By Edison Hatter, Meadowlands Handicapper — Friday, April 7, 2023 — Meadowlands Early Double
Race 1:
1 PAN STREET USA – He hasn’t been able to get a lot going in the last three starts down at Freehold off the bench against TM groups. Won five of twenty starts last season, but seems to be up against it tonight form-wise.
2 MV OK PALACIO – He was knocking on the door against Amateur foes earlier this meet, but he hasn’t been able to get a whole lot going in the last few from some tough posts and with tough trips. Will look to rebound here from this draw.
3 SHANGHAI BOBBY – He did close some ground in the back half of the mile last time out against similar from Post 10, but overall hasn’t shown a whole lot in the recent form. Does get post relief, but tough to build a strong case here.
4 SUNSHINE’S FINEST – Took 5-1 support last time out from an outside post, but he wasn’t able to show a whole lot when forced to take back early. Does draw better tonight, but doesn’t seem to have a lot of gate speed anyway.
5 TAKEITTOTHEFACE – He was a bit too far off the pace last time out, but he did close ground late when kicking in :28.3 and finishing third in the end. Draws well again tonight and will look to build on last week’s mile in this spot.
6 BEACHY BOY HILL – Trip didn’t work last time out as he ended up parked the mile and things didn’t work out two back when he ended up too close to a hot pace. Did win three starts ago, though, and has a chance here with a trip.
7 MASTER CONRAD – Even try in the last two against similar here at the Meadowlands. Shows a solid line four back as part of the TM Series, but just not a whole lot going in the recent form. Has one win in the past two seasons.
8 JONAH – He’s picked up a few checks against claimers down at Pocono in his last few starts and will be making his fourth start off the bench tonight on the big track. Will be making his fourth start tonight for new connections.
9 PINEBUSHDRAGONROLL – Made a break late in the mile last time out against similar, but didn’t particularly appear to be in the mix at the time on the ship in from Monticello. Tough spot tonight from an outside post in this one.
10 PRAIRIE DUTCHESS – She was second when last seen in November against a much easier group up at Vernon Downs. However, she did have three wins last season and the Lee Morris barn has had Amateur race success in the past.
DRIVER CHOICES:
Yogi Sheridan 3 Over 1
Selections: 6-5-2-10
Race 2:
1 BANK SEA – Worked a bit early in the mile, but was able to get to the top eventually last week in the first leg of this Series. Tired a bit in the last quarter and had to settle for third behind JJ FLYNN and LETSGOTOBRAZIL A.
2 BRUSHING UP – He shows very sharp lines two and three back on his way up the class ladder upon joining the Izzy Estrada barn. Tried it off the pace last week in leg one from an outside post. Will look to be closer early tonight.
3 ALWAYS B BILLY – Recent form has been fairly solid for him here at the Meadowlands against TM foes, but he was beaten nearly three lengths last week by OAKWOOD VEGAS IR. He’ll be looking to turn the tables on him in this one.
4 VASARI N – Finished third last week in a leg of the tougher version of this TM Series last week. Gets a drop in class tonight and draws well off last week’s try. Likely to be one of several in this mix in this group tonight.
5 LETSGOTOBRAZIL A – Last two races for him against similar TM foes, including in leg one of the series last week, have been solid. Has a chance here, but does have a few lengths to find on JJ FLYNN to flip the script in this one tonight.
6 OAKWOOD VEGAS IR – Something clearly went amiss in the Yonkers line three back where he finished distanced, but he’s won the last two against similar here at the Big M. He’ll look to keep his momentum going tonight in leg two.
7 JJ FLYNN – Got a nice acclimating mile over the track two starts ago and picked up an impressive win last week in the first leg despite a tough first over grind. Has this outside post to work from, but will look to go 2-for-2 in this Series.
DRIVER CHOICES:
Yannick Gingras 6 Over 4
Selections: 6-5-7-2
