Meadowlands: Saturday 5/25 Analysis
Best Bet: THINKBIG DREAMBIG (2nd)
Spot Play: TRUE CUT (4th)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 23 - 77 / $117.40 (-$36.60)
BEST BETS: 3 - 5 / $9.40 (-$.60)
Race 1
(3) MONTEPULCIANO had no shot from post 8 last week so we can just toss that line. Four-year-old has speed, a good amateur pilot and a high percentage barn in his corner. (8) JACKS TO OPEN rolled in a leg of the Billings at Freehold and this old-timer has seen success here in the past. (5) TALKOHOLIC reunites with Lee, who drove her well at Freehold two starts back.
Race 2
(6) THINKBIG DREAMBIG rode the cones in a solid performance last week and after two races where he’s basically been a non-factor, it is time to open him up on the engine and let it all hang out. (4) MACH N CHEESE uncorked an other-worldly 24 3/5 final quarter last week that will no doubt turn some heads. He’s got a big shot in here but could be an underlay. (1) ON DUTY has been racing well but seems best used underneath.
Race 3
(5) ASCOT ENCOUNTER A rallied well last time and should enjoy the slightly improved post tonight. (1) MAY I CRUISE WEST could be asked for big early speed from the pylons tonight but he doesn’t win very often. (4) MR CARROTTS was blown up last week at 1-9 but remains a major threat in here. (7) JUST N BERLANDER continues to roll along and Abbatiello has smartly found a spot where he can’t be claimed.
Race 4
(3) TRUE CUT finds himself in a very soft spot and those are the races when driver Eric Abbatiello will often gun to the front. (4) FINAL JUSTICE comes over from Philly in decent form versus a dull field. (2) STEADY PULSE gets a nice driver change and seems worth a look.
Race 5
(4) DEALT A WINNER hasn’t found the right trip yet but perhaps new pilot McCarthy will roll him to the front tonight with seemingly little early speed to his left. (5) NONE BETTOR A is on quite a roll now and the obvious favorite. (8) SEEING EYE SINGLE comes off a good showing, but it is interesting that the driver left this Burke horse for my top pick.
Race 6
(1) SPICEBOMB dropped to this level last week and hasn’t been done any favors with posts 9 and 1, but he does tend to wake up versus this kind. (2) STONEDUST improved on the class drop last week and is clearly a player. (9) SAGEBRUSH SID flashed speed and weakened last time; dropping now.
Race 7
(3) PAULY WALLY comes down from Canada with good form and enters a top barn. (2) SHATTERED GLASS has a win and a nose-loss third in his last two starts versus this company. (7) DEMOCRACY N has form but the post switch outside could hurt.
Race 8
(1) K RYAN BLUECHIP moves to the inside of the gate this week and if Ginsburg just shows him some daylight and lets him grind, he’ll gut-out a win. (5) WHEELS ON FIRE has gone a bit sour of late. That said, this seems like the right shot to take a flyer with an all-out early speed attempt. (6) BILLY BADGER N has turned the corner of late and will be a threat if they mix it up early. (4) NEW TALENT has been disappointing lately; drops.
Race 9
(7) MCTHRILLER went fast on the engine and weakened just enough to lose last time; another shot. (8) BARIMAH A hasn’t been involved lately but don’t let that fool you, this guy is capable of an upset. (4) LIMELIGHT BEACH makes his second start back off the bench and could show more.
Race 10
(3) BURNING MIDNIGHT has been a victim of circumstance lately at Yonkers and should have few excuses against this weak NW9000 field. (6) FOUR STACES has missed just over a month of action but does have some of the best recent big track experience. (1) HUDSONANDBERNARD will need a clean trip but I wouldn’t be shocked if he got into the number.
Race 11
(5) SMILEANDSAYCHEESE finally gets some class relief and should have a big chance to win. (4) STATEMENT MADE A gets a better post to work with this time. He raced well in this company three starts back from post 2. (9) STEVE SAID has speed and form but faces slightly tougher.
Race 12
(1) SPORTS LEGEND & (1A) ALBERGO HANOVER form a powerful entry from trainer Jennifer Bongiorno and either is capable of winning with any reasonable journey. (2) TIVO HANOVER came over from Yonkers and paid immediate dividends. Notice that he was bested by the 1A on 4/29 across the river. (7) CAPTAIN AHAB has ability but might be handled more conservatively in his first try of 2019.
Race 13
(6) COLONIAL ROAD drops out of claimers to face a lifeless group and really should prove tough. (4) SPEAR POINT has decent current form and that makes him a major player. (8) JUSTA CAMILION has found his form of late. (5) CABO REAL gets a nice driver change.