Meadowlands: Saturday 2/9 Analysis
Best Bet: ITSNOPROBLEMMAN (1st)
Spot Play: MORE DRAGON (6th)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 147 - 439 / $848.50 (-$29.50)
BEST BETS: 13 - 35 / $42.60 (-$27.40)
Race 1
(4) ITSNOPROBLEMMAN gets away from the scratched K-Lees Shakenbake and should be able to take charge in this abbreviated field. (3) SPAGHETTI EDDIE has early speed and form; main threat. (2) BAY RUM should stick close to the pace and have an upset chance if he brings his A game.
Race 2
(5) TUXEDO BAY finds a short field without a ton of early speed and should be in a prime spot to win turning for home. (2) ODDS ON LAUDERDALE made a nice move to the front and held for the win last time. He’s in career form right now. (1) NEW TALENT is the other likely early speed player in the race. He just missed in this class last time versus Geez Joe.
Race 3
(2) SO MUCH BETTOR didn’t show any signs of breaking in his last qualifier, though he was never asked late in the mile. With a couple of tune-ups under new trainer Brett Pelling, maybe this guy can find himself. (8) DECLAN SEELSTER rallied nicely from an impossible spot last time, but that was four weeks ago; mixed feelings. (6) THE COLONEL comes down from Canada in fine form and is worth at least a look. (9) FORDHAM SIXTY TWO rallied nicely in his most recent qualifier but broke in his prior attempt. Considering this is a Burke/Gingras horse, the price might not be worth his chances.
Race 4
(3) ARCHANGEL THREE was quite sharp in his return qualifier. While this field is far from easy, I’m willing to ride the Ron Burke train with this one. (6) MCTHRILLER raced well last week but may get overbet since some will interpret his performance as being blocked in the stretch. Either way, he’s a serious threat here. (1) STONEDUST proved this is a good level for him last week; could upset. (4) SOHO WALLSTREET A was just even in his first start for this barn; could show more.
Race 5
(2) SPORTS VISION has been racing from off the pace in his last two starts behind some pretty pedestrian fractions. If he can finally get a decent pace up front, the chances of an upset are there. (4) OHIO LARRY tackled a better group last time. He back down in claiming price here. (5) CC BIG BOY SAM comes off a good effort and only needs a smooth trip to menace. (3) POP POP JOE has dangerous early speed.
Race 6
(3) MORE DRAGON has been making middle moves in his recent races but coming up well short in the stretch. Ricky Bucci trainee takes another class drop and should find his way back to the winner’s circle. (4) PAPRIKE BLUE CHIP comes out of a tough race. He should be a good fit with this bunch. (7) ALL IT TAKES comes back from a few months on the sidelines. If ready to rock, he can definitely beat these.
Race 7
(1) ART DANCER raced well from post 10 last week. He gets a big shift in starting position now and should have every chance in what looks like a competitive group. (3) REBEL ROUSER finally tasted defeat versus the sharp Larry Karr last time. He should be the favorite in this spot. (4) ARCH HANOVER finished just ahead of #3 last time at a huge price. He proved he can go with this field. (5) SHARP ACTION MONEY blew up in the stretch in his first try for these connections. I guess he deserves another shot switching from the half to the mile track.
Race 8
(5) AVATAR J put in a good effort last time at Yonkers and now returns to the Big M versus a softer group than he faced two starts back. (2) IN A SINGLE BOUND is another getting class relief. He is better than he has looked in recent weeks. (6) WINDSONG JACK moves up off a win, but he has the class to handle the jump.
Race 9
(6) TACT TATE N found a new way to lose last week when he got trapped in the pocket. He returns at the same level and deserves another chance. (3) BRAVO TEX N raced evenly in his first start on these shores. There is every reason to believe this guy can show more with that start under his belt. (1) GINGER TREE MARTY scored at first asking for the Burke barn. (5) BIG STRETCH MARK put in a huge mile last week and is clearly sharp enough to get a big piece here.
Race 10
Here is a formless group without much in the way of angles for handicappers. If you are playing the Pick 4, this is clearly a good spread leg. (2) GIACODELIGHT was just even dropping to this level last time. Perhaps the driver change to McCarthy will wake him up. (3) WHITE BLISS should be placed on the front here, but he could be the favorite and that’s tough to take on a horse that is 4 for 67 lifetime. (5) ALL ABOUT RUSTY threw in a clunker last time but was solid in his prior starts.
Race 11
This is another race where it is hard to get excited about any of the competitors. With that in mind, I’ll try likely longshot (3) IMAGINEUWITHOUTME. He comes off a sharp qualifier at Miami Valley and is clearly fast enough to win. (2) IDEAL TYSON A moves into the Bongiorno barn and could certainly wake up with a big mile. (9) DEPENDLEBURY A hasn’t done much as of yet on these shores but I’m still holding out hope.
Race 12
(2) ROUGH ODDS faced traffic a couple of times in the stretch last week and closed in nicely when able. Chris Ryder trainee has climbed the ladder and looks more than capable of winning here. (4) BELL I NO should be heading to the front as the likely post-time favorite. (3) ALL WEEK comes off a win versus a decent group and might just be sharp enough to play with these.
Race 13
(3) JACKSRLUCKYTOO has been too good at this level to give up on after one third-place finish. This isn’t an easy field but as long as we get at least a $6.00 price, I’d want him on my tickets. (6) DASH OF DANGER raced well last time and now gets another class drop. Best part is that he’ll offer value. (7) BRUCE’S MAGIC has dangerous early speed if Callahan elects to gun off the gate. (4) HOO NIEN A rallied well last time.