Meadowlands: Saturday 2/25 Analysis
Best Bet: THE ROCK (8th)
Spot Play: MR BIG LOAD (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: 0 - 0 / $0.00
Race 1
(4) MISTER LIVAN N has obviously needed a bit more time to acclimate after his first journey ended at the three-quarters. Import showed more talent than that down under and should right the ship tonight. (3) MISTER TRUTH gets the benefit of extra class relief thanks to the 'Dash' rules and is a formidable rival here. (2) PRINCE PALANI is another that should feel right at home from this spot.
Race 2
(2) BEACHCHIP HANOVER makes his career debut for Burke off a qualifier that hinted at talent. Few from this stable don't come out ready and this field is soft enough for a soph with talent to exploit. (4) IMINURBLINDSPOT has looked sharp in both starts since making his 3-year-old debut. Well-bred son of Bettor's Delight looks to have a future but may maintain his off-the-pace status for now. (3) WICHITA has been getting closer but is still in search of a win in start number 21.
Race 3
(6) EVER AGAIN appeared to find himself in a big way towards the end of his sophomore campaign. Noel Daley-trained gelding returns off a stunning qualifier and won't be too far away in this short field come the homestretch. (7) B FAST EDDIE may have gotten his driver a little too excited from the pocket last week costing at best a second place finish. (3) GRAVE DANCER is in close stalking position and can grind out a share.
Race 4
(3) ALWAYS N THE MONEY paced a wicked opening quarter from the outside in his last at Yonkers and didn't live to tell about it. Veteran returns to the big track at a reduced level and finds an ideal spot. (5) OHOKA TEXAS N has been slowly coming to form and may find his field weak enough to contend late. (4) BIG CITY JEWEL had no shot coming from well back in his local debut; moves inside and may be ready to break a long losing streak.
Race 5
(2) IDEAL ROCKY is still a long way from getting back to his 2-year-old form but he's looked much tougher in his last few here and appears ready for a big mile. (10) ASHLEYS HUSBAND is beginning to look less and less like the horse that won in 1:49 1/5 a year ago. Nevertheless it's hard to count him out even if he elects to race from off the pace from this spot. (1) SANTANNA STAR has speed and an inside track.
Race 6
(6) PARNU HANOVER is a horse we've been following closely and he's definitely on the rise. Erv Miller-trained gelding was unable to get into the hunt in a brutally fast last half but may take matters into his own hands this time around with a short field and limited early speed. (4) ROCKEYED OPTIMIST didn't show a whole lot in his first start back but has a ton of class and does face weaker. (2) K LEES SHAKENBAKE is a dangerous horse with the absolute perfect trip.
Race 7
(9) JACKSON BRADY has missed a few weeks but returns in a handicap situation that appears to favor him. Veteran has been razor sharp in each start this year and has the speed and courage to overcome. (6) CASHENDASH HANOVER has hit the board in all five starts this year and figures to give our choice a run for the money. (7) LUCKY MAN is another that has found the board in all of his starts this year and is still a solid threat at age 12.
Race 8
(5) THE ROCK hasn't found the winner's circle yet since joining the Buter stable but seems primed for tonight. Son of Sportswriter had no chance in his local debut watching from the back in a sub-1:50 mile. He faces somewhat softer tonight and should be ready. (3) MUSSELSFRMBRUSSELS has regained winning form up North and arrives ready at a claiming tag that makes him stand out somewhat with these. (2) WAR N MUNN is a horse with plenty of speed but not always the most staying power.
Race 9
(7) UNIX HANOVER returns to a claiming tag after some luckless journeys. Though winless in 2017 he appears sharp enough to handle the drop. (8) LEGION OF BOOM has been rock solid this year with four wins to date and seems the horse to beat in this handicap. (2) WILD AGAIN ships over from Yonkers and takes a meaningful drop in class.
Race 10
(3) LETS FOAL AROUND just may be the best option in a field devoid of much recent form. Veteran has shown speed on the big track at times and certainly can't be faulted for his finish from post eight at Freehold in last. (1) MAJOR WAR makes his second start back off a layoff and draws inside; seems the chief threat here. (2) GIANT SLAYER is placed for a share.
Race 11
(2) ONTARIO SUCCESS managed to take plenty of air last time and still hold on to the place spot in a courageous effort. With a short field limited in significant early speed he could take these down the road with little resistance. (1) BETTOR ROCK ON N returns to the big track after winning two of his last three. Import most definitely has talent and is the chief threat. (6) JACKSRLUCKYTOO has shown incredible sprinting ability but may not be able to go by this type in the stretch.
Race 12
(4) MR BIG LOAD has shown the speed and staying power and may be able to control the action here. (9) NURSERY ED has come up a drop short in his last two for the ever-fit Harmon stable. Post could be an issue but this field is lacking. (1) PLAYEROSA finds a good spot to contend from.
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