-4 career record.
Race 3 – Non-winners $5,000 in last 5
(1) EVER AGAIN didn’t miss by much the last two weeks and now gets clear class relief. Seven-year-old deserves major respect at this level. (6) ALOTBETTOR N also exits a tougher spot and keeps Dunn over my top pick. (3) ALTA LEROY N has been inching down in time with each start lately and he might be ready for more in his second start off the bench.
Race 4 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5
(8) AMERICANPRIMETIME closed well finishing just two lengths behind Harambe Deo in a tougher condition last Saturday. Classy Rick Dane trainee could be firing off the gate in this spot. (2) EFFRONTE A was spectacular when we last saw him on January 11. He’s clearly the horse to beat here but I fear we may see a very patient drive coming off the scratched-sick line and a three-week absence. (4) LIKE CLOCKWORK finished second behind a classy foe last time and despite seemingly moving up the condition ladder, he fits here.
Race 5 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(3) DASH OF DANGER rarely visits the basement condition at The Meadowlands and the presence of Steve Smith should ensure we get a decent price. Hopefully he’ll handle this guy aggressively. (9) SAMS TRIPLE CROWN is a must-use on your Pick 5 tickets. When he drops to the lower levels at The Meadowlands he typically has plenty of success. (7) J M JET SET comes over from Ohio and moves into a new barn. I might want to see one before I jump on board for the win end. (2) MAKE IT BIG picks up Gingras. Will that make the difference?
Race 6 – Non-winners 6/7 races or $80,000/$90,000 life
(6) JACK’S SHADOW N raced well to finish sixth last week after starting from post 10 and showing no early zip. He gets away from Dudies Lor and I’m expecting Berry to let him loose off the gate. (5) WESTERN EXPOSURE has been racing consistently well and should be involved in the outcome. (3) A MAJOR OMEN has put in some nice miles over the last two months and a win is certainly within reach. (10) STENDAHL HANOVER improved in his second start back from vacation and there is some talent there.
Race 7 – Preferred
I have mixed feelings here because five or six horses could step up in this field but I’m still picking the favorite in (8) PAPPY GO GO. He’s simply too sharp right now to go against . . . though I’d pass on him at anything under 7-5. (10) JL CRUZE has won two straight and we all know the class behind this 9-year-old son of Crazed. (9) NOWS THE MOMENT won when last seen here and we know he has the early speed to make the front from the outside post. (5) MORAIRTIME is in good form but will likely need a smooth trip to have a shot here. (5) MY LINDY WINNER laid an egg last time. He’s better than that. (7) MUSCLE DIAMOND wasn’t bad last time and he’s capable of a big mile.
Race 8 - $20,000/$25,000/$30,000 Claiming Handicap - $50K GTD Pick 4
(3) SHADY’S SHARK BAIT has two recent starts from inside posts and both resulted in good showings. Four-year-old seems like a good fit versus this field. (2) FOREVERNALWAYS has been taking plenty of air and fighting gamely; good trip would help. (4) ONE LUCKY DRAGON drops in for a claiming tag and might be live. (7) BORN OF FIRE is another dropping for a claiming price. One of these days he’ll wake up.
Race 9 – Non-winners $7,500 in last 5
(4) FRANCO TRISTAN N was a solid fourth against some stiff competition in his first start on these shores. Obviously he should be tighter now and driver Greg Merton will hang around all card waiting to drive. I’m expecting a strong performance. (8) STATEMENT MADE A finished just ahead of the top pick last time and he is clearly good enough to make some noise in here. (3) DECOY and (1) REVELRY probably need a perfect trip to win but it is within the realm of possibility.
Race 10 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5
(1) NEW TALENT was second by a neck at this level a few starts back. This barn has been having trouble winning but this is a good spot. (2) INDEPENDENT ONE picked up a win here in this class two starts back. (3) SEEING EYE SINGLE raced well from a tough spot last time. While he is seemingly up in class, he fits. (5) DECISION DAY is probably better in a lower class but not an impossibility versus this group.
Race 11 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5
(9) JK WILDFIRE caught a very difficult field last time and has been in some fast races week after week. Marcus Miller chose this guy over a couple of others and there is a reason – this is a great spot. (5) TACT TATE N should be tighter in his second start back from vacation, but he has proven unreliable at times. (1) SOHO CHELSEA A moves to the inside of the gate and will have a chance to be more involved now. (7) AMERICANFIREWATER wasn’t bad last time after missing more than a month; more now?
Race 12 – Preferred
(5) ITALIAN DELIGHT N has been super in two stateside starts and the fact that Dunn jumps ship here might mean a decent price. (7) ENDEAVOR has shown his class on many occasions and was second in this condition last time. (8) FRANCO TOTEM N was sharp winning the Preferred last time and deserves to be the favorite, but he is no lock.
Race 13 – Trackmaster Rating 79.5 or less
(1) IDEAL SON is a capable horse given the right trip and ‘Irish’ Joe may just fire out against this soft crew. (5) OHIO LARRY finds himself in a better spot this week and is another that may get more aggressive. (10) RAZOR’S EDGE has a long road ahead from post 10, but he has been racing well lately. (2) SUNSET OVER MIAMI has been racing consistently and should be in the exotics somewhere.