By Edison Hatter, Meadowlands Handicapper — Early Double for Friday, April 28, 2023
Race 1:
1 STOLEN ART – Made a break at the start against similar last time out, but overall hasn’t been able to show a whole lot in his recent form, including several starts against similar. Tough to build a strong case for him in this one.
2 A B COLLINS – Led early and raced well to finish second at a price against similar when last seen here four starts ago. Hasn’t gotten too much going in the last several up at Monticello, but does return to the big track tonight.
3 IN THE HUDDLE – Couldn’t get a lot going three and four back against similar here at the Meadowlands, but he has gotten a pair of checks in the last two at Freehold. Draws well and will look for a trip in this one tonight.
4 MASTER CONRAD – Finished third against similar three back when the pace setup for him up front and he was able to get a trip. He hasn’t been able to show a lot overall though against similar and seems to be up against it again here.
5 CAMLACHIE CHROME – Left hard from Post 10 three starts ago against similar, but wasn’t able to show a lot in the back half of the mile ultimately. Has gotten a pair of checks in the last two at Pocono and returns to the Big M here.
6 PINEBUSHDRAGONROLL – He’s made breaks in the last two against similar here at the Meadowlands against similar at prices. Draws better this time than last, but will certainly have to stay flat in this one if he wants to have a chance.
7 LEGATO – Hasn’t been able to show a lot in his last few starts against similar here at the Meadowlands. He is just 1-for-23 in the past two seasons and would look to need to take a major step forward in order to contend in this one.
8 DISMISSAL SLIP – Couldn’t get a whole lot going in an even try here at the Meadowlands four starts ago and he just scratched two weeks ago from a spot here at the Meadowlands. I’ll pass and watch one from him tonight.
9 SHARKNADO – Finished third last time out down at Freehold against much easier in what was hopefully a confidence-gaining mile for him. Returns to the big track, where he really wasn’t able to get a lot going two and three back.
10 FINAL JUSTICE – Just finished second last week against similar and has been getting checks in recent starts. He’s had past success here and looks to have a big chance on paper, but he will have to work out a trip from Post 10.
DRIVER CHOICES:
Matt Zuccarello 3 Over 6
Selections: 10-2-5-9
Race 2:
1 HARDROCKCAFE – Qualifier was just okay for him last week as he prepares to make his fourth career start tonight off the layoff. Made a break and was in a tough spot from Post 10 in the NJ Classic when last seen in September.
2 AB’SMIDNIGHTXPRESS – Didn’t love the way he finished off his two qualifiers the past few weeks as he prepares to make his third start tonight. Wasn’t able to show a lot in those two starts last season here at the Meadowlands.
3 SQUARED AWAY – Won a division of the Simpson well down at Philly when he was last seen and he finished off his season on a three-race win streak. Draws well and will look to keep it rolling here. Qs were just okay the last few weeks.
4 DEVILISH HILL – Picked up two wins last year and was able to show some talent when he could stay flat. Breaking issues definitely were a problem for him last year, so he’ll to stay flat here off of a just okay Q two weeks ago.
5 LITTLE EXPENSIVE – He had two wins last year from his four lifetime starts last season. The $260,000 Lexington purchase was a serious contender in the NJSS Final before he broke at the start. Q was very sharp in prep for this one.
6 TACTICAL APPROACH – His two qualifiers were also very solid the past dew weeks and he did pick up a pair of wins last season. We’ve seen several from the Takter barn come back sharp off layoffs in the last month here at the Big M.
7 ARI FERRARI J – The $620,000 regally-bred Lexington purchase wasn’t able to show the most at times last season, but did earn $215,700 as a two-year-old despite only winning once. Q was very good for him last week.
DRIVER CHOICES:
Todd McCarthy 1 Over 2
Selections: 5-7-6-4
