By Dave Brower, Meadowlands Handicapper – Early Double Analysis – February 26,2020
Race 1
1 MOTIVE HANOVER – A fresh claim here for Team B, and they have two in here, to make the handicapping a little tougher. You see which way Joe B went, so factor that in. This is a pretty big step up the price ladder. Will it work?
2 BLACK CHEVRON N – He’s rounded into form quite nicely for Chris C. But, he’ll get a new driver tonight, since Joe must drive his own. I see good, versatile speed to give new pilot options. I like the post and potential for good trip.
3 TONY TOO TALL – The Gillis barn has been sending a few more each week here at the Med, and that’s a good thing! Tony here hasn’t missed a check in recent memory, so he’s a good earner for them. Must handle the big track now.
4 ROCKIN SPEED – They found a nice, cozy soft spot for him over at Pocono and he rolled. Good confidence builder. Back to Club Med now and he’s just as good here. The speed is the weapon, so no confusion about that. Watch out!
5 FABRIZIO N – Invades from Canada for a Big M swing. The races up there are just as competitive as here at this kind of level. Sometimes it does take one start to get used to East Rutherford. This is no easy pace. I’ll probably watch one.
6 REVOLVER N – Raced his eyeballs out last week! It caught my eye, but I do wish he was still eligible for that spot. This will be tougher. He will need somebody to soften up the Bongiorno pair to have a rallying chance. A big maybe.
7 PALOMAR – Wow was he good last week too! Yes, I know the trip worked out nicely, but he leveled off midstretch and just exploded by. Plus, it was hard to close into those hurricane headwinds last Saturday. Extra points! Tough post.
DRIVER CHOICES:
Joe Bongiorno 1 over 2,4 Todd McCarthy 7 over 5
Top Contenders 4-3-2-7
Race 2
1 CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN – Just hasn’t found a way to get lucky and win one here yet. And that’s too bad, because this is the much tougher NW2 class. He’s facing multiple winners. At least he gets assigned the rail to help the cause.
2 PRETTY RICKI – Endured a pretty rough trip upon arrival last week. And that was into the wind. If anything, I was impressed that he didn’t pack it in. I’d be very willing to give him another shot after the acclimating trip. Must use.
3 MUDVILLE – Wasn’t making much of an impact here, so they took him to Pocono. Happens a lot and he immediately picked up his game. So, I’m a bit surprised to see him back in the box here. Let’s see if any stronger now.
4 GOTAFOOLISHDESIRE – Have to keep him on the longshot list for a while longer. Would need a lot more.
5 MEET THE CREEPER – That last start might finally be the hint he’s ready to come around. First time he was going forward at end of mile. That’s typical for this barn. They get better with racing. Let’s look for even more tonight
6 TRUFFLE DOG – They just keep pounding away at the betting windows and poor Truffle just can’t get the job done. He continues to race very well, however. But, eventually, even he will get a little tired. Needs some sort of different trip.
7 LAUGHAGAIN HANOVER – Scotty Z did a nice job of ground-saving last time, and the gelding finished with a bit more interest. Tonight’s problem is the post! Horse doesn’t look like a blaster, so how does he get into it?
8 DONTPASSME HANOVER – After the one miracle flying-finish win, he stepped up and just lagged again. I’ll pass.
DRIVER CHOICES:
Scott Zeron 1 over 7
Top Contenders 2-5-6-3
