By Dave Brower, Meadowlands Handicapper — Early Double Analysis for Saturday, OCT 10 —
1 BANK SEA – Talk about needed post relief! After five straight bad draws, Bank finally gets a decent post. And a slight class drop too! Both should help. I suspect we’ll see a better effort from him here, maybe at a price.
2 PAPIAMENTO – Unleashed a strong brush and crush to beat the claimers last week. Note he’s out of claimers now. Simon A was listed, but opted to #3. Not sure how to read that. I still like this one. He’s razor sharp right now.
3 ALL IT TAKES – Allard’s choice might have something to do with the bigger barn of Cullipher. That makes sense. This gelding will step back UP the class ladder after useful confidence booster. This horse tends to stay good for a while.
4 BIG BAD BILL – Back over from Yonkers where he picked up two checks. Not bad. The last try here was from post 10, so that doesn’t matter. If you were searching for a playable longshot, I wouldn’t talk you off this one.
5 MINDTRIP – Hard to believe he’s dropped this far in class. AKA as Jessica Otten’s favorite horse, she’ll probably go visit him in the paddock. That alone might spark a rejuvenated effort. Don’t be surprised if Dylan D has him ready for this.
6 DAKOTA JACK – Seems to have tailed off, so let’s put him on the longshot list for now. Needs big wakeup.
7 IMAGEOFAROCKER – Blasted last time when the claim was in, but boy did he stop. I know Sodano barn is strong in spots like this, but Justin may have his work cut out to get this one back. Also out of claimers. Will it help, or hinder?
8 WALKS OF LIFE – One of several in here that won their last race. Makes for competitive handicapping. The knock here is the post! He can leave, but faces lot of others who leave also. Somebody will get the trip. We have to guess who.
9 PREPPY ART – I really don’t know what to make of that last clunker. He’s right back in the box, so I guess he’s okay. If he races like that again, he might end up on the steward’s list. The post stinks. I’m probably swinging against.
DRIVER CHOICES: Simon Allard 3 over 2,4
| Top Contenders 5-2-1-3 |
Race 2
1 VIPER – Still getting the hang of this racing thing. A few starts last year. A few starts this year. Not much success.
2 CLAYTONS BETTOR N – Enters off a superb speed try here last week. It was almost unlucky that he didn’t get the win. I think we’re looking at a pretty short price from the good inside post. Will be very hard to beat with Simon back again.
3 DOUBLEAGENTMAN – Invades from the north today, on what might actually be a class hike. Since he hasn’t raced in a few weeks, I may take the wait-and-see approach. Will have to go a lot faster to win here. I need to see it first.
4 FLYING FINN N – If you want to take a swing against the favorite, maybe you can try this one? Croghan gave this guy a few weeks off, but he came back with pretty solid qualifier. I’d love to see the same speed. In line for a nice trip.
5 BULLVILLE TERROR – Picked off a couple of tired ones last few. That’s not bad, especially at the long odds. He’s got the right post to just sit and wait for the flow. I wouldn’t leave him off the ticket in the underneath spots.
6 I’M NO PANSY – He’s had a couple of starts to get acclimated, but I do need to see more before I would endorse.
7 WELL DONE SON – Moves to a new barn here, and Team Bongiorno stats are strong in that column. My knocks are the post, and possible lack of early speed. I want to watch one, to see if he’s a fit for Club Med. I need to see it.
8 ROCKIN RODEO – Another possible threat to the favorite, as long as Pat B can motivate him early. There can’t be any taking back in a spot like this. It will be tough enough to make up ground on #2 late. Better get good position.
9 ACES ROCK – This does not look like a good spot for him, from the outer post. Hasn’t shown enough speed yet.
DRIVER CHOICES: Marcus Miller 1 over 7
Simon Allard 2 over 3
| Top Contenders 2-4-8-5 |
