Meadowlands: Thursday 12/5 Analysis
MEET STATS: 182-57-26-23 / $264.00 (-$100.00)
BEST BETS: 14-8-2-0 / $23.90 (-$4.10)
BEST BET: DAYLYN HORIZON (1st)
SPOT PLAY: BIG CCS ROCK (7th)
Race 1 – $7,500 Claiming Series - $25K GTD Pick 5
(5) DAYLYN HORIZON didn’t deliver despite a good trip last week, but every horse that beat him would be favored here. This looks like a spot where he should shine. (3) SIR RITCHIE N has been able to step up at times and even set his lifetime mark here last year, but this barn has been ice cold since the meet began. (1) R M BLACKHAWK hasn’t been finishing up his miles lately but a rebound is not out of the question.
Race 2 – Non-winners 2 races or $20,500 life
(5) MRS BROWNS BOY was a professional winner at first asking for new trainer Michael Russo and there is no reason to jump ship. (7) ACTOR HANOVER has been on the board in all recent starts and is clearly capable of a quick mile. (6) SUNFIREWINDRAIN ships down from Woodbine in good form and is more than capable on paper.
Race 3 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5 Series
(2) TOTAL DIVA picks up Gingras this week and I’m hoping he tries to fire this guy up against a weak field. (1) THE CUSE IS LOOSE gets a catch-driver back in the bike and one who has been driving very well lately. (6) NOBLE WARRAWEE has been racing reasonably well and did well when Abbatiello was in the bike. (8) ILLINIMIGHT has a recent solid performance in this class but drew poorly.
Race 4 – Trackmaster Rating 77 or less Series
(8) CAMPUS QUEEN gets lured into town for this mini-series and should fit nicely with this group. (1) JBS SHOOTING STAR charged home as much the best versus a decent group last time. She’s clearly the one to beat. (7) CLEARLY BETTER was short after nearly four weeks on the sidelines. I expect we’ll see some improvement. (2) SWEET YOUNG THING changes barns and is worth a look on that angle alone.
Race 5 - $7,500 Claiming Series
(6) PREPPY ART looks for his sixth straight win for his fifth different barn at this $7,500 claiming level and it is difficult to play against him. (7) CHEYENNE REIDER comes in off a decisive win versus cheaper at Monticello for a capable barn. Veteran has six wins here in 23 starts since the start of 2017. (10) LUCK N ROLL K took a step in the right direction at Freehold last time and might be ready to find some form after a dull streak. (3) MISTER ACCUMULATOR has some early speed and form; exotics player.
Race 6 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5 Series
(3) UNFORGETABLE didn’t return well after a year on the sidelines and now the owner sends him east to Harmon so a new set of eyes can take a shot. In a race where none of these jump off the page, I’ll take a shot. (7) MAJESTIC SUNSET certainly has the ability to step up and this field is softer than what he tackled last time. (9) ER SKYWALKER has missed four weeks of action and drew poorly, but this is a barn change so anything is possible. (1) HOUSE HUBBY was racing well prior to the break most recently.
Race 7 - $7,500 Claiming Series
(4) BIG CCS ROCK held well after an uncovered try last time and gets away from some sharp foes tonight. Four-year-old reunites with Buter who drove him to a career best 1:52 3/5 win four starts back. (6) FOREVERNALWAYS gets an interesting barn change and adds a Hall of Fame driver. (1) WALKS OF LIFE will likely go off the chalk in this spot but has a bad case of seconditis.
Race 8 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5 Series
(5) GONNA FLY is versatile enough to race well from on or off the pace. He’s winless here for the last three years, but none of these make me too excited. (4) BLUE AND BOLD raced well in his one start over the track. (1) KABU has proven he can win here but do you really want to play him as the favorite when he’ll need a clean trip to win? (7) MAX VOLO finally starts without a scratched-sick line between races; ready now?
Race 9 - $7,500/$10,000 Claiming Handicap
(8) GLORIA PIERRE drops in for a claiming tag, changes barns and picks up Gingras. All three are viable angles for a horse who on paper should win. (6) FUTURE DELIGHT kept up well last time after a dull try in her first start over the track. Don’t be shocked if she wakes up with a big mile. (4) SEW PSYCHED comes to town from Plainridge in fine form. (3) SIMONE made breaks in consecutive starts over smaller tracks and might appreciate the return to the Big M.
Race 10 – Trackmaster Rating 77 or less Series
(10) ASHLEE SPARKLES raced steadily in her first start for Ryder. I’m going to take a swing that she’ll be ready for more now. (7) ROSY OUTLOOK is the fastest horse in the race and she is getting a new driver. (1) DALI DELIGHT moves to a bigger track and maybe the change of scenery will help. (4) PAMMY JO has early speed and plenty of big track wins at Vernon.