By Dave Brower, Meadowlands Handicapper — Early Double Analysis — December 2, 2021
Race 1
1 PLEASURE SEEKER – Didn’t make much of an impact in first start upon arrival. Sometimes it takes a race or two. Was big price that night and will be big price again. Likely to sit in, ride the cones and try to keep up, kick in late.
2 CAPSAICINN – Also showed up for first time here last week and had a tough trip. Took some money, so Mark Mac had to put her in play. Will hope for a better journey tonight, with that effort under her belt. Not out of the question.
3 SILVER TAIL – Hasn’t missed a check here lately, so that’s a good thing! Seems pretty versatile too, which is always a plus. Drew a good post and will pack at least one solid move. Hard to leave off the ticket totally. Price okay.
4 DIVINE DEO – The Burke Brigade pair will attempt to take down the Alagna Armada favorite. Two sophomore fillies they recently took over. This one passed her first few tests over at Yonkers. Let’s see if she can handle the big track.
5 SKYY – Also out of the same race as a few of these. But, this lass got stuck in a complete block. So, I do wonder if she will get overbet off that. The obvious ones always do. Overall, she’s been a bit flat, or even lately. Needs more.
6 ALUMNI SEELSTER – Set a very fast pace in that race over at Yonkers, so I’m skeptical on how that bodes for her here. I would imagine some equipment changes will be made, but we might not see that. Take long look out on the track.
7 NORTHERN STORM – She is the one to beat again, but I’m not pronouncing her a lock by any means. Got away with soft pace last week and couldn’t hold on. The price is always short. The post is back to bad. Your choice, folks?
DRIVER CHOICES:
Mark MacDonald 2 over 1,3 Dexter Dunn 7 over 6
Top Contenders 4-6-7-2
Race 2
1 POUR MEA DOUBLE – Interesting spot for a 2YO against older. So far this year, the Wallin barn has been pulling all the right strings and doing very well. He’s been very careful with this filly up to this point. She’s got some ability too!
2 CLASSIC CON – Got a little tired in that qualifier, so I feel he’s not quite ready to deliver a winning effort here. He will just have to prove me wrong, if he can.
3 SUZY STAR – Aiming a bit high here, on the ship down from the Spa. Simply hasn’t come close to going fast enough to threaten these. But, you never know. Maybe she will pick up her game on the big track. Maybe.
4 SHENZI AS – That really wasn’t a bad try, first start here. It was no easy trip. The race was won up front, so they just got away from her. Yonkers form was flat. Let’s see if she can improve on that effort, and get a better journey.
5 P L OLIVIA – This team hasn’t gotten lucky to win one here yet, but this might be the one! What a strong wakeup call win that was down at Philly. The Lasix might be the difference. That same kind of effort could blow these away.
6 WISHING BAREFOOT – Another Spa invader, and it always seems that so few of them can handle it. This looks like a nice, consistent colt by Wishing Stone, so he’s probably not very big. I like the versatility I see. Let’s see if good enough.
7 PINE BUSH WILBUR – Loses his regular driver tonight. Oh well! Been doing fairly good work up at Monti, but as I always say, it’s a brand new ballgame here. Bad post won’t help. A grinder, so likely to get away at the back.
DRIVER CHOICES:
Renaldo Morales III, 5 over 7
Top Contenders 5-1-4-6
