Meadowlands: Saturday 4/29 Analysis
Best Bet: HALUSKY (2nd)
Spot Play: PREPARTY (7th)
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: 187 - 627 / $946.00 (-$308.00)
BEST BETS: 27 - 54 / $103.20 (-$4.80)
Race 1
(4) SIR JACK drops down for a barn that has seen plenty of success here and Brett Miller is stopping by to drive before heading to Yonkers. (6) PLAY THE FIELD was just even off the claim; eligible for more. (5) ART HISTORY would crush this field if he could tap into his form from years past; fringe player now.
Race 2
(9) HAULSKY finished with steady pace in a very fast qualifier that features some upper-echelon competition. Undefeated 4-year-old should have his way with this group. (2) JK PRIDENJOY comes off a useful qualifier. Three-year-old showed some talent last year. (8) WITCHITA has proven very capable of hitting the board.
Race 3
(1) WORKANDPLAYHARD gets an inside draw and needs a strong showing to make next week’s G Notes final. I’m expecting an aggressive steer from David Miller. (7) TO BEACH HIS OWN beat a similar field last time, but I’m not sure that taking a short price in this guy is a great decision. (2) CAMTURO BEACH has been racing fairly well and does add Tetrick this week. (4) JOJO JOVE ships down from Saratoga with no apparent form. That seems like a strange decision, so I’m mildly intrigued.
Race 4
(1) B FAST EDDIE & (1A) WHO DO YOU LIKE were both written into the race under the AE condition and stand out as a heavy chalk entry. (7) JDS BRENT N SHEREE raced ok from the back of the pack after a layoff against a tougher group. He can surprise here to complete the exacta. (8) WESTERN JOE seems to have some ability if he is ready off a pair of qualifiers. (6) ROCKET DA RED gets a major driver change and deserves some consideration.
Race 5
(7) LEGACY N DIAMONDS showed some speed at both ends of the mile in his second start since early December. Against this suspect group, he can get the job done. (6) UF FAST FEELIN raced great two starts back from off the pace and spit the bit last time on the lead. Let’s hope for a conservative steer. (3) STORMIN RUSTLER showed some life last time; finding his form? (1) MAJO JUST DO IT picks up Gingras and is eligible to improve.
Race 6
(2) MCARDLES LIGHTNING hasn’t had too much success at Yonkers but does better work here. Let’s look for an improvement in form at a decent price. (5) RODEO ROMEO & (3) SPECIAL T ROCKS are both razor sharp and either could take this with a decent trip. (1) ALBERTO CONTADOR N was used from an outside post and just missed last week; contender again.
Race 7
(5) PREPARTY has been trying to close at Pocono lately which is a recipe for failure. While he returns to The Meadowlands at a level where he was just sixth on April 1, this certainly looks like a softer group. (1) SAM HILL put in a game try in his first start for this barn and picking up Gingras in the bike can only help. (9) BULLET BOB got burnt to a crisp trying to brush to the front last week; another shot.
Race 8
(9) IWILLMAKEYOUSAYWOW is certainly not the best horse in this race but he is the sharpest. While the returning 4-year-olds have more talent, I can see them taking it easy to start their 2017 campaigns, which should allow this guy to head down the road again. (1) SWEET ROCK was stuck outside in his last two races. Shipper seems to fit nicely in here. (2) BOSTON RED ROCKS, (7) CHECK SIX & (5) WESTERN FAME all qualified back well and any could take this race.
Race 9
(2) NEPTUNE has been racing well with the trainer in the bike and should only get better for Tetrick. (3) TODDLER TANTRUM comes off two open length wins out of town and now moves into a solid barn with Gingras taking the lines. (6) QUICK ASA TRICK N was just even in a fast qualifier to mark his first charted line in North America. Don’t be shocked if he is better than expected.
Race 10
(5) NO CHASER made a good move before tiring late in her last race. Joe Holloway trainee seems to be moving in the right direction. (8) PHYLLIS JEAN has to be the favorite here after winning two straight including in this class last time. I do worry that there is early speed just to her inside in (7) DUSTLANEMISSMOLLY .
Race 11
Although (10) MAJOR WAR tends to cost me money more often than not, I can see Gingras gunning off the gate in this spot and pulling off the upset. (8) DRUNKEN TERROR faces easier tonight and picks up Tetrick. (5) SOME KINDA BEACH arrives from Florida for a solid barn; ready yet? (4) MOONLIGHT RANSOM hung as usual last time; underneath only.
[DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]