By Edison Hatter, Meadowlands Handicapper — Early Double — Saturday, May 6, 2023
Race 1:
1 TWIN B JAMMER – He doesn’t show a lot in his recent form at Yonkers and Pocono, but he does get some significant class relief here that should help him out. He has six wins in the past two years, including a 1:52.4 mile over this track.
2 DANCING LEW – He hasn’t been able to show a lot in recent miles down in Maryland and Delaware, but he does seem to find a realistic spot tonight at the bottom of the class ladder in his first start for the Rob Harmon barn.
3 LYONS PEGASUS – Brushed to the top last week against tougher, but he was caught late and had to settle for third in the end. Nonetheless, he raced pretty well last week and gets even further class relief in this one tonight.
4 I’M BURLINGTON N – Won against claimers here at the Meadowlands just five starts ago, but hasn’t been able to get a lot going in his last three off the claim against tough TM fields. Draws well and seems to find a better spot here.
5 JK’S ON THE MOVE – Has a second and a third in the last two against easier and should have some confidence from those miles. Starts the move back up the class ladder again tonight, but will look to build on his last two miles.
6 WHISKEY BREAK – Toss that last line from Post 8 down at Freehold, but overall he hasn’t been able to show a lot in his recent form. He has been facing tougher in some of his recent miles, but I’ll pass and watch here to see how he fits.
7 SPORTS ADVISOR – Not a lot going on in his recent form and he really wasn’t able to show a lot two starts ago here at the Meadowlands against similar. Similar spot tonight and a big improvement is needed for him to contend here.
DRIVER CHOICES: None
Selections: 3-4-5-2
Race 2:
1 GHOSTINTHESHELL S – Hasn’t been seen since November, but she qualified very well a few weeks ago here in prep for this start. She earned five wins and quietly chugged along nicely last season. Can get a piece in this short field.
2 FASHION SCHOONER – The 2022 Hambletonian Oaks Champion kicked in :26.1 in each of her last two starts in fields of three, but just couldn’t get past PRIMADONNA DEO. Does have a few extra weeks of fitness on others in here.
3 DREAMONHIGH – She earned nearly $140,000 last year and has started her season strong this year with three wins in a row. However, this is a tougher spot she finds tonight against some very classy mares. Could also have a fitness edge.
4 SWANS EYE – Qualified really well here at the Meadowlands three weeks ago, but has had a few weeks off now since then before this start. She took on some classy ones out in Indiana last year, but I’ll pass and watch one from her here.
5 BELLA BELLINI – The double-millionaire Champion returns tonight off of a very sharp qualifier last week. The TVG Final Champion, the Breeders Crown Champion, the Hambletonian Oaks Champion, need I go on? The one to knock off here.
DRIVER CHOICES: None
Selections: 5-2-3-1
