Meadowlands: Saturday 3/25 Analysis
Best Bet: HIGHLATOR (6th)
Spot Play: HILLOSOPHICAL (3rd)
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: 155 - 517 / $794.00 (-$240.00)
BEST BETS: 22 - 44 / $86.60 (-$1.40)
Race 1
(5) SNOW CONE A was used to the front and tired as a bad favorite last week on a track that wasn’t favoring speed. With temperatures expected to warm up this weekend, early speed should hold up well. (3) MOSQUITO BLUE CHIP closed well off the bench last time and merits consideration as long as the price remains in the double-digit range. (4) PERSUASIVE HANOVER is another with early speed. If the four week break doesn’t set her back, she should be a player.
Race 2
(4) ALEX BULLVILLE moves inside a few posts this week and drops down to the $10,000 claiming level. This looks like a much better spot than last week. (5) DAYLYN HORIZON put up a big first quarter and paid the price last time. He should be on the move early again this week and hopefully can make the top a bit easier. (6) SO TAKE THAT has won three of four starts and now switches barns. Closer will need some help and those inside of him don’t seem likely to provide live cover. (9) SHOW ME UP deserves some consideration at a price because of the class drop.
Race 3
(2) HILLOSOPHICAL finished with steady trot in her qualifier, the first time she has been charted since September. The track was playing a bit slower than qualifiers the following week, so don’t be turned off too much by the 1:58 2/5 final time she posted. (1) JIMMY WILLIAM took some time to hit high gear but turned in a nice morning effort in his first start since October. He is clearly the one to beat but is probably not worth what could be 3-5 or lower odds. (5) MAJESTIC SUNSET was on quite a roll before the break last time; can rebound. (4) SOUTHWIND PEARL couldn’t pass Uncle Leroy in her last qualifier, which is concerning.
Race 4
(5) SILVER BULLET was scratched-sick last time but drops right back in, so we’ll ignore the line. He seems to be fast enough to play with this group and should offer some value. (6) DATELINE HANOVER was used hard and tired accordingly last week. The road to the top should be easier tonight. (7) UNIX HANOVER is sharp but can’t seem to get over the top.
Race 5
(3) TWINCREEKS JESSE drops to the basement condition this week and should get aggressive. Horse and trainer are still winless on the meet, but it won’t get easier than this spot. (5) LAST DRAGON was short last time after missing three weeks; can improve. (6) SHAGUAR will get plenty of tote action on the major driver change from amateurs to Callahan. I’m undecided as to whether the change equates to success. (2) AUTOBIOGRPHICAL hasn’t done much since the claim but does have early speed that could help him sneak into the exotics at a big price.
Race 6
(3) HIGHALATOR took care of business in style when last seen here and still seems on track for some Grand Circuit tests down the road. (7) MIGRATE BLUE CHIP moves into the Ron Burke barn and could improve in a hurry. (9) WEGOTTATRUCKYEA should lay back early and have a chance to pass some tired horses who were trying to keep up with the top choice.
Race 7
In a tough field to separate, (5) THE ROCK failed on the lead when speed wasn’t winning last Saturday. He deserves a second chance for a hot barn. (9) OUR SKY MAJOR N had no chance at Yonkers last week in the Levy but showed some promise on the big track up north. It is worth noting that Bongiorno opted off a Burke horse to drive this guy. (7) SOMESIZESOMESTYLE is in a winning spot if he can work out the right trip. (2) IRA CHIEF comes in from Yonkers with just enough form to think he can make some noise during the mile.
Race 8
(4) BETTOR MEMORIES has stayed with the field the past two weeks without threatening. Let’s give him one more shot in his third start off the bench. (8) ART HISTORY is another in the field who is better than the effort put forth last week. I’m willing to roll the dice with him another time. (3) SPECIAL T ROCKS showed his class while down in class last week and is very capable of building on that effort. (5) BARIMAH A had some late life a week ago and is clearly a threat here, but I fear he’ll be overbet.
Race 9
(2) STRATOCASTER was second best behind a rejuvenated That’s My Opinion last out. Tyler Buter should have him close to the lead and in position to score. (4) MR BIG LOAD has been racing well for some time; clear danger. (5) SENTENCING MEMO isn’t as bad as he showed last time; class dropper. (10) JDS BRENT N SHEREE came up with a monster mile, winning while hung every step last week. If he does that again, watch out.
Race 10
(5) FEARLESS LEADER N seems to be sitting on a win and finds the right field to help him achieve his goals. (4) MAJOR WAR has burned some of my money lately. I still think he can win here but my confidence is waning. (3) ROGER MACH EM drops down and gets a driver change to Callahan. (8) DAVID’S DREAM closed well when last seen on the track.
Race 11
(3) HALLIE’S COMET qualified nicely and although Lachance can tend to play things more conservatively, this looks like a great start for his 3-year-old unveiling. (7) DEERFIELD BEACH finished a solid second behind the top pick in their recent qualifier; obvious contender. (2) CAVIART LUCA came out of the same race as the top pair but could continue on after setting sensible fractions.
Race 12
(8) POISON OAK took a shot last week and tired. Now Callahan joins the team and the price should prove right. (4) UF FAST FEELIN scored at this level a week ago. (7) MR JULIAN has romped in consecutive starts for this claiming tag. It is hard to ignore him. (2) TIJUANA PARTY has four straight second-place finishes to his credit.
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