Meadowlands: Thursday 12/26 Analysis

MEET STATS: 278-83-42-37 / $380.80 (-$175.20)
BEST BETS: 22-11-2-0 / $32.40 (-$11.60)
BEST BET: PREPPY ART (5TH)
SPOT PLAY: MISSION HILL (3rd)
Race 1 – Non-winners 2/3 races or $20/30,000 life - **$25K GTD Pick 5**
(1) P L MUNSON rallied well last time at Monticello from a tough spot and was previously doing well at Philly. Three-year-old has a big shot in a in a soft field. (7) THE AMERICAN DREAM comes to town from Indiana by way of Ohio and seems like a fit for new trainer Melissa Beckwith. (2) CAVIART SAGE came off the bench last time and tired in the stretch while facing better foes. Two-year-old can improve.
Race 2 - $7,500 Claiming
(4) JUST N BERLANDER took too much air uncovered and lost any chance last time. He remains at the same level off the claim by a good barn and should put in a nice effort. (6) WALKS OF LIFE finally broke through with a win last week after getting a perfect trip. That victory could bolster his confidence. (5) R M BLACKHAWK has speed and some form; threat. (2) SIR RITCHIE N showed a bit of life last time; barn change.
Race 3 – Non-winners 2/3 races or $20/30,000 life
(5) MISSION HILL put together a strong mile last time and clearly has some ability. (10) FEEL THE MUSCLE has a win and a second in two starts in this class recently; post the only issue. (3) TAJA MAHALA dominated at Monticello. Could that strong performance be the springboard that kickstarts her career? (6) STAR TRACK HANOVER is capable of a big mile but his recent form is spotty.
Race 4 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less
(2) AGE IS A NUMBER tried to come uncovered into a rated pace and faded badly last time. Barn seemed to perk up a bit last weekend and this field is soft. (8) MAJOR MAID is capable of firing off the gate and taking this field a long way if Crawford is willing to roll the dice. (5) JUSTABITOFCHARM is another with early speed potential that could make her presence felt.
Race 5 - $10,000 Claiming
(3) PREPPY ART bumped up his claiming tag and delivered again. He’s back in the Surick barn now and his last appearance resulted in a career best mile. (2) T’S ELECTRIC should be able to loop the #1 easily and sit a sweet trip behind the top choice. (6) LUCK N ROLL K finally scored after the barn change and merits some consideration here, but I’m looking at an underneath play only. (7) KID PK gets a barn chance to the hot Surick stable.
Race 6 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less
(8) SO TAKE THAT gets a pass last week having started from post eight and all of his recent tries before that came in amateur races. (6) HURRIKANE ALI picked up his game last week but I’m concerned about his lack of early speed; mixed feelings. (7) ALWAYS B MAGIC and (2) LETTUCEROCKU A are both capable of firing off the gate and either could get a big piece.
Race 7 – Non-winners 2/3 races or $20/30,000 life
(7) ODE TO GRAY should fire to the front and take care of business in this field. (4) SUNFIREWINDRAIN displayed late life in his second start down from Canada and might be ready to pop off a big mile now. (9) BETTER BE GOUDA has been rallying reasonably well from the back late and another minor share seems likely from the outside post.
Race 8 – Trackmaster Rating 74.5 or less
(4) SOMETHING REEL comes off a win at Yonkers and seems to be in a soft spot. (3) CLEARLY BETTER has been racing well here; main threat. (5) SAVANNAH SMILES has some early speed in her arsenal and does hail from a good barn.
Race 9 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5
(5) CAN DO is a classy veteran who has seen better days but should still respond at the basement level here. He did show a hint of late life in the stretch a week ago. (3) SORTIE HANOVER comes off a win but wasn’t exactly lighting the world on fire in this class prior to that mile. (7) CONMAN CROWN made a break last week and now gets class relief; wakes up? (8) ILLINIMIGHT has been racing reasonably well but hasn’t been able to get over the top lately.
Race 10 – Non-winners $3,600 in last 5
(1) KEENE OLIVIA left well from post eight and tired after getting pointed to the rim in the second half of the mile. Eight-year-old was facing much better before that and has the class to step up. (3) ALKIPPE has been stuck in some fast miles lately and might be the right fit here. (7) JK JAZZITUP missed over a month and came up a bit short most recently. With that start in hand and early speed in her tank, she could be tougher now.
Race 11 - $7,500 Claiming
(8) SUMMER ROCK just missed versus (6) SEW PSYCHED last time. I’m taking a shot that she can get the front this time and wire the former. (1) DISH HANOVER can save ground and finish well with a clean trip. (5) ALWAYS ARTISTIC gets a nice post shift this week and could be firing to the front ahead of the top pair.