Meadowlands: Saturday 2/11 Analysis
Best Bet: TIMCAT HANOVER (10th)
Spot Play: ROLL WITH FRED (2nd)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Race 7 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 115 - 375 / $601.60 (-$148.40)
BEST BETS: 16 - 31 / $67.00 (+$5.00)
Race 1
(5) LEGION OF BOOM has won three of his last four starts and should be sitting no worse than the pocket again in what could be a bit of a lineup number with (6) DURANT, who couldn’t get the top last time from post 10 in a field loaded with early speed. Expect him to be on the engine this week. (7) AMERICAN ROCK didn’t miss a beat in his first start for the new barn and continues to string together wins.
Race 2
(1) ROLL WITH FRED was a very sharp qualifier after three months on the bench and looks ready to roll versus a nondescript field. (4) CENTURY CHRUCHILL has performed reasonably well in this class and should be put in play early. (7) WESTERN TYRANT was racing well when last seen in October at Pocono and qualified well, though he was no match for the top choice.
Race 3
(2) MISSILE J has been tremendous since moving into the Di Domenico barn. Driver Jonathan Roberts will likely have to change tactics in this short field and go with an early brush, but I see this guy as clearly best. (5) PARNU HANOVER & (3) SOMESIZESOMESTYLE finished a neck apart last Saturday. In a field lacking a clear early speed player, either seems capable of taking charge.
Race 4
(2) DR C’S Z TAM has been in bad spots leaving him no shot to compete in the stretch. From the inside post, I’m hoping Marcus Miller will be a bit more aggressive. (1) MAJOR BUBBLES N drew post one and has the early speed to automatically make himself a major player in a field without a standout speedster. (5) N J LAW was Brett Miller’s choice over a couple of other contenders; intriguing.
Race 5
(5) PEDRO’S DREAM was a bit better last week in his second start after a short vacation. He finds a great spot to leave hard and take this field a long way. (4) SHOW ME UP has been closing pretty well and looms the main danger with any reasonable trip. (3) NURSERY ED was used very hard upon arrival at The Meadowlands. That effort should have him tight if he can step up his game. (6) WICKED BUSINESS stretches out to the big track; using underneath.
Race 6
(7) JACKSRLUCKYTOO absolutely powered past the field last week in a very impressive display of late speed. He steps up tonight versus some hard-knocking players but can repeat at a fair price. (2) ONTARIO SUCCESS drops down, draws well and gets Gingras back in the bike; likely favorite. (1) ELRAMA N gave his all on the engine last week and missed by a neck. He can win this race and stay in the same class next time. (5) MATTAMERICAN was just a half-length behind my top choice last time, but that margin is deceptive to some extent.
Race 7
(10) GRAVELSINMYTRAVEL has dominated this mini-series thus far and simply seems a few steps faster than this field. Post 10 isn’t ideal but should move his price from 3-5 to perhaps even money. (5) TAURANGA flashed good early speed and got a nice check last time. If he can put together a similar effort, closing out a decent exacta is possible. (1) GIDDY UP DELIGHT is also looking for a sweep in this series. He’ll likely need to pick up his game a few lengths to win tonight. (2) ROCK STAR & (3) BETTORSLUCKYSTREAK are both threats with a clean trip.
Race 8
I’m going with the class droppers here. (5) RUFO doesn’t seem to have a ton of form, but he has been coming home in 26 and change each of the last two weeks versus better. Expect him to be on the engine tonight. (6) PANSFORMATIVE faded after being used hard early; needs less taxing trip. (9) QUALITY CLOSER finished ahead of the top choice last week and is almost certain to offer a better price, but he lacks the tactical speed and post advantage. (2) GRIFFON HANOVER did reasonably well in his first start since June; can show more.
Race 9
(2) OHOKA TEXAS N finished fast last time and actually has some form. The class drop tonight should make a big difference. (4) ALEX BULLVILLE is feeling very good right now and should be included on all tickets. (1) ROCK ON THE HILL joins the top choice as one moving down the condition ladder; worth considering for all spots. (5) MISTER LIVAN N made an interesting move in his qualifier only to completely pack it in late. He may have some ability but seems likely to need more time to acclimate to North America.
Race 10
(6) TIMCAT HANOVER ran into a potential killer in Highalator last week. With that foe not signed on, this Tom Fanning trainee looks like safe investing as the heavy chalk. (4) WITCHITA finished just behind the top choice last week and should have the best chance of upsetting him tonight. (9) DJNORTHERNSTAR picks up Gingras. Perhaps he can fire this guy up. (2) PINKRIBBON WARRIOR makes his first start since July and probably needs a race.
Race 11
(8) NATIONAL SEELSTER was in some tougher spots when last seen here. The post isn’t ideal, but the price should be right to roll the dice. (1) BARIMAH A is clearly in fine form. Can he get over the top finally? (4) PERSEVERANT was simply awesome last Saturday. If he repeats that performance for new trainer Michael Russo, he’ll be right there at the wire with the top pair. (5) JOE LARRY N CURLY is rounding into form.
Race 12
In what looks like a wide open group, I’ll take a shot with money-burner (9) THAT’S NOT OPINION. He was a bit better last week and now that trainer Nick Surick has had him for a few starts, it is time to show more. (3) ILIKETHEMTRASHY has consistently raced well at this level and could have a clear tactical advantage as one of a few horses in the race with obvious early speed. (5) MOONLIGHT RANSOM was a bit better last time; Another move forward? (2) RESTLESS is another with early zip that could hit the number.
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