Meadowlands: Saturday 4/15 Analysis
Best Bet: JACKSRLUCKYTOO (7th)
Spot Play: MATRIX OF LUCK (6th)
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: 175 - 584 / $892.20 (-$275.60)
BEST BETS: 25 - 50 / $97.00 (-$3.00)
Race 1
It is very hard to get excited about any of these horses and if I actually spent money here it would be pressing the ALL button in this leg of the pick 5. (4) WORKANDPLAYHARD has been racing just evenly of late. Perhaps the Hall of Fame driver change will make a difference. (6) UF FAST FEELIN could be flying off the gate in this spot, which would put him in a winning spot. (3) ART’S ON FIRE is the clear speed of the race. Can he go the distance? (1) CHEROKEE RANGER disappointed last time but was fine prior to that.
Race 2
(5) MIKE’S Z TAM might not be ready judging by his lone qualifier, but did face some good foes in there that made it hard to keep pace. This field is pretty awful and if he can come close to his form from last year, he’ll win on memory. (4) QUALITY BUD raced well enough here last time to expect a decent performance. (6) TRACTOR GLEN has some early speed and should be involved.
Race 3
(4) IWILLMAKEYOUSAYWOW may have worked out the perfect trip but still impressed me last time. Despite that sharp effort the price will likely be decent due to the presence of (6) SO TAKE THAT, who switches barns for the third time in four starts while winning all of them. (3) DOWNTHEHIGHWY held on for the win last time and could conceivably be sharper in his second start back from a layoff.
Race 4
(1) DUSTLANEMISSMOLLY moves back to the non-winners of X races class and should be forwardly placed from the inside post. (2) SANDY WIN rallied past tired ones to win last Friday. This group doesn’t appear much better. (4) PHYLLIS JEAN has been just even at Yonkers. Maybe the switch to the big track will help.
Race 5
(6) DOO WOP HANOVER lays over this field on paper. With plenty of qualifiers and now a pari-mutuel start under his belt, he really should take care of business. (1) K RYAN BLUECHIP has found his form and seems like the one to beat if the top choice doesn’t show up. (5) LEGION OF BOOM has been fairly consistent with 10 on the board finishes in 13 starts. (7) ALEXIE MATTOSIE can compete with this group if given a smooth trip.
Race 6
(3) MATRIX OF LUCK posted an even mile in his first start since December. I’m expecting a bit more aggression this time with a potential upset in his reach. (4) ARTISTIC MAJOR showed early speed but couldn’t stay with the red-hot Barimah A last time. On class alone he is supposed to be tough in this spot. (1) RODEO ROMEO has been racing well since adding Lasix and is a clear threat in this spot.
Race 7
(2) JACKSRLUCKYTOO is a horse I’ve been mostly avoiding in recent weeks. Tonight he drops in class and finds a short field where he can wait and avoid stretch traffic as he charges home to win. (4) BUSHWACKER is probably the horse to beat here and David Miller will undoubtedly be looking down the road. (1) DEETZY was used hard last time at Yonkers. He should leave well again and sit a good trip.
Race 8
(3) EVER AGAIN was in another time zone last week as the leaders went a 55 4/5 and he lost interest. Prior to that he was driven by a less accomplished pilot on bad weather nights. Four-year-old raced well last year and deserves a shot to put it all together under ideal conditions this week. (5) SPEED AGAIN qualified nicely and is very dangerous. (6) ODDS ON EQUULEUS dropped some time last week and is more than capable if on his game.
Race 9
(7) WHO DO YOU LIKE comes off a nice win and shouldn’t miss a beat moving into a live barn. (5) WAYWARD SON also comes off a win at this claiming level but loses his driver to the top choice, and he rarely picks off horses from this barn. (1) CAMTURO BEACH improved with Lasix added last time.
Race 10
(4) DRUNKEN TERROR gets away from the sharpest horses in this mini-series. He was charging home last week and looks primed for a photo opportunity. (7) ALEX BULLVILLE has been claimed three straight times and raced well two starts back when in this barn. (1) STOLEN GLIMPSE should win this race on paper, but he has proven unreliable.
Race 11
(2) SKY IS THE LIMIT loomed and flattened versus a better field last week. Trainer Vallee calls on a catch-driver this week against this lackluster field. (1) P L IDAHO has a recent win in this class and seems like an obvious threat. (8) SOME MAJOR BEACH raced well last time but drew poorly this week. (6) MAJOR WAR is better than he has shown but can’t get his act together.
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