Meadowlands: Saturday 2/29 Analysis

MEET STATS: 184-38-38-35 / $242.40 (-$125.60)
BEST BETS: 14-6-2-0 / $26.60 (-$1.40)
BEST BET: DRAMATIC POINT (3rd)
SPOT PLAY: STARZNHEAVEN (7th)

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

(4) VERY VERY FAST is every bit as sharp and certainly has a class edge on (1) WARRIOR ONE, who will likely be the favorite. Both are viable candidates for the Pick 5. (10) OBRIGADO finally got back into the winner’s circle last week and was rewarded with post 10. Ouch! He could win but it won’t be easy.

Race 2 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5

(8) SHADY MCCOY doesn’t look very good on paper, but against a similarly soft field the real Slim Shady could show up moving back to the big track. (1) EGOSNATTITUDES should be near the front, which is a good spot to be in a weak field. (3) DIMES MAKE DOLLARS qualified back nicely and picks up Gingras. (9) TAKE A WISH is down in class and certainly has a shot.

Race 3 – Leap Year Leg 2 – Trackmaster 74.5 or less

(6) DRAMATIC POINT returned from a brief break and put in a decent effort from a tough post. That was his first start for new trainer Mark Silva, who excels with these reclamation projects. (2) OUR ART AND HEAVEN has been a bit unlucky lately on the track. He finds a perfect spot now where he should come away on the lead or in the pocket without having to work very hard early; now or never. (1) TEST RIDE just missed last week and he does hail from a good barn.

Race 4 – Preferred – Pick 6

(6) NONE BETTOR A put together two sharp qualifiers which should have him ready for race action. We can all see the 12 wins in 18 starts last year and trainer Andrew Harris has been red-hot in 2020. (3) ENDEAVOR has been racing well in this class every week and now he gets an inside post; very dangerous. (4) TRUMP NATION beat #3 each of his last two starts and is another contender in a short but solid field.

Race 5 – Non-winners $75,00 in last 5

(2) THE DEVILS OWN N qualified very well behind a stakes-level foe with a 26 1/5 final quarter. Down Under import could be ready to go at first asking. (1) CAPTAIN TREVOR has been chasing better foes lately and should be tighter now in his third start back from vacation; must use. (8) FATHER SARDUCCI has also been keeping good company. Seven-year-old was never put in play last time and that could change this week. (7) MITCH MAGUIRE N closed well for second when dropped to this class last time.

Race 6 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5 - **$50K GTD Pick 4**

(5) STONEDUST had no shot last time but raced well in both of his previous starts. Cullipher trainee fits nicely with this bunch and should be put in play. (7) MCTHRILLER drops out of the same condition as the top pick. He had a tough trip last time. (2) PARTY BOY found his groove for Dunn last week and is certainly capable of stepping up versus this better bunch. (1) PALOMAR has been just ok since returning from the brief break; trip player.

Race 7 – Non-winners $7,500 in last 5

(4) STARZNHEAVEN takes a meaningful drop in class this week and really should perk up. (3) JET AIRWAY has won two of three starts including one for this claiming tag. (8) DA MAGICIAN wasn’t bad from post 10 after a month on the sidelines. I wouldn’t be shocked if he raced well tonight and Marcus Miller choose him over #3.

Race 8 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5

(3) MINDTRIP is technically staying in the same class but in reality, this field is clearly softer. There are no excuses this week. (6) TRUMP THAT has been racing very well behind the seemingly unbeatable Jesse Duke lately. (2) IDEAL FEELING rallied nicely from a tough spot in his first start for this barn. I’m expecting improvement, but it might be one more week before he’s let loose. (1) VETTEL N wasn’t far behind The Devils Own N in his most recent qualifier. Check out how that one does in race 5 before deciding on this guy.

Race 9 – Non-winners $23,000 in last 5

(3) ROCKIN RON put in a nice mile with a 26-second kicker last Saturday in his first start since August. There should be value in this capable millionaire. (5) BELL I NO couldn’t be any sharper and he’s certainly fast enough. (8) COVERED BRIDGE came up with a monster mile in his first start for Team Burke, but at the looming odds-on price, I’ll lean elsewhere.

Race 10 – Trackmaster Rating 79.5 or less – Pick 4

(3) TERROR HALL won in this class two starts back. He has as good a chance as any in this mostly formless group. (1) BAREFOOT BLUEJEANS raced well here last week in this class. (10) JUSTIN CREDIBLE finds a field without much early speed and Gingras might just fire out. (7) THUNDER DOME is probably the sharpest horse in the field.

Race 11 – Non-winners $5,000 in last 5

(7) SANTAFE’S COACH, (4) PASSA-GRILLE BEACH and (1) SOHO CHELSEA A all drop down a notch in class and one of them should really step up in this spot. I’ll lean slightly to #7 as this seems to be the kind of condition where Lachance will get aggressive.

Race 12 – Leap Year Leg 2 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less

(1) MR HEAVEN is on quite a roll right now and I see no reason to expect a reversal. (5) IOWA NEIGHTIVE won in this class last time and is the main threat. (3) ATOMIC REI could be a threat with a smooth trip.

Race 13 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5

(6) ALWAYS AT MY PLACE rolled to an easy qualifying win for Burke last week and I expect him to fire fresh at a decent price. (3) ROUGH ODDS came off the bench last time and raced very well. He’s the one to beat at what could be a short price. (7) BORN OF FIRE should be closing for an exotic slot. (9) LETSCHASETHEDREAMN qualified ok and wouldn’t be a huge surprise here.