Meadowlands: Thursday 12/19 Analysis

MEET STATS: 254-78-37-33 / $349.20 (-$149.10)

BEST BETS: 20-11-2-0 / $32.40 (-$7.60)

BEST BET: SHARKNADO (11th)
SPOT PLAY: ODE TO GRAY (7th)
Race 1 – Non-winners 2 races or $20,00 life - $25K GTD Pick 5
(5) ZOE F paid immediate dividends on the barn change last time at Philly. You know the price will be right with Del Cid at the controls and as a daughter of Muscle Hill she is eligible to keep improving. (9) MARTZ STICK chased a fast clip versus a much better group last time in the slop. Gelding looks like he should be a serious player in here. (4) LA DOLFINA came up just short in his first start since September; another contender. (10) FEEL THE MUSCLE raced well for the win last time but might have some trouble from post 10 with a fellow early speed player to his inside.
Race 2 - $7,500 Claiming
(7) RICHARD HILL drops in for a pretty cheap tag and you have to think he’ll be firing to the front for Oakes. (4) HAWAII AND SUN raced ok in a very quick mile for the class last time with Gingras picking up the drive. In this softer group he figures more prominently. (2) AMERIMAN weakened after a good try on the engine last time; using underneath. (3) STIMULUS PLAN had some late pace a week ago and is a capable veteran given a clean trip.
Race 3 - $7,500 Claiming
(1) SUMMER ROCK comes off a toss-out mile where he was hung to dry. He drops in for a cheap claiming tag here and should prove tough. (8) SEW PSYCHED raced well off the claim but doesn’t get any favors with the poor starting slot. (2) MISTRESS ANGELINA shows some decent races at Saratoga and could be a threat. (7) FUTURE DELIGHT drops back down a notch and will likely show early speed.
Race 4 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less
(5) ROSY OUTLOOK went way too fast on the engine and paid the price last time. She’s sharper than that last mile would indicate at first glance. (7) VORTEX IVY picked up her game in her second try for this barn and notice those fast miles at Hoosier. Three-year-old should be very live for Gingras. (1) HALF A VIRGIN has been racing well and should be in the number.
Race 5 - $7,500 Claiming
(4) JUST N BERLANDER comes off a win and moves into a barn that is starting to really heat up here. (5) WALKS OF LIFE can’t get over the top for a win but chases and gets into the top three better than any of these. (7) DUCKIES DYNASTY went crazy-fast and tired last time. A smoother trip will produce better results. (3) SUNSET OVER MIAMI took a shot and weakened just a bit most recently; player with a trip.
Race 6 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(5) VINTAGE BABE only finished a couple of lengths behind a mare that will be odds-on in this race and although this gal is winless on the year, she certainly has the class to play in the basement at The Meadowlands. (1) ASHLEE SPARKLES raced well with no shot most recently. Three-year-old filly has a chance with the right trip. (3) CRACKLIN ROSIE is racing well but I can’t see accepting the short price. (9) SHEER TALENT is way down in class and it wouldn’t be a big surprise to see her awaken.
Race 7 – Non-winners 2/3 races or $21,500/$30,000 life
(5) ODE TO GRAY rated and sprinted home for the nice win last week despite starting for the first time since April. Roll With Joe-sired colt has a big shot to do it again and will offer a decent mutual. (3) ISLAND OF THE SEA raced well when last here to be second behind a superior foe and will take a ton of money now. (1) SURF THE WEB chased the top choice in a good mile most recently. Two-year-old is eligible to improve.
Race 8 - $10,000/$12,500 Claiming Handicap - $35K GTD Pick 4
(10) GLORIA PIERRE was used very hard last time and tired as expected. She drops back in for a tag this week and reunites with Gingras. (1) FOX VALLEY SIERRA had no chance from post eight last time but certainly fits cutting her claiming price in half from a few starts ago. (3) JOHNS ONE DESIRE only has one win here but is the type who always goes off at big odds and can upset. (8) SHES SPORTY A moves into a hot barn, but I’m not as keen with this move since it is likely only because regular trainer Banca isn’t permitted here.
Race 9 - $10,000 Claiming
(4) TS ELECTRIC finished second best behind a horse that looked much the best on paper last time, and that was his first start in a month. Veteran could upset here. (3) PREPPY ART was stung pretty hard last time and he is changing barns again. At some point all of those miles on the engine are going to wear him out. I’m not keen on taking a short price. (2) LEAR SEELSTER has been stuck with some outside posts lately. I wouldn’t be shocked if he stepped up. (6) MIDNIGHT DYLAN N goes for three straight and merits some attention. (5) MASTER OF PUPPETS drops in for a tag and faces a field full of early speed types. He could surprise.
Race 10 – Trackmaster Rating 77.5 or less
(5) JBS SHOOTING STAR has won in this class three straight weeks and is allowed to hang out a bit longer. (6) SOUTHWIND ION ships down from Canada in decent form and has won over the big track in the past. (4) WOODMERE OLEKSIAK is also looking for four straight wins; threat. (2) CULINARY DELIGHT N has been tackling good foes at Saratoga; chance.
Race 11 - $7,500 Claiming
(1) SHARKNADO comes off a strong effort and has a post edge here. I’m expecting an early brush. (8) R M BLACKHAWK and (7) ROCCO figure to show early speed and either one has a chance if left alone. (9) DAYLYN HORIZON won immediately off the claim but is not known for early speed and has an outside post.