Meadowlands: Thursday 1/2 Analysis

MEET STATS: 303-90-48-41 / $421.20 (-$184.80)
BEST BETS: 24-13-2-0 / $39.00 (-$8.00)
BEST BET: BIG ROCKY (2ND)
SPOT PLAY: KID PK (5TH)
Race 1 – Non-winners 2/3 races or $20/$30,000 life - **$25K GTD Pick 5**
(7) THE MAGIC OF LIFE comes with some risk as he broke two starts back and is often at the mercy of the pace scenario. That said, none of these jump off the page for me and I see enough early speed to set him up. (6) ZOE F all three starts since moving into this barn. (10) MISSION HILL looks good on paper and never missed the board in 2019, but post 10 will make the task harder.
Race 2 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less
(1) BIG ROCKY rallied well in his first start for this barn and lured Ginsburg off other contenders including (2) R M BLACKHAWK, who has early speed and is a clear wire-to-wire threat. (6) SO TAKE THAT was ok from off the pace last time and could be a threat if kept in striking range. (9) KABOOM POW raced well in a similar class here two starts back.
Race 3 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(3) PEMBROKE BADA BING qualified back well and faces a blank field. Seven-year-old has some class and can call on it here. (1) MASSIVE TALENT wasn’t bad last time and might attempt an early brush from this post. (5) CON AIR HALL hails from a barn that excels when they find soft spots like this one.
Race 4 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less
(3) SUMMER ROCK should make the top without issue this week and sit no worse than a pocket trip; great spot. (5) SAVANNAH SMILES is another with early speed that seems likely to control the action and get a big check. (7) ALLABOUT THAT RACE has been sharp at Monticello and has won on the big track in the past.
Race 5 - $7,500 Claiming
(2) KID PK finished behind the red-hot Preppy Art last time. Veteran makes his second start for the Surick barn and should be ready to roll. (1) VILLAGE JACKSON moves to the inside of the starting gate and is more than capable of taking these down. (6) WALKS OF LIFE continues to roll along showing good speed and form; a player. (4) LUCK N ROLL K is back at the $7,500 claiming level where he won two back.
Race 6 – Non-winners 2 races or $20,000 life
(1) REIGNING BILLS wasn’t awful in his first start down from Canada for this barn. Don’t be shocked if this son of Bettor’s Delight perks up. (5) ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP saved ground and rallied nicely last Thursday; chance with a smooth trip. (2) SURF THE WEB was used to the front and tired last time; new tactics now? (10) ODE TO GRAY was used and tired a week ago. Winning from post 10 isn’t easy.
Race 7 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5 - **$35K GTD Pick 4**
(7) JOHN’S ONE DESIRE has seemed to be sitting on a win lately and the trainer change this week combined with the addition of a more aggressive driver could push her over the hump. (2) PIRAEUS and (8) MILADY DENVER A have been facing better competition and either could step up here.
Race 8 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(1) AWOL HANOVER raced well over this oval upon arrival from Saratoga and looks as good as any in this field. (5) THE CUSE IS LOOSE raced well in a condition higher than this one last time out. (10) CHIEF JUSTICE closed well last time, but as a closer from post 10, the task won’t be easy.
Race 9 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less
(6) SPILLING THE BEANS toured the track in her first start since September. I’m expecting to see much more now. (5) MAJOR MAID gets an interesting barn change, though it is strange to see the old trainer in the bike. (8) SEW PSYCHED has early speed and good form.
Race 10 - $10,000 Claiming
(2) LEAR SEELSTER doesn’t jump off the page but seems like one of many contenders given the right trip. It seems likely that trip will decide the winner in this race. (7) MIDNIGHT DYLAN N and (3) JUSTIFIED look like the early speed players and as such should, they should both be in prime position. (1) TORRID BROMAC N sees his claiming price cut in half. Will he awaken or be awful?