By Dave Brower, Meadowlands Handicapper — Saturday, January 23 — Early Double Analysis
Race 1
1 BETTERLATETHNNEVER – One of eight class droppers in here, so I already surrender! Thought he was in a good spot here two back and he flattened. I guess I’m just wondering if the 12YO can still go fast enough on the mile track? Trainer: Old, class warhorse that’s been hampered with a foot issue. That’s now under control. In no-chance spot last at Yonkers. Super live tonight!
2 ROOTIN TOOTIN – Seems overdue to get a little lucky with something. Don’t like to see that break when forced up in class, but do like to see the drop back down. This is where he belongs, but it’s a salty group for this level. Tuf call.
3 OLLIE’S Z TAM – It’s been a while since Ollie won one of these, but if he’s ever going to do it, it could be in here. Has that versatile speed and Yannick usually puts him in play. I’m not on board, but wouldn’t talk you off. Your call?
4 SADIQ HANOVER – Here’s my choice in here, and he might even end up favored. I don’t like that part, but feel he’s sitting on a big one tonight. Hasn’t been this low in a while. Mark Mac knows him now. It’s time to take a swing.
5 SEEUINNASHIVILLE A – They were a bit more aggressive with him last week on the drop and that didn’t work out. Tonight, it’s even more class relief. Should be effective at this level, but may have to time that one move better.
6 WESTERN BEACHBOY – No love from the post gods lately. This is a little better, but he’s still a big longshot to me.
7 SWEET ROCK – I have guessed right a few times on this guy in the past and this is usually his kind of situation. The drop and pop? Been bouncing up and down the ladder lately. IF he can find some of that old speed.
8 LIKE CLOCKWORK – Really thought he was in good situation last week and Yannick gave him every chance. Came up a little short late. Moves to much tougher post now and I guess I have to hop off the bandwagon. May beat me.
9 BECHERS BROOK A – How much more can he plummet in class? Overdue for some big wakeup call and I guess it wouldn’t shock me, but I’ll let him beat me if he can. Wide open race. Stuck in bad post. Good luck if you like.
10 THE MOONSHADOW N – Seemed like the whole world bet on this guy last week and they did get the money! Full credit for that, but taking extremely low odds in spot like that will eventually make you broke. Steps up. Moves out.
DRIVER CHOICES:
Scott Zeron 1 over 10
Mark MacDonald 4 over 7
Top Contenders 4-2-7-5
Race 2
1 YOUR HONOR – Looks like he squandered a pretty good opportunity at Freehold last time. Transitions up to the mile now in hopes of winning for the first time. Probably not going to happen.
2 DILLINGER – Big money yearling buy did not pan out as a freshman. Maybe he just needed more time? Has two qualifiers to get ready for this, and obviously the second one was a bit better. Still not quite there yet. Pass.
3 MARVALOUS ONE – Hit the board with a fairly decent late kick in last. That’s his game. Best as a one move type that needs that right kind of trip. Drew an even better starting spot. Very usable as a live longshot with these.
4 BIG CITY BUD – Lightly-raced 5YO finds his way up from Delaware for barn that doesn’t come too often. They listed Dexter but didn’t get him. I expected that. It was still a sign of positive intent. Jason must think he’ll like the mile.
5 WATER SPORTS TEEN – Tough call here. The gaps between starts on this homebred worry me. Tells me he probably has a few “issues.” That qualifier was okay where he was pretty much on own. Let’s see if he’s ready. Not sure.
6 UNIQUE BEACH – Here’s another tough call! MIA for more than a month shipping down here from Canada. But, Nifty is usually very good at having them ready, even off that kind of missed time. Gelding obviously has talent. Watch out!
7 HESTHERIGHTSTUFF – Still getting the hang of this racing thing, and I don’t like to see those breaks. Pass.
8 TAIL HOOK – Both this one, and #10 come out of that My Pal Joe race, which was a much stronger field than this. But, they both appear to lack speed and get stuck outside tonight. He’s paced fast enough to win this. Must get into it.
9 QUAGMIRE BLUECHIP – I really like this free-legged guy! He’s come a LONG way and is now a very useful racehorse. Credit to the barn for working out the kinks. That was a super try last week. I like, even from the tougher post.
10 FULL VIEW – Tyler B put this fella in a perfect spot last week, but those top few were just too tough. Might need to get a little luckier from this post, but he’s already shocked us once. History can repeat itself sometimes.
DRIVER CHOICES:
Andy McCarthy 5 over 8 Simon Allard 9 over 1
Dexter Dunn 6 over 4
Top Contenders 9-6-5-4
