By Edison Hatter, Meadowlands Handicapper — Saturday, April 15, 2023 — Early Double Analysis
Race 1
1 RAPTORS FLIGHT N He won well five starts ago here at the Meadowlands against easier TM company and has worked his way up the class ladder well. Hasn’t been the most consistent against these types, but can get a piece here.
2 CANTSTOPLYING He’s had two starts so far off the bench this year and hasn’t been able to show much in either as he’s had tough outside posts in both over at Yonkers. Gets a bit of class relief tonight and major post relief.
3 IMAGINARY LINE He has a win and a second in his last three starts off the bench and he was in sharp form last Summer, which culminated in a 1:49.2 win here at the Big M. Will look to step up on his return to the big track.
4 BLUE OCEAN He’s been racing against Amateur company down at Freehold in recent tries and has two wins in his last three. He returns to the big track where he was able to put together some okay miles earlier this meet.
5 BETTER THAN SOME Recent form has been fairly solid against claimers, but he remains on the search for his first win of the season. He finds a bit of a softer spot and draws well. Should get a good trip in this one if he’s good enough.
6 I’M BURLINGTON N Disappointed at even money last time out in his debut for the Cameron Capone barn off the claim. However, he ended up parked for most of the mile and will have every chance to rebound here with a better trip.
7 YER SO BAD There just isn’t a lot in his recent form that would allow for a strong case to be built for him tonight. He did win six times last season and was in solid form at times, but I’ll pass here and wait for a better spot for him.
8 LACHIE MAGUIRE N He’s been very solid in recent starts against claimers here at the Meadowlands, including in all four for the Justin Sodano barn off the claim. Finds a very realistic spot tonight and is a serious win contender in here.
9 LOUIE Made a break last time out and wasn’t able to get the trip to work two back against tougher TM foes. He did win three starts ago against similar and he’ll look to repeat that mile tonight on the class drop in start 5 for Ron Burke.
10 CHUCKY HANOVER Worked early two back and had to settle for second here at the Meadowlands as the 3-5 favorite. That was against a much easier field than this, however, and he now has Post 10 to work from tonight.
Top Contenders: 8-3-9-1
Driver Choices: Andrew McCarthy 6 Over 1 | Dexter Dunn 9 Over 2, 5 | David Miller 7 Over 4
Race 2
1 COLLECTOR S The homebred has had four qualifiers so far with no pari-mutuel starts. He’s made a few breaks in those qualifiers and hasn’t shown the most talent yet. I’ll pass and watch his career debut in this one tonight.
2 CAN’T STOP WILL Was able to finish second two starts ago in a short Leg 1 field that was marred by several breakers. He wasn’t able to offer a lot last week late and had to settle for a well-beaten fourth place finish.
3 FLAMING ROADS Was in contention when he made a break two starts ago in the first leg of this series, but was able to stay flat last week and put together an okay try to finish third. He remains a lightly raced 0-for-5 maiden.
4 PRETTY DAME SPEEDY He took a lot of support two back in the first leg of this Series and likely would have last week too if leg two wasn’t a non-betting race. However, he’s broken in both of those races. Will look to rebound here.
5 KINGPIN HANOVER He was one of the ones that made a break two starts ago in the first leg of the Series, but he was able to stay flat last week and finished second in the end despite being in the outer flow for a while.
6 TALKIN’ BOUT YOU Won by 11 lengths two back as a result of all the breakers, but backed it up with a front-end score last week by three lengths. He’s now 2-for-2 so far this year and will look to keep it rolling in this one.
Top Contenders: 4-6-5-3
Driver Choices: None
