Meadowlands: Saturday 7/8 Analysis
Best Bet: HUNTSVILLE (8th)
Spot Play: TO BEACH HIS OWN (3rd)
Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 5 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Race 9 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Race 1
(4) DREAM BABY DREAM finished fast to be a solid second last Friday. She isn’t going to tackle the Ariana G’s of the world, but against this Reynolds group she should prove to be a major player. (6) OVERDRAFT VOLO has started off the year well with back-to-back wins. She has a big shot tonight but doesn’t seem to be worth a potential odds-on price. (2) SUNSHINE DELIGHT added Brett Miller but was in a tough spot in the EBC Final. This is easier.
Race 2
(3) WALNER was written into this race so he can have a prep before his stakes season gets underway. He qualified so effortlessly last time and should roll over this group. (1) ICE ATTRACTION & (1A) WINTER HARBOR form a strong entry that should complete a $4 exacta. (2) SWEET THING has been racing reasonably well and does add Gingras.
Race 3
(7) TO BEACH HIS OWN gets some major class relief despite staying at the same level on paper. I’m expecting new driver Brett Miller to be gunning to the front tonight. (2) MACHS BEACH BOY raced well from an outside post last week. This looks like a good ‘wake up’ spot; using. (4) WORKANDPLAYHARD finished ahead of the top pick last week from post 10, so from that angle he is hard to leave out, but he is 0-for-21 this year.
Race 4
Part of handicapping is knowing when your opinion isn’t that strong. After staring at the PPs for this race two separate times, I’m satisfied that I don’t like this race. For the record, let’s go with (6) SAMS TRIPLE CROWN. The 3-year-old is sharp and does pick up David Miller. (4) HOWSABOUTAKISS is another horse with form getting a positive change to a driver named Miller (Brett). (1) PLAY THE FIELD & (1A) LEGION OF BOOM ship in from Pocono off wins.
Race 5
(6) FAD FINANCE kicked home strong with no shot after chasing a slow pace last week. I’m giving this guy one more shot and hoping new driver Callahan can keep him closer to the action. (1) INTERNATIONAL MONI could be a heavy favorite in this spot but I’m not ready to accept the short price. (5) VICTOR GIO IT gets a mention because he has talent and you deserve that information, but I’m not on the bandwagon. (2) SOUTHERN CROSS seemed to improve with Lasix added and could be a factor at least early.
Race 6
(5) MATTAMERICAN couldn’t handle some of the Meadowlands Pace eligibles last week. He picks up an aggressive driver tonight while dropping in class. (1) LAST DRAGON posted a big mile the last time Gingras was in the bike. (3) WHATAORSE was a bit flat in the pocket a week ago; driver change tonight. (7) JACKSRLUCKYTOO doesn’t seem to want to win lately and will surely be overbet with Tetrick joining the team.
Race 7
(9) LADY SHADOW was spectacular last year and hasn’t missed a beat thus far in 2017. Currently sitting second in the national top 10 poll, she can’t afford a misstep if she wants any chances at Horse of the Year honors. (4) CALL ME QUEEN BE has the speed to take charge off the wings of the gate and the class to stick with the top choice. You may get a bit more value with her due to the recent scratched-sick line. (7) NIKE FRANCO N should be a player, but I can see her waiting for next week’s stake race to put up a big mile.
Race 8
(1) HUNTSVILLE skipped the Hempt at Pocono and thus elected to race in this elimination rather than take a bye. He’ll be 1-9 to win and get to draw for an inside post in the Final with the victory. (10) FILIBUSTER HANOVER has the necessary speed off the gate to gun to the front from post 10 and has proven very capable of chasing a top horse for second money. (8) BOOGIE SHUFFLE is another that is fast off the gate and could get good early position. I’m inclined to ignore the poor effort at Pocono last Saturday. (2) TALENT SOUP comes off a huge mile. Can he repeat that?
Race 9
Both Graduate Finals on the card are very competitive and should ensure that the $50,000 guaranteed late pick four pays handsomely. (3) TROLLEY finished second in the Earl Beal last year while competing against the best 3-year-olds in the sport. His season was cut short and only now are we starting to see the talent level of this son of Donato Hanover. With an inside post and the versatility to win from on or off the pace, let’s give him the edge. (1) BROADWAY DONNA isn’t known for her blazing speed off the gate, so I’m giving her a pass for the eighth-place effort in the Armbro Flight where she couldn’t rally off a slow half. She should make her presence felt tonight. I’m on the fence whether to use (5) DAYSON and (9) MARION MARAUDER in the pick four. Of course they are both capable, but I see both as underlays in the field. Thankfully this is the opening leg so you can check the tote-board and make an informed decision.
Race 10
Here is a tricky call. Do we go all in on (6) WAKIZASHI HANOVER and expect his class will allow him to dominate this group or realize he hasn’t gone a big mile in a couple of years and bet against? I’m of the opinion that he is hustled away and comes up big but I’m not sold on it enough to key him. (4) MAXDADDY BLUE CHIP raced well in his first start off the barn change and should prove a major factor with a small step forward. (7) BUSHWACKER faded on a tiring track at Pocono last week. He is better than that and can rebound in a big way.
Race 11
(4) DR J HANOVER is clearly in form and has a bit of a tactical edge with high early speed. As long as McNair keeps him out of trouble, I expect him to have a big shot. (2) LYONS SNYDER has always been a talented horse that doesn’t always show up. His last effort was solid and Scott Zeron seems to get along with him nicely. (8) BOSTON RED ROCKS can’t buy a win this year but hasn’t exactly been bad. If they mix it up a bit and he is sitting second or third-over, I’d definitely want him on my tickets. (6) SINTRA has been fantastic at times; worth using.
Race 12
(4) MR JULIAN went a strange mile but got the job done to win his fourth straight last Saturday. He’s in another new barn and that change comes with a top catch-driver this week; shouldn’t miss a beat. (2) WALKS OF LIFE made a big move and flattened last time. A smoother trip should better his placing. (3) HONEYS DRAGON raced just evenly for new connections. Maybe with the start in hand he’ll improve. (9) RING WARRIOR has high early speed and comes off a sharp effort.
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