Meadowlands: Saturday 6/17 Analysis
Best Bet: LETS HAVEA PARTY (1st)
Spot Play: UNCLE LILE A (5th)
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: 54 - 130 / $281.30 (+$21.30)
BEST BETS: 9 - 11 / $22.60 (+$.60)
Race 1
(3) LETS HAVEA PARTY comes off a nice win at Vernon and really doesn’t face much here. (6) MISQUED can grind all day seemingly and wouldn’t be a surprise if the top one has an off night. (1) KAP TIN MORGAN tries the big track after having trouble staying flat elsewhere.
Race 2
(7) CAMTURO BEACH woke up on the class drop last week and was immediately snagged by new trainer John Mc Intyre. Staying at this $7,500 level, I’m expecting another strong showing. (6) MR JULIAN displayed guts in a wire to wire victory last time. He merits using in multi-race bets, but he only wins about 10% of the time. (1) YACHT KING has speed and pylon position in a short shield. He could easily sit close and get a clean trip.
Race 3
(7) RING WARRIOR drops in for a $10K claiming tag and gets to face a group of lower level types. His current form isn’t great but new driver Callahan should help; expect speed. (1) STORMIN RUSTLER can sit close to the action in this short field and perhaps pounce late, as he did on May 27. (5) HONEYS DRAGON has a decent late kick and shouldn’t have to pass too many late.
Race 4
(5) SWEET JUSTICE raced evenly while up in class last week and really has no excuses for failure tonight. (1) MODERN MERCURY comes in from Pocono where she was racing well with the exception of the break last time. She is fast enough to win given a decent trip. (7) LANDONFITZ responded to the addition of Abbatiello last time and he sticks again. (4) GOLD MEDAL SWAN gets some needed post relief; clearly has a chance.
Race 5
(3) UNCLE LILE A took a shot versus tougher foes last week and held reasonably well. He faces a sharp one in (5) TWINCREEKS JACK, but seems ready to fire a big effort. The latter has won two straight and three of his last four. (1) LOVE TAP HANOVER can close well and should be up for a nice exotics spot. (7) SIR JACK is racing well enough to compete but may not be sharp enough to win.
Race 6
(5) ROCKEYED OPTIMIST is as good as almost any horse in the sport when on the top of his game and he seems very sharp now. (1) MEL MARA is getting better with each start. He is certainly capable of coming up with a monster performance. (3) ODDS ON EQUULEUS is another sharp veteran but the waters get much deeper this week.
Race 7
(5) ARTISTIC MAJOR is another Steve Elliott trainee that appears to be improving. He has the speed and class to handle this bunch. (2) CITY HALL got back on track at his favorite oval versus a weak field last week. The top one could be too much to handle tonight. (1) BRUCE’S MAGIC steps up in fine form and should be used in the trifecta.
Race 8
(2) SPICEBOMB was absolutely awful at Pocono last week, but those double-digit type losses out of nowhere are more often than not anomalies. Four-year-old is in very cheap and should remember how to win. (9) EVER AGAIN bumped up off a win and caught a bad spot last Saturday. He should be competitive. (1) DAYLYN HORIZON has been racing well for a while now but needs a clean trip. (7) UF FAST FEELIN wouldn’t shock me as a win player, but he’s only for deep multi-race tickets.
Race 9
I’m not thrilled with picking (5) JACKSRLUCKYTOO, but this does seem to be a good spot if he can happen into a second- or third-over trip. (2) MACHTU N returns from a three month break and qualified well. I can see him stepping up if things go his way. (7) SAMS TRIPLE CROWN has raced well here nearly every week. (8) CHUCARO ACERO BC drops down and could wake up with some early speed on Saturday night.
Race 10
(9) ALWAYS ROCK N ROLL ships down from Saratoga where he was racing well. Callahan chose this guy over the Dylan Davis-trained #7, which is key. (8) LORD GAGA raced evenly while uninvolved in a Big M try last time. Now Siegelman, who drove him to three wins at Monticello, joins the team. Maybe he’ll be put in play. (3) SOUTHWIND JENSON gets McCarthy back in the bike and should be kept closer to the action.
Race 11
(5) VILLE VALO raced well in defeat while in a very fast mile last time. New driver Andy Miller should have him rolling. (6) THAT’S MY HARLEY was used hard and tired last Saturday. He raced well the last time William Mann took the lines. (8) WINDSONG GORGEOUS raced reasonably well after a multi-month vacation; maybe. (1) YANKEE HEAVEN can save ground and hit one of the bottom exotics.
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