Meadowlands: Saturday 2/18 Analysis
Best Bet: PRINCE PALANI (10th)
Spot Play: IDEAL ROCKY (12th)
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: 121 - 398 / $623.00 (-$173.00)
BEST BETS: 18 - 33 / $73.00 (+$7.00)
Race 1
(1) CASHENDASH HANOVER ships in sharp from Dover and actually drops in claiming price. I’m expecting another strong effort. (6) LUCKY MAN has yet to finish worse than second this year and should be cutting the fractions once again this week. (3) MAJOR BUBBLES N has been fairly consistent when he draws on the inside of the gate.
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Race 2
(4) MISTER TRUTH drops down and adds Gingras to the team. With some dull foes to his inside, there are no excuses for failure tonight. (7) ALEX BULLVILLE comes into this off a string of strong miles. Can he keep his form for new connections? (6) EVEIL DUN CHAMPION was facing better when last seen here a couple of weeks back. (5) PEDRO’S DREAM has the early speed to make some noise and stick around for a good check.
Race 3
(6) NURSERY ED had a slightly better trip and improved in his second start over the track. Continued development should put him right there at the wire tonight. (1) BRUCE’S MAGIC gets a class break and has to be considered on your pick four tickets. (2) VICTORYDAZE WILWIN is far from consistent, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he showed early speed tonight and got into the exotics.
Race 4
(7) B FAST EDDIE is one of three horses in here that were assigned outside posts under the AE condition. Four-year-old has already picked up a couple of wins versus this class and should be tough once again. (6) GRIFFON HANOVER switches from conditioned races versus older to this race against his peers. (8) CENTURY CHURCHILL merits consideration but won’t be helped having drawn the worst of the three top horses.
Race 5
(1) LAST DRAGON has been in much more difficult spots in recent weeks. With the class relief tonight and addition of Brett Miller, 10-year-old can get sharp in a hurry. (7) SO TAKE THAT drops in claiming price for the second straight week. He would have been my top pick from an inside post, but as a confirmed closer he is at the mercy of the pace of the race. (3) SIR SAM’S Z TAM has the ability to flash early speed and those tactics could take him a long way in a field without much zip at the start. (5) DRUNKEN TERROR comes off a good effort and does add Gingras.
Race 6
(4) NEXT SUCCESS made a sharp move in a fast mile last time and couldn’t fend off two foes with better trips. Let’s stick with this guy and hope for anything but a first-over journey. (8) AMERICAN ROCK had everything go his way and rallied nicely for the win. Now in a new barn, he goes for the hat trick tonight. (7) LEGION OF BOOM is certainly sharp but likes to leave and finds himself to the outside of a fellow speedy competitor. (2) PERSEVERANT is back in for a claiming tag and is capable of rebounding with a good effort.
Race 7
(3) ALBERTO CONTADOR N came up with a huge mile while displaying speed at both ends last Saturday. The fact that Miller chose this guy over #2 & #9 speaks volumes. (1) SOMESIZESOMESTYLE is certainly sharp enough to win given a decent trip and he comes with a decent pari-mutuel partner. (5) ALEXIE MATTOSIE should offer good value for a classy millionaire who just missed at this level two starts back.
Race 8
(6) JACKSRLUCKYTOO couldn’t close from the back last time on a night where 10 of the 12 winners were at least second at the three quarter marker. Assuming the track is playing fair, he remains sharp enough to circle the field in the lane. (10) CAVIART SKYLER arrives from Dover for Burke/Gingras and figures to be gunning off the gate. (1) HUSTLING CHARLEY chased a good horse in his last qualifier and finally gets the chance to start on the big track pari-mutuelly; wake-up candidate. (7) QUALITY CLOSER comes off a nice performance and now faces better.
Race 9
(4) ELRAMA N gets the class relief he has needed for over a month now. He should take care of business in this spot. (10) NATIONAL SEELSTER comes off an improved performance and should be flying off the wings of the gate again. (1) PANSFORMATIVE has been a bit off his game lately, but the inside post sets him up to return to form with a decent trip. (5) UNIX HANOVER raced well in this class two starts back.
Race 10
(5) PRINCE PALANI comes off an improved effort and finds a great spot tonight; down the road. (4) TWINCREEKS JESSE looks as fast currently as any of tonight’s foes and should be involved if the trip is decent. (2) YANKEE HEAVEN has some early speed and should be using it in this spot.
Race 11
(3) IMINURBLINDSPOT finished with good energy from the back of the pack in his first start of the year and second of his career. Any small step forward should see him victorious. (5) ROCKS IT AGAIN scored in his career debut at Monticello Wednesday. Let’s see what he can do on the big track. (2) WITCHITA has yet to pick up a win but should get another check. (6) DÉTENTE picks up Miller this week and seems likely to take plenty of tote action.
Race 12
(6) IDEAL ROCKY took plenty of air and kept coming last weekend. Despite being winless for a couple of years, he should prove tough in this spot. (1) ASHLEY’S HUSBAND & (5) OUR JERRY LEE N are both dropping in class and either is capable of bringing a solid mile. (8) INTHEBLINKOFANEYE has plenty of early speed and could potentially get brave.
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