Meadowlands: Thursday 12/12 Analysis
MEET STATS: 218-69-30-28 / $311.60 (-$124.40)
BEST BETS: 17-8-2-0 / $23.90 (-$10.10)
BEST BET: ODE TO GRAY (1st)
SPOT PLAY: WESTERN TORO (10th)
Race 1 – Non-winners 2 races or $21,000 life - $25K GTD Pick 5
(3) ODE TO GRAY displayed speed at both ends of his qualifying mile and was very willing in the stretch. Three-year-old showed some promise earlier this year and looks ready to roll. (1) SURF THE WEB raced well at the end of October and then took another month off before qualifying again. Can’t say I love that pattern but he’s still a clear player to complete the exacta. (5) THUNDER DOME improved in his most recent qualifier and he does have some decent miles in Chicago.
Race 2 – Non-winners 2 races or $20,000 life
(7) YOLARRY gets a narrow call in a hard-to-figure race. Driver Hunter Oakes has seen some success by gunning off the gate and I’m hoping her tries those tactics here and lets the chips fall where they may. (4) SWAN MOTION has some form, which instantly makes her the one to beat. (3) LA DOLFINA comes off a break in action but does add Gingras.
Race 3 – Trackmaster Rating 77 or less Final
(5) ROSY OUTLOOK displayed some signs of life last week when rallying from last to get third. Six-year-old has a bit of class and finds a good spot. (6) MILADY DENVER A comes off a pair of seconds and has raced well from on and off the pace. (9) JBS SHOOTING STAR goes for three straight but must overcome post 9 at short odds. (4) ASHLEE SPARKLES came up flat from the outside post in just her second start back from a few months off. I wouldn’t be shocked if she showed improvement.
Race 4 - $7,500 Claiming
(5) R M BLACKHAWK was used hard last week and while he paid the price and tired badly, that type of aggressive drive shows me his connections think this 9-year-old is getting sharp. (4) CADILLAC PHIL couldn’t handle the trip last week. He’s clearly the one to beat here with any decent trip. (1) CYCLONE ARTIST has early speed and figures to use it from the cones.
Race 5 - $7,500 - $10,000 Claiming Handicap
(5) RACING FOR RICK is one of three legitimate 10-claimers facing lesser here and I expect as the best drawn of the group she’ll be firing off the gate. (1) SEW PSYCHED took a shot and tired in her first start over the track. Veteran moves into a barn that seems to be heating up here. (7) LULU DE VIE is almost certain to leave fast but these Plainridge shippers haven’t been great so far.
Race 6 - $7,500 Claiming
(2) JUST N BERLANDER drops in for a cheap tag and I have to believe that trainer/driver Abbatiello will have him ready. (6) RIVER RUNS DEEP got parked out last week but should have a clearer road to the front in this short field. (1) CC BIG BOY SAM is the horse to beat if he shows up, but since changing barns he hasn’t done much.
Race 7 - $7,500 Claiming Final - $35K GTD Pick 4
(4) BIG CCS ROCK gets a key trainer change here to Surick and I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t pick up his game. (5) LUCK N ROLL K is clearly rounding into form and he should enjoy the better post this week. (9) PREPPY ART has won six straight and races for his sixth different barn. I’m confident he’ll race well but not willing to accept the short price from a bad post. (1) FOREVERNALWAYS was impressive last time but moves into a new barn and I don’t know what to expect.
Race 8 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5 Final
(8) HOUSE HUBBY brushed and crushed last week and he has a big shot to repeat. (3) BLUE AND BOLD has been racing well and is clearly a player. (1) BROADWAY PROMISE had a tough trip last week. Five-year-old is sent out by a good barn who gets them ready for prime spots like this one. (9) MAX VOLO is certainly worth consideration, but the outside post, likely short price and the fact that everything worked perfectly for him last week are reasons to play against. (5) KABU is a bit of a trip horse but perhaps new trainer Nick Surick can move him up.
Race 9 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(1) CRACKLIN ROSIE improved nicely last week and can step up again here for a barn that is firing on all cylinders. (6) WOODMERE OLEKSIAK comes into town off a pair of wins at Freehold and certainly merits consideration. (3) DUCK DUCK DRAGON adds Gingras for a barn that has 5 wins in 13 starts this meet.
Race 10 - $7,500 Claiming Consoloation
(1) WESTERN TORO raced evenly in his first start in nearly seven weeks. Big driver change here. Expect a big performance too. (2) DAYLYN HORIZON is yet another moving into the Surick barn; awakens? (4) SHARKNADO gets a driver and trainer change. (3) STIMULUS PLAN can sit close and get into the exotics.