Meadowlands: Saturday 7/29 Analysis
Best Bet: MAGIC PRESTO (7th)
Spot Play: MASERATI SEELSTER (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: 109 - 263 / $524.40 (-$1.60)
BEST BETS: 15 - 21 / $48.00 (+$6.00)
Race 1
(1) SAMS TRIPLE CROWN finds himself in a strange class this week but definitely looks to be fastest. He should be able to get over his recent seconditis. (4) SICILY has plenty of early speed and should be put in play from the start. (2) HARRY TERROR had no chance last time from an outside post at Philly. I wouldn’t be shocked if he raced much better tonight.
Race 2
There are two things I’m pretty sure of in this race. (6) RUBIO & (2) SORTIE are the fastest two horses in this race and I have no idea if they will finally behave. The former was handled with kid gloves in the Dancer and never had a shot. The latter was sitting a perfect trip behind Walner most recently and blew up for no reason. If one of them decides to show up, they win. (5) GIVEITGASANDGO hasn’t raced in 20 days but does have valuable early speed in a race where the top two could easily break.
Race 3
(3) MAC’S JACKPOT has held his own for the most part versus the best 3-year-olds in North America and dominated when down in class three starts back. I have to think he shows up this week versus conditioned foes. (2) JACKSRLUCKYTOO isn’t at his best on the lead so it wasn’t surprising that he tired nearing the wire. With slightly different tactics he can win. (7) BETTOR MEMORIES has been racing pretty well and Gingras could get aggressive with him.
Race 4
(6) MASERATI SEELSTER took a tour of the oval upon arrival from Hawthorne last week. Gingras joins the team now and I’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t put him in play. (4) WALKS OF LIFE won against slightly lesser company and now moves into a new barn. There is no reason to believe his form will disappear. (1) JAY BEES GRIN N kept up rather well in a fast mile the last time David Miller drove him. He is clearly in with a chance. (2) YACHT KING is sharp enough to get a piece while up in class this week.
Race 5
(4) I’M A BIG DEAL sprinted home in 26 seconds in his career debut with no shot of winning. This guy has talent and you should still get a fair price with (5) NUTCRACKER SWEET signed on to the race. The latter didn’t appear to love the turns at Philly but still battled gamely. He won’t go down without a fight here. (3) POINTS NORTH also came home in 26 seconds in the same race as the winner, though he was much further behind. Better post tonight could help. (1) DANCINAT MIDLAND has some speed and should be involved.
Race 6
(4) ARIANA G has proven herself the best of the filly crop to date and now with Walner skipping the Hambletonian, maybe she’ll skip the Oaks to take on the boys. Either way, if she races on Saturday the odds are in her favor to win. (5) FINE TUNED LADY has big early speed and that should set her up in a perfect spot behind a likely-to-brush Ariana G. (3) DREAM TOGETHER closed well upon arrival last week and should be even better with Dube in the bike. (7) TREVISO is perfect in five starts this year but will need to find a few seconds if she wants to win this race.
Race 7
(2) MAGIC PRESTO is perfectly set up for a run at the Hambletonian Oaks trophy. She was locked in behind Ariana G last time in what was a great tightener for tonight and I’m expecting a breakout performance. (3) THATS ALL MONI never got into the action in the Del Miller but that doesn’t mean we should give up on her. There is some talent here. (5) OVERDRAFT VOLO was a victim of circumstance in the Tompkins last week. I expect Andy Miller will have her in close attendance this week.
Race 8
(3) MORE DRAGON dropped and raced very well last time. He takes another slight dip down the class ladder and should be very tough. (10) LEGION OF BOOM has a pretty good line in this class two starts back and should offer some value from the outside post; using. (1) PREPARTY & (6) SIPPIN ON SUDS are both coming off even efforts and either is capable of stepping up with the right trip.
Race 9
(5) BILL’S MAN is hard to love in this spot considering he seems to be sleepwalking through some of his races, but there really isn’t much power in this field from where I sit and if they can find away to wake him up, I don’t see a horse that is faster than him in here. (7) WHAT THE HILL is almost a lock to be on the lead and he can certainly win, but I’m just not a huge fan. (11) YES MICKEY couldn’t be in better form. The second tier is the main issue. (9) DOVER DAN gets a Hall of Fame driver in the bike this week; hmmm.
Race 10
(3) TWINCREEKS JESSE outraced even my expectations in victory last Saturday. If he brings a repeat performance they aren’t beating him. (5) QUALITY BUD battled gamely with the top choice last week before settling for second; threat. (1) FEELING CAM LUCKY & (1A) MACHS BEACH BOY will take a ton of action on the driver changes angle. They certainly have a shot.
Race 11
(5) WAKIZASHI HANOVER seems to have turned the corner in recent weeks. I’ll ride the wave. (6) MEL MARA just wasn’t himself trying to race from off the pace in a bulky field; expecting more speed tonight. (2) ROCKEYED OPTIMIST has a big race in him and I wouldn’t be shocked if he surprised here.
Race 12
(3) ART MIAMI moves in a few spots on the gate and that could make a huge difference. None of these are killers and this guy seems to be sitting on a lifetime best mile. (7) CLASSIC SEEBREEZE has a mile back on June 24 that would make him very competitive in this race. You have to think Gingras will be gunning off the gate. (2) STAKEOUT had every chance and lost a week ago; using underneath now. (9) ROLL N CATCH kept his act together and raced ok last Saturday. Can he get into the action from the outer post? (4) YO APOLLO CREED comes off a 15-1 upset and should offer value again.
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