Meadowlands: Saturday 4/22 Analysis
Best Bet: WHO DO YOU LIKE (9th)
Spot Play: ODDS ON EQUULEUS (5th)
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: 179 - 605 / $908.60 (-$301.40)
BEST BETS: 26 - 52 / $100.40 (-$3.60)
Race 1
(5) MR HASANI N raced super at Philly and now tries his luck back in New Jersey. Although his lines don’t look great at this level four and five starts back here, he was facing some killers in City Hall and Barimah A. (1) K RYAN BLUECHIP couldn’t be any sharper. (4) BETTERLATETHNNEVER was facing solid competition at Saratoga and should be a fit here.
Race 2
(4) DOREL looked good in his career debut and doesn’t exactly face any monsters in here. (8) WILDMAN ships up from Rosecroft with a perfect record this year; class test at the Big M. (3) SOUTHWIND JENSON faced a good one in Boston Red Rocks while qualifying and did come home in 27 4/5 despite losing by 10-plus lengths. Three-year-old did show some hints of ability last year.
Race 3
I have to admit beforehand that I really don’t love any of these horses. Let’s try (7) TO BEACH HIS OWN, who displayed good speed at both ends of his mile last week and actually shows a decent lifetime mark over this surface. (1) SHAGUAR has been finished ok versus better of late; Callahan’s choice. (9) TWINCREEKS JACK is clearly sharp, but the lack of ‘big track’ experience concerns me.
Race 4
(5) MOONLIGHT RANSOM tends to burn cash more often than not, but seemed to race a bit better with Miller in the bike last time versus a better field and might be ready to wake up. (3) SIR ZIGGY’S Z TAM had no shot from outside posts in his last two starts. (6) TWINCREEKS JESSE gets the same class break as the top pick and a driver change to McCarthy.
Race 5
(5) ODDS ON EQUULEUS blew an easier field away last time. Classy veteran can handle the class hike. (6) TOO DARN HOT raced evenly upon arrival while up in class and could be put in play this week. (9) LEGION OF BOOM has been racing well all year and has the early speed to get into the mix. (8) WINWOOD MAC is another moving down the condition ladder for a top barn.
Race 6
(8) ELRAMA N came up with a huge mile last week and has been known to string together good efforts as evidenced by his nine wins last year. (4) DEETZY has the early speed to make plenty of noise and perhaps steal the race. (1) QUALITY CLOSER has found his form at Pocono and can push away to work out a good trip in here.
Race 7
(9) IWILLMAKEYOUSAYWOW is clearly going to need a huge effort to win from post 10 versus a very sharp field, but I think he is clearly the best and the outside post should help provide decent odds. (3) DOWNTHEHIGHWY chased the top one nicely last time and should be forwardly placed for a big check again. (7) SO TAKE THAT was used hard and could sustain last time. He is an obvious player with any decent trip. (4) P L IDAHO hails from a barn that is scoring at a good clip; using underneath only.
Race 8
(8) THE REAL ONE has been just even since returning from winter vacation, but his one-run style doesn’t work very well on smaller tracks when chasing a slow pace. This looks like a good spot. (3) SPECIAL T ROCKS is very sharp now and hard to ignore. (1) MORE DRAGON comes off a nice confidence-building win at Yonkers but does face some hard-knocking older types this week.
Race 9
(6) WHO DO YOU LIKE knocked three seconds off his lifetime best following the claim by Eric Foster last time. While he gets in under the AE conditions, he really shouldn’t be in this class. (1) MAJOR KEY was absolutely tremendous in winning his last start and got a well deserved extra week of rest. As good as he was, if the top pick comes with a repeat effort, this guy will be far back in the rearview mirror. (4) MIKE’S Z TAM raced reasonably well in his first start back and could be a sneaky play for second. (7) WEGOTTATRUCKYEA closes well for a big piece every week.
Race 10
(8) UF FAST FEELIN charged home like a turbo jet in the stretch last week to win going away. In another blank field, he should prove tough. (6) CAMTURO BEACH has been chasing nicely since the barn change and addition of Lasix. Can he get over the top? (5) LEGACY N DIAMONDS comes off a blowout win out of town and picks up Callahan. (1) FOX VALLEY CUPID has early speed and was sharp prior to being used early last time.
Race 11
(3) SIPPIN ON SUDS double-drops for Burke and gets no excuses this week. (7) MISTER TRUTH got wiped out last time. Saunders trainee is a good fit in this spot and must be included on your tickets. (5) BRUCE’S MAGIC raced well behind Odds On Equuleus last time; another contender. (1) PERSEVERANT improved on the barn change and lured Callahan off #7.
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