Meadowlands: Saturday 9/16 Analysis
Best Bet: MOJARRA HANOVER (12th)
Spot Play: WHAT I BELIEVE (10th)
MEET STATS: 8 - 23 / $30.80 (-$15.20)
BEST BETS: 2 - 2 / $7.00 (+$3.00)
Race 1
(6) TOP OF THE LINE clearly has some trouble winning with just 1 victory from 27 starts, but he’s certainly sharp and in a field where the favorites have some questions to answer. I’ll roll the dice with him at a price. (2) SHOSHIE DEO raced well here in NJSS action and has done fine out of town. I guess he’s the one to beat but a short price on him seems like tough action. (3) WOMEN’S LIB blazed the way on the engine and lasted in his first start with hobbles added. Can she be rated? (4) WHAT A KNOCKOUT has been at least ok in her 2017 starts; not impossible.
Race 2
(1) SWORD OF THE SPIRIT & (1A) FRANKIE BOY are both legitimate contenders in what looks like a wide open contest. I’ll take the two-for-one value. (3) RING WARRIOR will certainly be close to the action with his early speed and could capitalize if he gets a clean trip. (2) IYQ YQR sat a perfect trip behind a crazy pace and was able to establish a new lifetime mark. I can’t imagine things will go that easily this week.
Race 3
(3) MOONLIGHT COCKTAIL should be very comfortable in a field like this one. After some tough races at Yonkers, this should bunch should give him the opportunity to awaken. (5) DANISH DURANGO added Lasix last time and put in a game effort, but he has been racing well in the amateur ranks regardless. He should be a factor in here. (8) JACK VERNON is a horse with high speed that never really lived up to his potential. If he decides to behave, he’ll be a factor. (4) MURMUR HANOVER took care of business versus lesser a week ago; threat despite the class rise.
Race 4
(1) CAN DO never got involved from post seven at Pocono last time, but his prior form is fine. I can see Teague firing him up from the cones and trying to take this field a long way. (3) SILVERMASS VOLO also comes in from PA and has some decent form on his card; using in multi-race wagers. (6) LAUDERDALE is one of the few in here with obvious early speed. If the top choice lets him go and no one comes, he could steal this race. (7) PINKMAN deserves a mention because he is a former Hambletonian champion, but I haven’t loved his qualifiers.
Race 5
(1) BUCKEYE IN CHARGE rarely wins but faces a field that is 4 for 198 in 2017, so none of these have much form. These are the kind of spots where Pollio might take a shot and be aggressive. (3) QUALITY BUD double-drops in class and should be the favorite. How excited can I get about the chalk at 0 for 21 this year? (6) AUCKLAND FLYER was bottomed out last time. The pace will be slower tonight.
Race 6
(3) SUPER IMPOSED N has rolled in consecutive starts in Pennsylvania and I see no reason he can’t do it here. (1) ST LADS MOONWALK exits some tough races at Yonkers and does have a sub 1:50 win here in 2017. (6) TEXICAN N is another Yonkers shipper getting a bit of class relief. Peter Tritton trainee has plenty of class. (2) ASHLEY’S HUSBAND destroyed a field that on paper he was supposed to destroy; tougher spot.
Race 7
(7) EXPRESS STRIDE N dealt with his share of traffic trouble in the stretch upon arrival here last week. He faces a slightly softer group now and should be kept closer. (9) SICILY also had a bit of traffic in that same mile but didn’t exactly finish full of pace when clear. Since he had missed three weeks of racing, maybe he needed the start. (4) KOTARE YAEL N was in some higher classes at Pocono; should compete well. (3) CITY HALL has a great record at this track but bad form currently.
Race 8
(8) MCACE OF ARTS just missed while two classes higher last week. He should be rolling to the front again. (4) TWICE AN ANGEL was third, a couple of lengths behind the top pick last Saturday; inside post edge. (6) THE SUMMER WIND doesn’t always look pretty on the track but has class.
Race 9
(6) MR BIG LOAD has proven himself here in the past and has a big chance to control the action this week. (5) PREPARTY might scare some people away off the scratched-lame line, but he’s as good as any in here. (7) SPICEBOMB comes off a win. If the pace is somehow hot he could be rolling late. (3) PERSEVERANT had a long trip last week and could improve with a better journey.
Race 10
(4) WHAT I BELIEVE was a solid second two classes higher versus a runaway winner last Saturday. He should prove tough in this spot. (5) ROCK TO GLORY ships down from Saratoga and is well classified for a big effort. (2) WILLIE BOOTS comes out of the same race as the top one and finished just a neck behind him. (7) STRATOCASTER only needs a smooth trip to pick up a big check.
Race 11
(4) WILDFLOWER closed very well versus a well-meant winner in his first start for this barn last week. This looks like a prime spot for this gal to shine. (2) HILL I AM is a decent horse when he shows up and behaves. Maybe the big track will help. (1) DON DORADO should take plenty of action and looks playable on paper.
Race 12
(6) MOJARRA HANOVER tends to excel here when he is down in class. Ten-year-old has decent form and knows his way to the winner’s circle. (7) HIPNUMBERONE drops down for a barn that did very well here last weekend; dangerous. (1) GYPSY ROSE probably needed the race last week; can be better now. (2) TWIST OF FATE can flash some speed and hang around for a bottom exotic slot.
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