Meadowlands: Saturday 2/15 Analysis

MEET STATS: 158-32-33-30 / $19580 (-$120.20)
BEST BETS: 12-5-1-0 / $22.00 (-$2.00)
BEST BET: HAYDEN HANOVER (12th)
SPOT PLAY: DEALER’S TABLE (1st)

Race 1 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5 - **$25K GTD Pick 5**

(2) DEALER’S TABLE is the fastest horse in the field, though he doesn’t always behave on the track. Now in his second start back from vacation, I’m expecting he’ll be forwardly placed. Hopefully he’s matured. (1) DA DELIGHTFUL qualified nicely behind some salty foes. Considering his early speed, he can sit close and have a chance. (4) TALBOTCREEKWHISKEY took some air last time versus a tough group.

Race 2 – Leap Year Leg 2 – NW10500

(3) JESSE DUKE N uncorked a powerful late turn of speed to win his U.S. debut and rumor has it expectations are high for this Down Under import. (6) TRUMP THAT was a solid second behind the top pick last time and he could have an easy path to the top here. (1) AMERICANFIREWATER finished well to pick up a victory last time but faces better now; underneath only. (7) FATHER SARDUCCI drops down and is eligible to show more.

Race 3 – Non-winners 4/5 races or $50,000/$60,000 life

(4) WESTERN EXPOSURE has a bit of seconditis lately, but this is clearly the softest field he has faced in some time. (5) JK CAPTAIN JACK shook free a step too late last time; trip threat. (2) GOOD ROCKIN is just another sharp horse from a barn that seemingly sends everything out live. (1) EHRMANTRAIT came back from a layoff and scored, but this is a big step up in company.

Race 4 – Non-winners $22,500 in last 5 – Pick 6

(6) EDDARD HANOVER tends to be hit or miss, but this is a good spot and I’ll take my chances. (2) MCTHRILLER drops out of the Preferred and he might have the opportunity to take charge. (5) AMERICANPRIMETIME rolled down the road versus cheaper a week ago; dangerous.

Race 5 – Leap Year Leg 2 – NW8000

(2) ROCK LIGHTS drops out of the higher class Leap Year series for this spot. He’ll need a big effort to make the final and I’m expecting to see it. (3) NEW TALENT wired the field to win the opening round of the Leap Year and certainly could repeat. (6) BRALEY HANOVER is another dropping out of the NW10500 Leap Year who will need a big mile to qualify for next week; using. (1) JK WILDFIRE should save ground and get a piece.

Race 6 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5 - $50K GTD Pick 4

(5) ALLUNEEDISFAITH N found his form down in Florida and we’ve already seen he is fast enough to play with this group. Versatile sort can win from on or off the pace and seems worth a shot in the 3-1 range. (3) BELL I NO is a battler who hasn’t thrown in a bad race in some time. (6) EFFRONTE A will certainly be the favorite here, but do you want a short price on a horse that still only has one win this year?

Race 7 – Non-winners $5,000 in last 5

(4) MACHIAVELLI gets some serious class relief here and should be blasting off the wings of the gate. (1) REVELRY dropped to this class last week but was stuck in post 9. Post 1 doesn’t win at a much higher rate but at least it gives new driver Tim Tetrick a fighting chance to stay close. (5) CAPTAIN MULZAC has a few starts back after the layoff and switches conditions; wake-up chance.

Race 8 – Leap Year Leg 2 – NW10500

(2) OCEAN COLONY qualified back nicely and he has to show up with a big effort to make the final next week. This barn is more than capable of having him ready despite missing nearly two months. (5) STATEMENT MADE A showed improvement two starts back and had to pick up some confidence getting the victory versus lesser last time; Pick 4 must. (1) JET AIRWAY also comes off a win. He’s a player. (9) LARRY KARR returns here at a reduced level and seems likely to fire off the gate. (4) PARTY BOY only needs a decent trip to win here; Tetrick drives now.

Race 9 – Leap Year Leg 2 – NW8000

(5) ALTA LEROY N wasn’t quite as sharp last week as two starts back. I’m going to give him one more shot at this level. (2) CRUSADES bumps up two classes off a win but may be sharp enough to handle the task, especially since he has early speed in a field that seems to lack that quality. (7) STENDAHL HANOVER took a shot last time and weakened but that could be a sign he is moving in the right direction. (6) SAMS TRIPLE CROWN couldn’t handle post 9 most recently. I wouldn’t be shocked if Callahan sent him to the front here.

Race 10 – Trackmaster Rating 79.5 or less – Pick 4

(3) WESTERN REDHOT was very competitive in this class for his former connections and getting Dunn in the bike is a nice plus. (4) LYONS IMAGE has the early speed to make the top in a hurry versus a field that seems to lack that quality. (2) DUCKIES DYNASTY was used hard last week and tired accordingly. He can better that showing for sure. (1) IDEAL SON has proven capable of sitting and closing well; exotics must at a price.

Race 11 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5

(5) PARKLANE JET broke last time he was at The Meadowlands but that wasn’t with Dunn at the controls. This barn sends out nothing but live horses. (1) LIVE ON has class and the inside post should really help. (7) SAPPHIRE CITY is inching in on $1.5 million earned. Maybe new trainer Andrew Harris can get him going.

Race 12 – Leap Year Leg 2 – NW10500

(4) HAYDEN HANOVER got a nice tightener last week from an impossible post. He catches a softer group this week and I’d expect to see early speed. (1) INCREDIBLE SHARK should push away from the cones and have a shot, but if the top pick shows up, he’s racing for second. (6) STARZNHEAVEN picks up a Hall of Fame driver this week.

Race 13 - $10,000 Claiming

(5) KID PK has won two straight and gets the narrow call in a fairly competitive race. (10) PREPPY ART is also in form and he has the early speed to overcome the bad post. (2) LUCK N ROLL K hasn’t exactly been razor sharp but there just may be enough speed signed on to set him up. (3) I’M SID THE KID gets a major driver change to Dunn.