Meadowlands: Saturday 5/20 Analysis
Best Bet: BILL’S MAN (11th)
Spot Play: BRIAN J (4th)
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: 18 - 42 / $82.60 (-$1.40)
BEST BETS: 3 - 4 / $8.40 (+$0.40)
Race 1
While I’m hardly excited about betting this race, (7) LIGHTNING RAIDER N has plenty of back class and gets a major driver change to Gingras; narrow call. (1) STORMIN RUSTLER responded with a good effort on the class drop to this level. He should be forwardly placed from the cones. (8) LIGHTNING STRIKE ships in off a win versus cheaper for a barn that typically has them ready upon arrival.
Race 2
(9) SHE’S WATCHING looked super in her latest qualifier and doesn’t exactly face the toughest group. Despite the outside post, I’ll go with this undefeated half-sister to He’s Watching. (5) OSPREY BLUE CHIP went an interesting mile here last week and I’m left with more questions than answers. Let’s give her one more shot. (4) SKY FULLA STAR raced well last week and could be sent to the top in this spot.
Race 3
(10) WILD SHOT HANOVER took plenty of air in a fast half for this class last out. He is stuck in post 10 again this week, but if he can somehow clear the front, watch out! (9) TWIN B SCANDAL hasn’t won a race in years and yet was still claimed for $10,000 back in March. After a couple of subpar efforts he got five weeks off. Maybe he is ready to roll now? (1) TOSSIES FLASH comes off a good attempt and should stick close from the cones. (8) BOLDER is another without a win for a while. I wouldn’t be shocked if he improved some on the big track.
Race 4
(4) BRIAN J was a handful and forced Miller to get aggressive with a wide move on the turn at Tioga last time. Linda Toscano trainee dug in nicely for the win and seems to have some ability. (1) ART SCENE put it all together in his most recent qualifier; very dangerous. (5) ROCK N BLUE won at Philly two back and it was impossible to see what happened to him last week since it occurred away from the visible action. He seems worth a speculative play with Gingras driving. (7) SAMS TRIPLE CROWN raced well in his first start in from Rosecroft.
Race 5
Going to roll the dice here with (10) QUICK ASA TRICK N. Down Under import faced much tougher foes last week and should be a nice price with Lachance listed. If he can keep this guy in striking position, third-over or better, a win is well within reach. (4) BABY KITTY is another one dropping mdown the condition ladder. I’d be surprised if he wasn’t ready for a good effort. (1) DANCIN HILL finds a good spot for a barn that knows how to take advantage of classification. (9) PREPARTY has speed in form but loses Gingras to #1. (2) ALEXIE MATTOSIE has plenty of class and is a trip threat.
Race 6
(8) CHRISTEN ME N sprinted clear from a solid group in his U.S. debut. I’m not ready to accept an odds-on price on this Down Under champion, but the sky seems to be the limit at this point. (3) DEALT A WINNER came back from winter vacation with a game win. Another step forward would make him very difficult to beat. (6) CLEAR VISION seems to bring a top honest effort every week.
Race 7
(2) LYONS SNYDER has clearly had some issues of late, but he did pace nicely after the early miscue last Saturday. Hopefully the switch to Gingras can help produce better results. (8) ROCKEYED OPTIMIST came to life last time. Was it the sloppy track or a sign of things to come? (1) JJ FLYNN was good enough to try the Breeders Crown last year. He is making his Burke barn debut and will almost certainly be a good price. (9) DOCTOR BUTCH is off a sharp effort in this class last week.
Race 8
(5) TO BEACH HIS OWN drops back down to the level of his last win and should be controlling the action here. (1) WORKANDPLAYHARD should stick close to the early action from the cones and perhaps the driver switch to Gingras can get him over the top. (6) TWINCREEKS JACK beat up on weaker last time. Can he handle the class hike for new connections? (4) UF FAST FEELIN has won in this class before and seems like a legitimate price option.
Race 9
(2) DURANT should be tight after that mile at Pocono last Saturday. Five-year-old has been known to pop a big mile at times and this looks like a great spot. (9) MILLENIUM WHEEL lacked a stretch kick versus better last week. I wouldn’t be shocked if he was aggressive in this spot. (8) STRATOCASTER is another getting class relief who could have a say. (6) PLAY THE FIELD has won in this class before and the price will be right tonight.
Race 10
(7) BROADWAY DONNA impressed me in her seasonal debut and has every right to move forward off that mile. (1) DAYSON was awful last week but now adds Lasix. He is the horse to beat. (4) TACO TUESDAY gets tested for class tonight. He just might be this good. (6) DOUBLE L LINDY won his 2017 debut by open lengths. I wouldn’t be shocked if he stepped up here.
Race 11
(4) BILL’S MAN will destroy this field if given the opportunity to let loose a bit. (8) LAUDERDALE has shown time and time again that he can fire off the gate and wire any mid-level field. (5) DON DORADO comes off a couple of good races; using underneath.
Race 12
(6) RELENTLESS DREAMER finished a steady second behind a runaway winner last week. Nine-year-old doesn’t win often but Campbell is one of the few to help him find the winner’s circle in the past. (2) VICTORYDAZE WILWIN lost all chance with a break in the slop last time; contender. (10) RING WARRIOR & (3) BIG BAMBU hail from the top two barns in this race by far. I wouldn’t be shocked if either came to the table with a big effort.
[DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]