Meadowlands: Saturday 2/2 Analysis
Best Bet: TACT TATE N (6th)
Spot Play: ROCK THE NITE (8th)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 141 - 413 / $819.10 (-$7.00)
BEST BETS: 12 - 33 / $39.20 (-$26.80)
Race 1
(3) ACES AND EIGHTS moves into a new barn and seems worth a shot having drawn way inside the main contenders. (9) PIERCEWAVE HANOVER drops for the third straight week and should be very comfortable against this group. (10) TRY TRY AGAIN gets a trainer change to the red-hot Burke barn; must use.
Race 2
(2) K-LEES SHAKENBAKE drops in for a tag and is likely hoping for a claim after the big win last week. I’d expect another strong mile. (4) ITSNOPROBLEMMAN was done in by the outside post versus a field that was all-around better than this one; big chance here. (3) SPAGHETTI EDDIE is on quite a roll but takes a substantial step up in class.
Race 3
(3) CC BIG BOY SAM has dealt with some bad trips and that has been against better horses than he faces tonight. Barn woke up with two wins last week and this seems like a prime spot for this veteran claimer. (7) POP POP JOE rolled down the road in his first start for this barn and might just be able to keep rolling. (6) SHOW ME UP is up in class but has the speed to make the top and last for a good exotic showing.
Race 4
(1) QUALITY BUD comes off a poor effort but I’m not going to hold it against him since he had no chance of getting a good check in that race. He moves to a good post to utilize his early speed and drops in class. I expect a sharp performance. (4) VALRHONA was short coming off the bench. He could show more now, especially with Gingras in the bike. (2) UF ROCKIN DRAGON took a shot from an outside post last week and certainly deserves a look moving to the inside of the gate.
Race 5
(2) LIFE HAPPENED rallied nicely from an impossible spot last week. I was hoping for him to land into a softer field this time, but the fact that most of the contenders drew poorly give me plenty of hope. (7) MR CENSI moves in a few spots on the gate and also drops a notch from NW8500 to NW5000. (8) AVATARTIST ships down from Canada and is now in a new barn. Classy veteran has what it takes to go with this group. (9) THIS IS MY SONG comes off a win for Burke/Gingras and should be considered if he offers some value.
Race 6
(9) TACT TATE N isn’t one of my favorite horses, but he has finally reached a level where he should succeed regardless of trip. (2) WINDSONG JACK has speed and class. He will make his presence felt. (1) BRAVO TEX N qualified in a quick time at Monticello versus a capable horse In Durant. This guy might be worth a look in the post parade.
Race 7
(1) WHITTAKER N has been in the wrong spot at the wrong time in his recent starts. Look for Carlson to take matters into his own hands with an aggressive steer this week. (3) BUSHWACKER didn’t appreciate the switch in tactics last time; expect speed. (6) JOHNNY DISCO A hasn’t done much in two starts since coming in from Australia with a spectacular 17 wins in 60 starts. He might be worth a look moving to the big track. (4) SOHO WALLSTREET A is certainly capable of getting the job done given a decent trip. (9) DURANT has big early speed and is capable of ripping off a huge mile.
Race 8
(2) ROCK THE NITE drops out of the Preferred and into the condition where he won three starts back. This is a tough field but he deserves the nod. (4) BELL I NO had some issues with footing perhaps on the off track last time and still regained composure to race well. He was bought at the sale by the same barn for $50,000, so at least you know they like him. (8) IDEAL JIMMY has stepped up the ladder nicely and certainly can win. (7) ROUGH ODDS faces much tougher but might just have enough form to get it done.
Race 9
(6) EVER AGAIN raced evenly after six months on the sidelines and now gets some class relief. (8) DASH OF DANGER is back at The Meadowlands at a reduced level and seems likely to get overlooked on the toteboard. (9) SMILEANDSAYCHEESE is plenty sharp and only needs a good pace to set up his late kick.
Race 10
(3) GINGER TREE MARTY gets a trainer switch to Ron Burke and could produce immediate dividends. (1) MORE DRAGON drops down this week and I wouldn’t ignore him. (6) ALL ARTIST raced evenly versus a better group last time. He could pull off an upset here.
Race 11
(3) B WELL was stuck with outside posts at Monticello in his first two starts for this barn. In a very dull field, he can step up for this high percentage stable. (6) NOBLES FINESSE gets a driver change to Gingras. (1) GIACODELIGHT drops down and might awaken.
Race 12
It may be worth going against (2) LARRYKARR in this race since he’ll be a huge underlay against a solid field. (3) MONTY’S PLAY has won four of five starts and moves into a good post. He has proven fast enough to beat #2. (1) SURFING TIDE came up a bit short coming off a Scratched-Injured line. He’s another who has displayed the 1:50 speed needed to win. (8) LARRYS PETROCK comes down from Canada and looks playable if new trainer Bongiorno can pick up his game.
Race 13
(5) SUNSET DREAMER sees his claiming price cut once again and really wasn’t bad in his last race when coming home in 27 seconds. He’s a legitimate upset player. (9) FOUR STACES is stuck with an outside post once again but his form is stellar. (7) RATHER SWELL won when last seen at the $10,000 claiming level, but that was against a weaker group. (3) ROCKAHOLIC comes off a good mile behind a runaway winner for this claiming tag.