Meadowlands: Saturday 3/4 Analysis
Best Bet: ODDS ON EQUULEUS (7th)
Spot Play: GRIFFON HANOVER (1st)
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: 131 - 430 / $658.20 (-$201.80)
BEST BETS: 20 - 36 / $79.20 (+$7.20)
Race 1
(6) GRIFFON HANOVER surprised me last week when he didn’t pull first over. Hopefully Campbell will send him hard in this non-descript field and attempt to wire the field. (4) EVER AGAIN was a solid second in his first start since early December and could prove to be the favorite in this spot. (2) ULTIMATE CREDIT adds Gingras in his second start for the Burke barn and could show more.
Race 2
(1) CLASSY DRAGON chased home some Open-caliber foes and sprinted home willingly in his comeback qualifier. That effort should have him ready versus a relatively blank group. (4) OGDEN BLUE CHIP finished up with good pace while qualifying last week, though his final time needs to get a couple of second faster tonight. (2) WITCHITA has been a consistent exotics player at this level for months. (5) STIRLING ENSIGN comes off a decent comeback mile at Saratoga and could improve.
Race 3
I don’t select Pat Lachance horses often, but they do tend to race well when classified in weaker spots. (4) SOUTHWIND MASIMO finds a perfect spot this week and hopefully will be sent to the front by Eric Carlson. (3) BIEBER HANOVER has been racing well for amateur Joe Lee and should improve further with Brett Miller signed on. (5) GIANT SLAYER has been awful lately, but the addition of Gingras is somewhat intriguing.
Race 4
(5) SO TAKE THAT roared past an easier group last week with Callahan, who seems to get along nicely with this guy. In a $15,000 race where most of these are used to racing for half that amount, I’m expecting enough early action to set up a repeat performance at a price. (2) PRINCE PALANI has early speed and form. He could actually provide a smidge of value while seeking his third straight win. (1) MISTER TRUTH & (1A) YANKEE HEAVEN form a strong entry for trainer Bruce Saunders and figure to play the role of favorite. The former gets Gingras back in the bike tonight. (3) BRUCE’S MAGIC has been racing well and is an upset player if the trip is clean.
Race 5
(10) STARLITE KID raced evenly last Friday versus a tougher group in his first start since 12/16. With a start under his belt and Gingras jumping in the bike, I’d expect to see early speed. (4) OUR JERRY LEE N has been racing well and should fit nicely with most of this crew. (5) ROGER MACH EM had some issues in the slop last time but has plenty of strong efforts against this NW5000 class. (1) CHOCOLATE CRACKERS comes off a confidence-building win at Saratoga.
Race 6
(7) ALBERTO CONTADOR N didn’t fire from an outside post at Yonkers last time. His prior efforts here were super and with Brett Miller opting off, the value should be there as well. (5) CLEAR VISION is now in the Jennifer Lappe barn after a great run for trainer Ron Burke. Double-millionaire can take air and keep on chugging. (8) ROCKEYED OPTIMIST is the horse to beat in theory, but I have some doubts as to how hard he’ll be pushed from the outside post. (2) JACKSRLUCKYTOO has won three of four; this spot is more difficult.
Race 7
(5) ODDS ON EQUULEUS has been brought along nicely by trainer Tony Alagna for his 2017 debut and he finished up sharply in his most recent qualifier. This looks like a fairly good spot. (4) K-LEES SHAKENBAKE will be a major threat if he can somehow overcome his case of seconditis. (3) EASTEND EDDIE makes his second start off the bench and does add Gingras; worth using on pick 4 tickets. (1) BARIMAH A is back at the level of his last win.
Race 8
(1) ELRAMA N drops back down to a more comfortable class for him. He should bring a top effort. (8) PARNU HANOVER should be firing off the gate and he could go a long way if left alone. (5) DREAMLANDS ART comes off a bunch of throw-out lines from outside posts at Yonkers; wake-up candidate. (3) STRATOCASTER has performed well at this level in the past.
Race 9
(9) PLAYEROSA has been knocking on the door of late and perhaps Gingras can get him over the top. (2) BUSBOY HANOVER is another horse getting a new driver. His recent races are really not that bad. (1) VICTORYDAZE WILWIN can’t seem to buy a decent trip lately. He can definitely win tonight. (4) ALWAYS N THE MONEY seems like a better play underneath.
Race 10
(7) DATELINE HANOVER blew away a field at Saratoga last time and now arrives for a barn that is 7 for 8 on the meet. (4) JK ONAROLL gets a new driver and an improved post. (8) UNIX HANOVER & (9) LEGION OF BOOM are moving into new barns and either could get the job done.
Race 11
(7) JACKSON BRADY should be able to make the front in this spot and you can’t fault his form. (2) CASHENDASH HANOVER will probably be forced to brush to the front and needs to find the staying power to last. (5) LUCKY MAN has a clear shot but will be overbet with Gingras in the bike this week.
Race 12
(3) CITY PIE hasn’t been very sharp lately but does tackle a formless group. Veteran has as good a chance as any. (8) LAUXMONT CAPRI & (7) MR BLISSFULL are both moving down the class ladder and either seems capable. (9) RING WARRIOR hasn’t raced in a month and is coming off a scratched-injured line. That said, he is fast enough.
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