Meadowlands: Thursday 3/13 Analysis
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 3 - $30,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Race 7 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
MEET STATS: 80 - 286 / $459.10 BEST BETS: 12 - 23 / $38.50
Best Bet: TAKE THE MONEY (2nd)
Spot Play: GLOWNGOLD (4th)
Race 1
(10) DON’T BLAME HER has been sprinting home with no chance from outside posts in her last two starts. She is stuck with post 10 this week but drops down to the basement condition level and faces easier competition. (5) DRAGON RUFFLES returns to the level of her last victory; must use. (9) LIZS LIL K K is always capable at this level and was a bit better last time. (6) DAY TO PONDER has some early zip.
Race 2
(2) TAKE THE MONEY scored in her 2014 debut. I’m not rushing to go play her, but she does jump off the page against this sorry bunch. (6) STIRLING BULLET would seem to have a chance if kept closer to the action. (7) GIANNI comes off a decent try.
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Race 3
(1) EAGLE SAY raced better than her line looks in her most recent race. I’m not crazy about this mare or the lack of a top catch-driver, but the price should be right. (6) WATCH THE RHYTHM showed some ability at age 3 and her last qualifier wasn’t bad. (2) CHOCOHOLIC finds the perfect spot to flash speed. (7) BLUEBIRD KIDSQUEEN hasn’t missed the board this year.
Race 4
(4) GLOWNGOLD flashed good trot at both ends of her career debut mile. A small step forward should get her home. (1) DOT DOT DOT DASH bested many of these last week and looms as the favorite once again. (5) DAVE BRIGGS is making nice progression but I didn’t like the fact that he seemed uninterested in passing to the inside. Horses with limitations and quirks tend to make bad bets. (10) DAWNING DREAM might be too much of a plodder to overcome the outside post; exotics player.
Race 5
(4) LETTHEROCKBEGIN shows virtually no recent form, but welcome to race 5. This entire field is absent even one horse that finished second or higher in their last three starts. My thought is that this 6-year-old will be on the lead and maybe he steals the race. (6) HIGHLAND TERRIFIC draws a better post and should get a decent piece. (8) OK FERRARI added Lasix two starts back and did show some life. This gelding may be the one to beat, but he hasn’t won in two years.
Race 6
(3) PASSIONATE TERROR comes off a throw-out mile from an outside post last time. Trainer/driver combo is having a strong meet and this guy has already proven himself at the $12,500 claiming level. (9) CCS LOVER N was closing very fast in the stretch last time. With a better post he would have been my top pick. (7) ABS ATTACK failed as the favorite but deserves a second look.
Race 7
(2) ATLAS ALLIANCE N probably should still be at the C-1 level, but after a quick trip to Yonkers he finds himself in the basement condition. With any clean trip he can score. (1) SPENDER HANOVER failed as the favorite on the engine and may simply need a trip to find his form. (4) E STREET PLAN raced well after a year on the shelf; more now? (5) JOEY JOOKISS is clearly racing well.
Race 8
(8) WHATAORSE ships in from Freehold with enough form to consider. I can’t say I feel confident in this selection, but the others are hard to love. (4) LOCKLOADNEXPLODE almost took them all the way last time. (3) ST LADS HE MAN looks like a player with a clean trip.
Race 9
(7) YES YOUR MATTJESTY responded nicely with Tetrick in the bike and seems likely to get a more aggressive drive this time around. (2) TREY adds Gingras and won’t be far from the lead. (8) FRESH DREAM has some recent form.
Race 10
(6) FOX VALLEY LEGEND trotted home nicely last time, which was a big improvement over his prior races. Sometimes small signs of life can mean bigger and better things are on the horizon. (5) PAISLEY probably should win but tends to get nailed late. (12) STONEBRIDGE IDOL drops down in class. (4) CIVIC DUTY will make his presence felt at some point in the mile.
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