Meadowlands: Saturday 3/18 Analysis
Best Bet: MAAJAACKKOBE (3rd)
Spot Play: STRATOCASTER (7th)
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: 151 - 494 / $771.60 (-$216.40)
BEST BETS: 21 - 42 / $81.80 (-$2.80)
Race 1
(2) BETTER MEMORIES raced okay from the back of the pack last Saturday despite facing a loaded field while coming off a multiple-month layoff. I’m expecting more tonight. (1) ROCK N’ ROLL WORLD was a solid second in his qualifier versus a foe who went on to the Levy series. In a field without a clear early speed player, he could potentially control the action. (3) THE ROCK worked out a perfect trip and scored last time for a red-hot barn. (4) MILLENIUM WHEEL steps up off a win but could be dangerous if able to make the front and rate.
Race 2
(1) POISON OAK doesn’t sport the best recent lines, but gets a key trainer change and faces a blank field. (2) UF FAST FEELIN locked wheels with another horse last week, so you can toss that line. He should be competitive in this spot. (4) TIJUANA PARTY will be leaving off the gate and should grab his usual nice share. (10) FRATERNITY also has the early zip to get involved, but post 10 could cause some issues.
Race 3
(7) MAAJAACKKOBE never got involved from the outside posts at Yonkers but scored when he drew well. Now back at The Meadowlands, he should take charge tonight. (5) GRAVE DANCER has posted a string of good efforts; exacta player. (1) TRACTOR GLEN showed up here and raced well last time. He should stick close from the cones.
Race 4
(1) HAMMOCK BAY improved in his second start of the year and should be primed for a peak effort against this camera shy group. (3) WITCHITA is still seeking his first win here in start number 23. If he can’t best this field, he may need a venue change to win. (2) BEACHCHIP HANOVER hasn’t produced as of yet but I’m inclined to give him one more shot. (9) WHITE BLISS hasn’t been here in some time but did gain some confidence at Freehold.
Race 5
(4) SOMESIZESOMESTYLE tackled better and finished with the co-fastest final quarter (27 1/5) of the entire night; Callahan’s choice. (3) ART HISTORY was in deep facing Open foes at Dover. He should be competitive in here. (5) CITY HALL is clearly sharp for a barn that can’t seem to lose lately; hard to toss. (8) MR HASANI N moves back to the big track and wouldn’t be a shock.
Race 6
(6) UNIX HANOVER gets a positive driver change and has the opportunity to get the jump on (8) DATELINE HANOVER this week. The latter has won three straight and looms as the one to beat again. (7) LEGION OF BOOM has hit the board in the majority of his 2017 starts. (9) SILVER BULLET seems fast enough to win if he brings a top effort; longshot chance.
Race 7
(6) STRATOCASTER only drops one class on paper but this is an even bigger drop than it appears. I’d like to see Buter fire this one up and never look back. (5) TWINCREEKS JESSE moves inside tonight and could be an interesting player underneath if Bongiorno leaves off the gate. (7) ALEX BULLVILLE has been finishing third behind some sharp foes lately; pick four worthy. (9) IDEAL ROCKY lured Marohn off a few other logical contenders (including my top pick), but I just don’t see it.
Race 8
(3) MCACE OF ARTS gunned from post 10 and took a shot on the engine last time only to tire in the lane. That was only her second start back from a break and also in this barn; another shot. (6) BLUSH HANOVER double-drops to a winning level but is always at the mercy of the pace scenario. (5) VORST has speed and form for a high percentage outfit. (4) HUG A DRAGONESS makes his second start off the bench and could show more now.
Race 9
(4) SO TAKE THAT won at first asking for new connections and seems to have found a field with enough early speed to set him up again. (1) CHEROKEE RANGER has raced okay since the claim and perhaps the presence of Marohn can get him over the top. (3) MR BIG LOAD has speed and form. He’ll definitely get a piece and could pull off the upset. (8) DAYLYN HORIZON is another that is sharp now; post hurts.
Race 10
(2) LAST DRAGON catches the easiest field he has seen in quite some time and has no excuses tonight. (7) MOONLIGHT RANSOM comes off an improved effort but is as unreliable as they come. (3) BIG CITY JEWEL was Callahan’s choice over the top one, but how do you like this gelding when he hasn’t won in years? (10) JDS BRENT N SHEREE seems capable if he can work out a trip from post 10.
Race 11
(1A) EASTEND EDDIE has been facing some killers in City Hall and Rockeyed Optimist in recent weeks. I have to believe this 9-year-old will wake up tonight. (5) SI SEMALU raced well from off the pace and lured Callahan off a contender in #4. (3) SPECIAL T ROCKS has plenty of class and is certainly capable.
Race 12
(10) MAJOR WAR was off the gate and finished well from a tough spot last time in a race he should have won. Let’s hope new driver Vincent Ginsburg presses on the gas pedal early. (4) BENJAMINBANNEKER N wasn’t going to close from last in his most recent start and deserves another shot. (2) P L IDAHO won in this class two weeks ago and certainly has a big shot to repeat. (1) DAVID’S DREAM continues to move down the condition ladder in search of form; maybe tonight.
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