Meadowlands: Saturday 6/24 Analysis
Best Bet: TIMCAT HANOVER (7th)
Spot Play: CITY HALL (7th)
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: 63 - 151 / $314.70 (+$12.70)
BEST BETS: 9 - 13 / $22.60 (-$3.40)
Race 1
(3) MR VARSITY was chasing some very good 3-year-olds in his qualifiers and that alone should have him tight enough to face this blank field. (1) LORD GAGA did ok from an outside post last week. His four wins this year are more than the rest of the field combined. (2) POP’S ROMEO gets a new driver; maybe that helps?
Race 2
(6) MOJARRA HANOVER tends to wake up with a big mile in cheap spots like this one. I give this mare as good a chance as any in here. (3) CEDAR HALL HEIRESS hasn’t been that bad in two starts at the Big M while getting stuck in some very fast miles (1:50 1/5 & 1:49 2/5). I’m expecting a solid performance on the class drop. (1) ROCK ME GENTLY returns to the Meadowlands at a reduced level and could awaken.
Race 3
(7) TIMCAT HANOVER has some excuses for his two subpar performances since the return from a layoff. This field came up very soft and this guy should take advantage. (3) UFFIZI has the ability IF he can behave. (6) ROLL N CATCH debuts for a new barn. Brett Pelling, one of the top trainers for many years in North America, is back after returning home for more than a decade.
Race 4
It is hard to get very excited about the players in this bottom-level claimer. (9) YACHT KING has put together two credible performances for this tag and only needs a reasonable trip from out here to have a major say. (6) JAY BEES GRIN N has early speed and form. (1) ALLEN THE OPTOMIST should get away close from the pylons and have a legitimate shot.
Race 5
(3) MACHTU N was in a tough spot last week and clearly had something left in the tank. Dropping a notch tonight, he should take care of business if trainer Nick Surick can avoid trouble as he takes the lines. (6) JACKSRLUCKYTOO should beat this field in theory, but I’ve said that a lot with this guy and been disappointed. (9) WHATAORSE has the speed to overcome the outside post and decent form as well. (1) LUCKY MAN has plenty of class to call on and does come off a win.
Race 6
(7) R J P faces older foes but is clearly the most talented of this group. He should be able to march down the road. (1) JUSTIFIED took too much air last time and paid the price. He should have the best chance of pulling off the upset. (3) OH JONNY B GOOD N was facing tougher at Yonkers; worth a look as a saver.
Race 7
(1) CITY HALL & (1A) IWILLMAKEUSAYWOW form a powerful entry. Both have enough form to get the job done and they very well might run one-two. (6) BETTOR’S EDGE went down the road when last here two starts back and seems like the main danger to the entry. (2) TITUS SEELSTER is capable of a big mile but may need a career best mile to win.
Race 8
(3) MATTAMERICAN ships in from Yonkers where he was facing strong competition while mostly starting from the middle to outside of the gate. I wouldn’t be shocked if the big track helped him. (1) CHUCARO ACERO BC swept by in the stretch last week for an impressive win and seems very capable of making it a double. (2) BET YOU also comes over from Yonkers where he raced well without a true chance. (6) THAT’S MY OPINION has been a new horse since entering the Lounsbury barn. (4) BRUCE’S MAGIC, (5) ALLSTAR PARTNER & (7) TOATSMYGOAT all have a legitimate shot in this wide open field.
Race 9
(6) SPICEBOMB swept a weak field last time and now comes back in the same class. This group is slightly tougher, but perhaps the confidence builder last time will make him that much sharper. (2) DAYLYN HORIZON has been in form for a while and only needs a smooth trip to menace for the top spot. (3) THAT’S MY HARLEY could be dangerous if left alone on the engine. (1) TO BEACH HIS OWN couldn’t handle the class jump last time; chance in here.
Race 10
(5) TWINCREEKS JACK drops down with early speed and form; plenty to like. (6) CAMTURO BEACH was claimed right back by Fusco after losing him two starts back; good recent form. (8) VILLIE VALO came up big with Lasix added and certainly has a big shot in here.
Race 11
(2) WINDSONG GORGEOUS has been a bit better since coming back from the layoff and he catches a rather formless group this week. (3) PIERCE couldn’t rally in the slop on the half at Harrington. If he brings a top effort, he’ll be very tough to beat. (1) SHIPPS XPECTANCY should stick close early and get a spot in the lower exotics. (9) RELENTLESS DREAMER is a dead closer starting from an outside post in a field without much early speed; underneath only.
[DRF HARNESS NEWSLETTER: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter. Fresh content and insights delivered each Thursday.]