Meadowlands: Saturday 2/16 Analysis
Best Bet: SOHO WALLSTREET A (9th)
Spot Play: BRAVO TEX N (6th)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 153 - 465 / $881.90 (-$48.10)
BEST BETS: 14 - 37 / $47.20 (-$26.80)
Race 1
I was impressed with the move (4) DRUNK ON YOUR LOVE made last week considering he hadn’t started since August. Perhaps the time off served him well. (6) SPORTS VISION had no excuse for coming up flat in the lane most recently, but he does face much softer company this time around. (7) BUD BAY gets a driver change to Gingras, who seems to be putting every horse in the perfect spot to win.
Race 2
(7) TUXEDO BAY is in career form and horses like this have to take advantage when they are sharp. (4) NEW TALENT should fire off the gate and may benefit from a pocket trip behind the top pick. (5) FUNKNWAFFLES has the class but I want to see one start on the big track to get him up to speed.
Race 3
In a race with many possibilities, (6) FOX VALLEY HERBIE took a tour of the track in his return from a handful of months on the sidelines and now gets a class drop. He only won once in 2018 but none of these really scare you on paper. (9) PAPRIKE BLUE CHIP is better than what we saw last week. He is going to wake up with a big effort sooner or later. (5) DANCIN HILL can get brave at times in this basement condition. (2) MAJOR WAR comes off a good mile but this field may be better than what he faced last time. (1) WILLIE BOOTS has been ok since dropping down and now he gets post relief.
Race 4
(8) FORDHAM SIXTY TWO was handled conservatively after showing a break when qualifying. I’m going to take a shot that getting the start under his belt will help. (3) SO MUCH BETTOR was my top pick last week, but the scratched-sick line after a pair of qualifiers is concerning; mixed feelings now. (2) AMERICAN VISION returned from a break with a decent mile; more now?
Race 5
(7) HOO NIEN A was strangely bet off the board last week and raced ok but not great. Now that many will be jumping off the bandwagon and the competition gets easier dropping down in class, count me in! (3) JACKSRLUCKYTOO hasn’t been getting great checks lately but is coming home with decent final quarters. Can he find enough class to overpower this group? (2) ALL IT TAKES raced well off the bench last time and is more than fast enough to win. (9) SO TAKE THAT gets some class relief but is stuck in post 9; capable with the right trip.
Race 6
(2) BRAVO TEX N went a big mile to finish third in just his second start on these shores. I’m inclined to follow him as better results are coming soon. (5) STONEDUST continues to drop looking for some form. He has a shot in here but I wish he caught a softer group. (1) EVER AGAIN has been having trouble getting over the top but certainly should be competitive. (7) ROOTIN TOOTIN deserves some consideration considering the way Gingras I driving lately.
Race 7
(9) TRUMP THAT came up with a sharp mile in his return qualifier and since Burke/Gingras seem to be winning most of the races, this guy looks imposing. (7) ART DANCER comes off a game win in this class and certainly seems imposing again. (4) DUCKIES DYNASTY roared home for an impressive win last time. Can we expect him to do it again?
Race 8
(5) MINDTRIP is back in his comfort zone and should bring a big mile. (7) STARZNHEAVEN missed a month of action but qualified back well and loves to win. (8) BELL I NO has big early speed and should hang in for a nice piece. (9) MCTHRILLER is certainly sharp but might be in trouble starting to the outside of Bell I No.
Race 9
(7) SOHO WALLSTREET A has been racing evenly versus some tough foes up in class. Switch to NW8500 this week gets him into the winner’s circle. (5) PRETTY BOY HILL brushed to victory when last seen at this level and deserves consideration here, but the top horse is simply better. (2) SMILEANDSAYCHEESE gets a better post to work with this time.
Race 10
(2) ALOTBETTOR N was in an impossible spot when last seen at The Meadowlands. Now he returns in a slightly lower class and gets a good post to do some damage. (10) ARCHANGEL THREE raced well in defeat coming back from a three-month vacation. The outside post hurts but the ability is there. (1) INCREDIBLE SHARK moves down one level, gets a new driver and should be closer starting from an inside post this week; things to like. (6) CITY HALL has done very good things on this track and sometimes wakes up out of nowhere.
Race 11
(1) JK WILL POWER was an impressive qualifying winner two starts back and just even versus a salty group last time. He lands in one of the weaker NW8500 races I’ve seen and should have every opportunity to win despite the seven-plus month layoff. (8) BRUCE’S MAGIC has to be gunning to the front in this spot and is certainly capable of never looking back. (2) URBAN RENEWAL steps up in form and should be used at least underneath.
Race 12
(5) K-LEES SHAKENBAKE moves into a new barn but shouldn’t miss a beat. (1) SPAGHETTI EDDIE is as sharp as they come and should be close once again. (6) ITSNOPROBLEMMAN might have a more difficult time making the front this week and that could take the sting out of him late.
Race 13
(6) WESTERN DELIGHT N finished better in his second start with Lasix and actually had his share of stretch traffic in that mile. Like a couple of others he takes a step down the condition ladder tonight, but he should offer much better value. (4) TACT TATE N has been a money inferno in the U.S., burning the hard-earned cash of players time and again. He looks best on paper here. Will things go right this time? (3) ASLAN was a sharp second when in this class two starts back. (8) CENTURY CHURCHILL has plenty of early speed and this barn did finally pick up a win recently.