Meadowlands: Saturday 6/15 Analysis
CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 47 - 142 / $254.20 (-$29.80)
BEST BETS: 6 - 10 / $18.00 (-$2.00)
Best Bet: CENTURY CHURCHILL (1st)
Spot Play: FIRELIGHT (13th)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Race 1 – Non-winners $3,500 last 5 starts - $25K GTD Pick 5
(7) CENTURY CHURCHILL made a big move in the fastest part of the race last time at Pocono and paid the price. He does well at The Meadowlands and relishes these starts at the bottom condition. (8) SPORTS VISION rallied nicely from far back versus claimers last week and should fit nicely here. (2) GOOD DAY MATE has been racing reasonably well and should enjoy the move to an inside post. (9) PERSEVERANT has the early speed to make some noise but he’s an underneath play only for me.
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Race 2 – Non-winners 4-5 races or $90,000 life
(1) WISE IMAGE tried to go down the road and was caught by a more talented 3-year-old last week. Five-year-old should have every opportunity to rebound here. (5) MAJOR DECEPTION drops out of Sire Stakes action looking for an easier spot; chance to awaken. (7) ALL IT TAKES faced Dealt A Winner last week, so this is clearly a big class drop. (3) WORLD ON EDGE has early speed and is good enough to win.
Race 3 – Winners 20 races and $200,000 life
(2) IDEAL CANDIDATE sat behind a slow pace and lost any chance in his latest. Veteran seems unlikely to accept the pocket this time unless the pace is really quick. (3) CMON BUZZ OFF perked up last week and is clearly a threat again. (1) CYAMACH N was used in the opening quarter and couldn’t last a week ago; chance to rebound. (7) FOXLAND worked out a smooth trip to win last week. I prefer him underneath.
Race 4 – Non-winners $12,000 in last 5 or $14,251 last 7 starts
(3) K RYAN BLUECHIP was finally placed first-over and did what he does best, grinded out a game mile. He couldn’t pass a rated leader but still put in a solid mile. Let’s look for similar tactics here. (1) STONEDUST proved that he can go with this kind last week and he could prove tough with a smooth trip. (4) SAGEBRUSH SID overcame post 10 last week; using. (2) OCEAN COLONY can’t be discounted after a career best win last time.
Race 5 - $7,500/$10,000 Claiming Handicap
(9) BANK SEA was a well-meant winner on a night where he was claimed last Friday. He moves into a good barn here and should come back strong again. (4) THE ROCK moves into a new barn and qualified ok; maybe. (1) ROCKAHOLIC has been finishing well lately and perhaps he’ll be kept closer from the inside post here. (5) TITUS SEELSTER has shown decent form of late and could be used in the lower exotics.
Race 6 – Trackmaster Rating 80 or less
(8) EVERY WAY OUT went a solid mile last week in defeat and catches an even softer group this week. (1) NAMEISONTHEHALTER has a string of solid efforts at this level while unable to get over the top. (2) ALWAYS A DIAMOND was too far back last time but new driver Andy Miller tends to be more aggressive. (6) SPONDULICKS N got away with soft fractions and won last time.
Race 7 – Non-winners $6,000 in last 5 starts
(1) NEW TALENT went a big mile on the engine last time when losing to a horse with a golden trip. That race was a step in the right direction and I’m hoping he can build on it. (7) WHITTAKER N takes another dip down the class ladder but didn’t exactly catch the easiest group; capable of waking up. (4) SOLO STORY also moves down and he has the early speed to menace. (5) SHATTERED GLASS has a string of solid performances to his credit.
Race 8 – Non-winners $20,000 in last 5 starts - $50K GTD Pick 4
(1) MACH N CHEESE gets a better post to work with this week and only needs to stay within striking range to have a big shot. (8) WHEELS ON FIRE woke up with a strong wire-to-wire performance most recently and could have gained confidence. (2) ALOTBETTOR N & (7) SHADOW CAT are an uncoupled pair from the high percentage Bongionro barn that could certainly win.
Race 9 – Non-winners $6,000 in last 5 starts
(6) MACH DÉJÀ VU made a nice uncovered move against better when last here and should feel right at home versus this bunch. (9) SPIRIT OF TRUTH raced well last time and now picks up Miller. (7) TIE YOUR SHOE ED rallied well for second on the class drop last Saturday. (3) MR CARROTTS raced well on the barn change and has the early speed to secure good position.
Race 10 – Non-winners $9,100 in last 5 starts
(3) CITY HALL gets a key class drop down to the level of his last win. (1) MY DELIGHT has picked up his game with Lasix added. (4) QUALITY BUD should flash early speed and be a contender for at least an exotics slot. (6) BRAVO TEX N can’t get over the top but should be used underneath.
Race 11 – Trackmaster Rating of 74.9 or less
(4) UNDRAFTED comes down from Canada for connections that have shown success on that angle. (3) TARAMAKAUREACTOR N rallied decently with no chance last week; moves inside now. (7) OH MY JOEPA also gets a bit of post relief while showing good recent form. (9) SOUTHWIND DARWIN responded nicely for the new barn last time.
Race 12 – Non-winners $12,000 in last 5 or $14,251 last 7 starts
(1) SHARP ACTION MONEY comes off a win and seems to have found a soft spot. (2) CAPTAIN TREVOR is a talented colt that has started out on the wrong foot. Don’t be shocked if he wakes up in a big way here. (5) ROCKAPELO has improved with Lasix but needs even more to have a shot at a top spot.
Race 13 – Trackmaster Rating 74.9 or less
(6) FIRELIGHT took plenty of air last time from an outside post versus better. Class drop here should do the trick. (3) BET THE DRAGON comes out of the same race as the top pick and deserves some consideration. (8) BUCKEYE CHROME raced well with the addition of Ginsburg last weekend. (5) RING WARRIOR drops out of claiming action where he was facing sharper foes.