By Edison Hatter, Meadowlands Handicapper — Friday, March 24, 2023 —
Race 1:
1 STOLEN ART – Pulled a 16-1 upset against GSY foes four starts ago, but doesn’t show a whole lot in the recent form otherwise. Lots of tough posts in recent tries, but has drawn the rail twice in a row and couldn’t show a lot last week.
2 HUNTS POINT – Tough trip when taking back last time out up at Monticello and he broke two back. However, the form before that looked to be pretty solid. I’ll take a chance with him here if he can translate his game to the big track.
3 ALWAYS A SHARK – He hasn’t been seen since September now when he was at the Great Frederick Fair down in Maryland and has changed barns in the meantime. Form was okay late last season, but a big class test here tonight.
4 SIGHTS ON YOU – Sat the pocket early against similar last time out and just wasn’t able to offer a whole lot in the back half of the mile. Will look to take a step forward tonight in his third start over this track for the new connections.
5 TAKEITTOTHEFACE – He’s been getting some checks against GSY foes lately and did win five times last season, including in 1:54.2 over this track. Draws better tonight than the Post 8 and 10 in his last three tries.
6 SETONCRUISECONTROL – Just not a whole lot going for him in the recent form, including the last two over this Meadowlands track. Did win five of 17 starts in 2022, but I want to see a bit more in his form before I support here.
7 VALIANT IVY – Not a whole lot going for this one in the recent Monticello form as he remains 0-for-9 on the season. Does show a 1:50.4 mile at Dover last season, but I’ll take a pass and watch one from him here in this form cycle.
8 BRUCE’S MAGIC – Tried to leave two and three back, but the trip didn’t work out in those two. Took back last time out and couldn’t get involved in the outer flow. Likely to be a big price here, but could catch a piece with the right trip.
9 SNOOPY SNOOP – Recent form has been pretty solid for him up at Monticello and he won eight times last season. Has to work out a trip from this post, but he can be in the mix here if he translates his form to the big track tonight.
10 MV OK PALACIO BR – Has some tough trips in the recent form lines, but has been competitive and in the mix against these types in recent tries. Post 10 will provide a pretty significant challenge for him here tonight, however.
DRIVER CHOICES: None
Selections: 2-5-9-8
Race 2:
1 ROLL WITH JR – Finished third at a big number here three back and the last two miles haven’t been all that bad. The key here is the claimers he’s been facing recently are much tougher than this group. Big chance tonight with a trip.
2 ANDRES HANOVER – Everyone in this field is taking a drop in class on paper, but this one is also getting some post relief after that last line. Has been getting checks in the last several, but hasn’t really been threatening for a win.
3 SPORTS ADVISOR – Tough first over trip last time out and couldn’t get involved from off the pace two back. However, he was a big longshot in the last two and would seem to need a big step up here to contend in this spot.
4 BOBCAT BAY – He has plummeted down the class ladder in the last few and left from Post 9 last time out against tougher. Led for a while before finishing fourth in the end. Draws well and will look to build off that mile tonight.
5 BETTOR BE OSCAR A – Like ROLL WITH JR, he has been facing pricy claimers here at the Meadowlands lately. Hasn’t raced quite as well as the former, but the class relief should surely help him out in this spot tonight. Draws well too.
6 MEMPHISTENNESSEE N – Last line looks okay from over at Yonkers as he continues his plummet down the class ladder. Will look to make amends for the most recent Big M line when he couldn’t get involved against tougher.
7 REVOLVER N – Just finished third last time out against tougher and he has had success at the Meadowlands this meet, including his lifetime best 1:50.1 mile just a few months ago. Has had a month off now, but can be in the mix here.
8 EXOTIC SAND – Lot of tough trips for this one over at Yonkers lately and he has drawn Post 7 or 8 in the last four. Draws the outside post here tonight and would look to need to improve a fair bit to contend in this one tonight.
DRIVER CHOICES: None
Selections: 1-7-4-5
