Meadowlands: Stakes analysis – March 16-17, 2012
Friday, March 16
Race 3: SYRINX HANOVER FINAL
Believe it or not, five of these fillies are still maidens, so this is a very weak Final. None of these 3 year olds has impressed me so I’m going to take a shot with TOUCH OF CHARM. She made up almost 12 lengths through the middle-half in her first start of the year, then broke before the start last week and lost all chance, although she did recover and made up some ground. Ron Pierce is in the bike and he’s amazing in these stakes Finals. I’m not sure who will be the favorite, probably Miss Chip K, but she just broke her maiden in her 11th start last week. Whoever the favorite is will most likely be an underlay.
Pandy’s Picks:
2-TOUCH OF CHARM
7-AFTER MIDNIGHT
8-MISS CHIP K
9-FUNNY FASHION
Race 5: THE HORSE & GROOM FINAL
This is a nice field. Trainer Jeff Dauplaise has done a great job with FOUNTAINBLEAU VOLO. The thing that’s impressed me about this peaking 4yo trotter is that he’s done just about everything you can ask in his three wins over this track. He rallied wide and strong to win from off the pace; he left, tucked, went uncovered and won sharply from post 10; and then last time he brushed to the lead on a windy night and drew off to a career best 1:53.1 win. I’m sticking with the chalk here, but there are several solid trotters which could make this interesting if the favorite gets a tough trip and disappoints.
Pandy’s Picks:
2-FOUNTAINBLEAU VOLO
3-HERE COMES NUMBERS
9 MARCUS BI
4 CAMERON CHIP
Saturday, March 17
Race 5: FOUR LEAF CLOVER FINAL
This is another solid Final. I’m going to go with an upset and FREDDY DAY HANOVER. He broke two back but made up a ton of ground. Last week Pierce gave him an easy trip saving ground and he was blocked half of the stretch before angling out with solid late pace. Knowing Pierce, he’ll probably leave tonight. RISK MANAGEMENT has a big shot here. Last week he was in tight quarters and he just missed. FOOLS GOLD made a strong first-over move and held on gamely last time. I WANNA GO FAST can finish and if the pace gets crazy he has the ability to sweep by them all.
Pandy’s Picks:
4-FREDDY DAY HANOVER
1-RISK MANAGEMENT
3-FOOLS GOLD
6-I WANNA GO FAST
Race 6: OVERBID FINAL
ANNDROVETTE raced off the pace and had no chance to win from post 9 last week but she was moving well at the wire. This is her third start of the year and the champ will be sharper and more aggressively driven tonight. PUT ON A SHOW also makes her third start of the year, and after missing all of last season after knee surgery, she really needed her last two starts. Last week she was blocked in tight quarters but I expect a big effort tonight and I doubt that she’ll be 6-1 this time. TEA PARTY PRINCESS was on the bit last week and Campbell let her rip down the back and she power-brushed to the lead making up 7 lengths, then she was attacked by Chancey Lady and all things considered, Tea Party Princess held well for the place. HIGHER AND HIGHER paced over similar last week and she’s as game as they come. That being said, I expect the top two fillies to be ready for big efforts here and I’m still not sure that Higher And Higher is fast enough to beat either one of them with the big money on the line. The pace will probably be much faster than it was last week and the key for Higher And Higher is going to be staying within striking range.
Pandy’s Picks:
8-ANNDROVETTE
3-PUT ON A SHOW
6-TEA PARTY PRINCESS
5-HIGHER AND HIGHER