Meadowlands: Saturday 4/8 Analysis
Best Bet: WAYWARD SON (3rd)
Spot Play: RING WARRIOR (8th)
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: 165 - 562 / $848.00 (-$276.00)
BEST BETS: 23 - 48 / $90.00 (-$6.00)
Race 1
(4) CHEROKEE RANGER may have burned money at 2-5 last time but he did put in another strong mile. He appears to be the one to beat again. (6) WHO DO YOU LIKE switches from an amateur to Corey Callahan and will likely be flying off the wings of the gate; must use. (1) UF FAST FEELIN moves to a more desirable post and should be heard from at some point.
Race 2
(4) WINEMASTER HANOVER got back on track versus easier and finds another winning spot tonight. (6) MYSTIC FLOWER has the early speed to make some noise and she seems to be sharp enough to get a big piece. (3) WINDSUN ILLUSION was flat in the stretch last time, but he should easily get around the inside pair and work out a decent trip tonight. (7) HOT SUMMER KNIGHT just doesn’t seem to want to win now; exotics must. (5) SILVER CREDIT will likely need smooth sailing but seems like a fit with this group.
Race 3
(5) WAYWARD SON has been facing much sharper foes while up in class recently. He should prove tough in this race along with fellow class-dropper (3) GIANT SLAYER, who picks up David Miller to add to his allure. (4) FOX VALLEY CUPID ships in sharp from Monticello; using underneath.
Race 4
(3) BRICKMAN was a solid third when last in this condition and now he gets a nice driver change to a Hall of Famer. He was able to post a 1:51 3/5 win as a 3-year-old, so you know the talent is there. (6) WEGOTTATRUCKYEA only needs some live cover to tow him into the race in order to set up his late speed. (7) LEGION OF BOOM got involved early and raced better last Saturday. He’ll be a player if aggressively handled.
Race 5
(6) MAJOR KEY raced reasonably well with no shot from off the pace last time. I have to believe he’ll be put in play this week. (4) BANK SEA has the speed to compete and did qualify well. (7) SIN CITY SHARK moves into a new barn and is eligible to improve in a hurry. (8) IMIDEAL HANOVER had to need that qualifier last time after missing six weeks of action; not impossible.
Race 6
(2) RODEO ROMEO added Lasix and finished up his mile nicely to get the win last time. This is no easy spot, but the price should remain good on what could be an improving horse. (5) CITY HALL has dominated at The Meadowlands and he certainly looms as the one to beat in here. (7) ALBERTO CONTADOR N has the early speed to get involved but will likely need a good trip to win.
Race 7
(4) SPECIAL T ROCKS saved ground and shook free too late to menace last time. I’ll give him another shot and hope for a more aggressive effort against this evenly-matched field. I seriously missed the boat on (2) K RYAN BLUECHIP at 6.80-1 last week despite noticing that he looked much better while qualifying. If that same horse shows up this week, he’ll be right there at the wire. (5) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING double-drops in class and deserves some attention on your pick four tickets. (7) ODDS ON EQUULEUS makes his third start back from vacation and is as fast as any of these when right.
Race 8
(7) RING WARRIOR paced the fastest half of the night last Friday with an amateur driver in the bike. Eric Foster trainee looks ready to win and can wire this somewhat suspect field. (2) IWILLMAKEYOUSAYWOW returns to the Meadowlands off a decent effort and faces lesser. He should have a say in here but seems unlikely to make us say wow. (1) TWIN B SCANDAL could seemingly improve in his second start for this barn and moving to the inside post, but he hasn’t won a race since 2015.
Race 9
(4) BETTING EXCHANGE lacked stamina in his first start since November and can be expected to be sharper this week. (8) DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS drops down and adds David Miller. It is hard not to consider him in this spot. (3) DONAU rolled by the top choice last time and has won two straight now. (1) GALACTIC GALLEON N has no shot from post 10 last Saturday. He could be a sneaky play here.
Race 10
(4) DOWNTHEHIGHWY was just okay in his qualifier but he simply lands in a great spot tonight and can take care of business. (6) DRUNKEN TERROR gets a bit of class relief in his second start off the claim and I’m expecting a better effort. (3) ONE MORE MIRACLE has the early zip to make the top and work out an elite trip.
Race 11
(5) SO TAKE THAT is simply too sharp to play against after four straight wins. (2) MAGNUM MIKE took a step in the right direction last week; upset chance. (3) ALEX BULLVILLE moves into a new barn for the third straight week and should remain sharp. (8) STOLEN GLIMPSE may be the best horse but hasn’t been able to get his act together; qualifier could have been better.
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