By Edison Hatter, Meadowlands Handicapper — Early Double — Saturday, April 29, 2023
Race 1:
1 VAN DIESEL – He has a pair of wins in his last three starts and his form has been solid here at the Meadowlands lately generally speaking. Draws well tonight and looks to have a big winning chance tonight in this MADC field.
2 TRASHYTONGUETALKER – Had to work early two back from an outside post and make a break last time out, so there are a few excuses for the last two tries against similar. Still, has to show me a bit more before I can support him here.
3 GUYS IN THE BAND – Big longshot in a lot of his recent races and he hasn’t been able to show too much. The line four back where he finished second stands out, but that was against an easier group than this tonight. Does draw well.
4 MEET THE CREEPER – He’s been getting checks and has continued to take significant money in recent starts, but he does remain 0-for-15 this season. He’ll likely break through soon, but the price has been too short for me lately.
5 BIONIC – Finished third against a group of claimers last time out down at Philly from an outside post off of a sick scratch. He’s had a few gaps between races lately with a few scratches, but he’ll look to build some consistency tonight.
6 REAL LUCKY N – His recent form doesn’t show a lot and he is currently 0-for-12 on the season. However, he has been facing tougher in recent starts and did have eight wins in 2022, so this could be the spot he wakes up in tonight.
7 TJ BLAST – Similar tale to REAL LUCKY N. His recent form also doesn’t show a lot and he is 0-for-10 in 2023, but he finds a softer spot tonight. He had five wins last season, which included some success here at the Big M too.
8 PARTY BOY – Not a bad try from him three starts ago here at the Meadowlands and you can toss those last two lines from impossible spots. Another tough post tonight, but he’s found a lot of success in these Amateur races this meet.
9 GRATEFUL KISS – Made up good ground in the outer flow last time out and raced well to finish second in the end against similar. Hasn’t quite gotten it done as a favorite in the last two, but will look to take a step forward here.
10 HUNT YOU DOWN – He won in very impressive fashion from a tough Post 8 spot down at Freehold last week. He now returns to the Meadowlands with some confidence, but will need everything to go his way tonight here from Post 10.
DRIVER CHOICES: None
Selections: 1-8-7-9
Race 2:
1 WILL THE WIZARD A – He showed a lot more last week with the post and class relief compared to his first North American start. Moves back up in class tonight, but he does draw well again and this looks to be a realistic race for him.
2 MADELINES BLK JACK – He hasn’t been able to show the most in the recent form, but he does still have that upset victory against much tougher five starts ago in his form. Plus, he continues to get class relief in this one tonight.
3 CAPTAIN FANCY – Last three miles for him have been very solid as he has found friends at these type of levels since getting some class relief. He’s been knocking on the door lately and will have another chance to break through here.
4 ROCKIN THE ACES – He’s been facing tougher in some of his recent races, but was pretty solid two back against similar while finishing second. Not a terrible line last week considering the trip. Serious win contender in this one.
5 HEZA REAL DIAMOND – Last couple of lines here at the Meadowlands against similar back in November weren’t too bad, but he does look to have a few lengths to find on this bunch. Q was just okay in prep for his return tonight.
6 ADAM CROCKER A – Won four starts ago down at Freehold against easier and has been racing tougher between Yonkers and Philly since then. He found success here on the big track last year and returns to it in this one.
7 BOBCAT BAY – He’s been burning some money in recent starts, but he finally got his win last time out against much easier. He’s been competitive against these types before, so we’ll see if that win last week finally woke him up for now.
DRIVER CHOICES:
Andrew McCarthy 1 Over 6
David Miller 4 Over 5
Selections: 1-4-3-2
