Meadowlands: Saturday 3/2 Analysis
Best Bet: SHAMBALLA (10th)
Spot Play: REDONKULOUS (11th)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 160 - 491 / $929.30 (-$52.70)
BEST BETS: 15 - 39 / $51.40 (-$26.60)
Race 1
(4) REDLINE RUSTY was done in by post 10 last time. Against a very soft group, hopefully we’ll get an aggressive steer. (10) WILLIE BOOTS could also be hustled away and do some damage. Honestly, I have low confidence in any of these horses. (1) ITS JUST TOO MUCH has raced ok since the barn change and at least he can stay close from the inside post.
Race 2
(7) TARAMAKAUREACTOR N arrives from Yonkers after making an early break last time and connections have switched trainers to get him in here. I’m going to roll the dice with him versus a field with no killers. (1) BACKSEAT TERROR has the best PP lines but is still 0 for 25 in her career. (2) DUNDEE HANOVER makes his debut for Burke/Gingras and will certainly be an underlay.
Race 3
(4) BETTORS GLASS went an even mile after two-plus months on the sidelines. Classy veteran can show more in this spot. (5) DUBIOUS CLAIM looks to be stepping up in class, but this race is a rather weak NW8500. There is no reason he can’t show speed and race well again. (2) FRANKANDJOANEE was a winner two starts back in this class.
Race 4
(5) SISKEL drops down and adds Gingras. It’s hard not to like him as the chalk off those angles. (7) T J BLAST didn’t fire from an outside post last week; another shot. (10) LARRYS PETROCK switches conditions but lucked into a bad post. A solid showing is possible.
Race 5
(7) ROOTIN TOOTIN dropped and popped last week. That confidence builder should have him ready to keep rolling. (2) DELIGHTFUL OFFER N raced well uncovered and held nicely in the lane. With a smooth trip a win is possible. (5) INCREDIBLE SHARK drops down for a good barn and figures to mix it up from the get-go. (4) BRUCE’S MAGIC should make the front and last for a nice piece.
Race 6
(3) MCTHRILLER came up short versus much better foes in the Preferred last time. I expect he’ll be put in play tonight. (2) ALOTBETTOR N is sharp enough to win and has no trouble taking some air on the rim. (6) BILLY BADGER N put in a solid qualifier versus two foes who are in the Preferred this week. He could be any kind at this point.
Race 7
(5) CASTLE FLIGHT rolled down the road last week and might still offer good value here with Gingras booking off to his main account with (6) ALWAYS AT MY PLACE, who got a bit of a bad trip in his qualifier. I wouldn’t be shocked if he was ready to fire fresh. (3) RODEO ROCK bested the former in that qualifier and looked good, but he’s likely going to get a conservative steer and would need a clean trip to win. (4) TUXEDO BAY is the X-factor here. Is he tailing off or was his last start just an anomaly?
Race 8
(9) BOOGIE SHUFFLE has some class to him but wasn’t ready to tackle the best horses on the grounds after seven months on the sidelines. While the outside post this week is far from ideal, he is certainly best if ready to roll. (1) THREEOFTHEBEST A picked up his game last week and has proven capable here in the past. He could be ready to get going. (6) LYONS STEEL came up with a career best mile last week. This race might be too tall an order, but on the other hand, maybe this 4-year-old is up to the task.
Race 9
(5) REBEL ROUSER is back at The Meadowlands with Gingras in the bike. The last two times these two hooked up the result was a win. (7) ART DANCER has been racing well of late and only needs a decent trip to menace. (2) WHATSTROUBLNUROCKY wrnt an uninvolved mile from post 9 in his first start over the track. Moving way inside now, don’t be shocked if he makes some noise.
Race 10
(1) SHAMBALLA finished willingly in a good comeback mile versus a much better field last week. As long as he is kept in striking position, this race should be his for the taking. (3) ALL WEEK steps up off a loss, which is usually a bad thing, but he’s very comfortable in this condition and should offer fair value. (9) BUSHWACKER & (10) DULL ROAR are both capable if they can work out a decent trip from an impossible post.
Race 11
(6) REDONKULOUS dropped to a higher class than this and had no shot from post 9 last week. He moves down another notch here and seems to be very playable. (4) BIG STRETCH MARK is one of many stepping down in company and he is proven in this condition. (1) STONEDUST continues to drop and disappoint. He is going to wake up sooner or later.
Race 12
(6) IDEAL SON has found his form in recent weeks and almost won despite a stretch miscue last time. He’s as good as any in here and might even improve off the trainer change. (4) ITSNOPROBLEMMAN beat many of these last time. Can he hold his form for new connections. (5) SPAGHETTI EDDIE has speed and form but seems better used underneath.
Race 13
(6) TALENT SOUP took a nice tour of the track in his first start back from a long break. Five-year-old has some talent to him and he could be ready to wake up with the start under his belt. (5) SHOW ME UP had some traffic trouble and paced home willingly when clear last time. (3) ALL IT TAKES has been racing ok of late. It would only take a small step forward for him to menace. (1) BUPA BRUISER drops down and might be worth a look on the track.