By Edison Hatter, Meadowlands Handicapper — Saturday, March 25, 2023 —
Race 1:
1 CONCUR – He did win off the layoff here at the Meadowlands earlier this meet, but he hasn’t been able to get a lot going in the last several miles, including last week against similar. Would need to take a step forward to contend here.
2 SOUTHWIND DREDGE – Ended up being fanned extremely wide around the final turn and just didn’t have the same closing kick he’s had in previous starts. Has been solid against these types lately and will look to rebound tonight.
3 ALI – He hasn’t been seen a lot lately with just 14 starts in the last two seasons and there’s been some gaps between his races. Was facing tougher off the bench last time out down at Pocono, but seemed to come up short in that one.
4 BET THE LIMIT – Just missed three back against these type of claimers, but hasn’t been able to get too much going in the last two against TM groups. Draws well and will look to get himself in the mix again tonight with a trip.
5 DOUBLEAGENTMAN – Took a lot of support as the 3-2 favorite last week on the ship in from Dover. Finished a pretty solid second and continued his current sharp form from Delaware. Should have every chance to be in the mix here.
6 BANK SEA – Finished a well-beaten third two back in the second leg of the TM Series, but doesn’t show a whole in the recent form otherwise. Needs to step up, but did have six wins last season, which included a 1:50.2 mile here.
7 LACHIE MAGUIRE N – Has a pair of checks in his last two starts against similar here at the Meadowlands and raced pretty well last week from Post 9 fresh off the claim. Will look to build on last week’s mile with a trip in this one.
8 I’M BURLINGTON N – Big four length win last week against similar and he was parked for a long from Post 10 before pouring it on late. Last three have all been huge efforts from tough posts. Finally draws just a bit better tonight.
9 GOTAFOOLISHDESIRE – Longshot in the last two against similar and hasn’t been able to show a lot in those miles while parked for a whole in both from outside posts. Finds himself in a very similar spot here. Tough to build a case.
DRIVER CHOICES: David Miller 1 Over 4, 6
Selections: 8-2-4-5
Race 2:
1 THIRD PILLAR – He’s been knocking on the door against similar in his last several starts, but has raced very well considering he’s been the second choice behind a heavy favorite in nearly every start. This looks to be his time to shine.
2 BEACH VIBES – Good try two back to finish third against similar here at the Meadowlands, but wasn’t able to get involved last time out in the outer flow at a huge number. Will look to rebound in this one tonight. I’ll use underneath.
3 GAZOO – He’s had just the two lifetime starts in the past few weeks and he showed a nice little improvement last week to finish fourth while beaten just four lengths. Has a realistic chance if he can take another step forward in this one.
4 BARRIER – Big longshot in the last several tries against similar and just hasn’t been able to show a whole lot in those races. Tough to build too strong of a case for the 0-for-23 maiden in this spot tonight.
5 BULLVILLE STEPHANO – Shipped here to the big track last week from Pocono and raced evenly while not showing a lot in his second start off the bench. Raced well towards the end of last year and will look to get back to that form here.
6 HARRY HANOVER – He picked up his first career win four starts ago down at Philly last July, but hasn’t been able to get much going since, including last week down at Freehold off the layoff. Will look to step up second off the bench.
7 A DEAL’S A DEAL – Has continued to get the checks against these types in recent starts and was knocking on the door earlier this meet against similar. Has to work out a trip from the outside post tonight, but can be in the mix here.
8 BESTONEYET HANOVER – Massive longshot in the last two here at the Meadowlands against similar, but he did leave last time out and was close throughout while finishing third. Will look to back that mile up with a solid one this week.
DRIVER CHOICES: None
Selections: 1-8-3-2
