By Edison Hatter, Meadowlands Handicapper — Saturday, April 1, 2023
Race 1:
1 DOUBLEAGENTMAN – He’s ended up wide around the final turn in each of his last two local starts against similar claimers, but he’s rallied well to finish second and fourth. Can be in the mix here with the right trip in the outer flow.
2 VAN DIESEL – Tough spot for him two back from Post 10 in the TM Series Final, but he raced well through the preliminary legs and backed it up with a solid third against similar claimers last week. Looks to have a big chance here.
3 GRATEFUL KISS – Longshot in his last several tries against TM and pricier claimer fields, but he did pull a 13-1 upset five starts ago here at the Meadowlands. Does get some class relief tonight and draws better than the last two.
4 CONCUR – Doesn’t show a whole lot in the recent form, including the last two tries against similar types here at the Meadowlands. Would need to make up several lengths on a few foes in this field to contend in this spot.
5 SOUTHWIND DREDGE – Won two in a row against similar four and five back, but hasn’t been able to show quite as much in the last two. Draws well again tonight and will look to work out a trip to be in the mix here.
6 FEHERTY – Returns from Dover Downs and moves up in claiming price. He’s been the favorite in four straight, but hasn’t quite been able to get the job done. Will look to make amends for the miles here three and four back.
7 ILLINI DUKE – Big win when seen here at the Meadowlands a few months ago, but hasn’t gotten too much going recently between Freehold and the Meadowlands. Did finish third last week, though, and will look to build on that mile.
8 FOX VALLEY CARLIN – Just missed four back against similar claimers, but hasn’t been able to get a lot going in his last three starts for new connections with a break and a couple tough trips. Will look to rebound in this spot tonight.
9 LACHIE MAGUIRE N – Just missed last week in a similar spot and has been in pretty solid form lately. He’ll make his third start for new connections off the claim tonight and will look to continue his current form.
DRIVER CHOICES: Tim Tetrick 1 Over 3, 6 David Miller 2 Over 4 Joe Bongiorno 9 Over 7
Selections: 2-5-1-9
Race 2:
1 STRETCH THE LINE – He hasn’t been able to show a lot in the recent form over at Yonkers as he moves down the class ladder. Shows a lot of breaks in the recent form, but hopefully the move to the big track will help him to stay flat.
2 SMILEANDSAYCHEESE – Tough spot last time out from an outside post down at Freehold, but the miles two and three back here against Amateur company at the Meadowlands were pretty solid. Can be in the mix in this one.
3 VASARI N – He’s found friends down at Pocono in the last two starts in the claiming series and will look to translate that form back to the big track tonight. He has had success over this track in this past, including a 1:52 mile last year.
4 ART SCAPING – He has a few upset wins against TM fields here at the Meadowlands this meet and has been in pretty solid form for a while now and has been getting checks. Draws well and can be in the mix again tonight with a trip.
5 IDEAL BEACH – Beaten just three lengths last time out while finishing fourth against a tougher field here at the Meadowlands. Won in 1:50.2 earlier this season here at the Big M and can be a contender in this field tonight.
6 EXOTIC SAND – The leaders flew to the half last time out and this one got a great trip from well off the pace to pull the 60-1 shocker. Finds a tougher field tonight, though, and will have to prove himself again in this spot.
7 ROCK LIGHTS – Scratched last week from a similar spot and wasn’t able to show a whole lot against similar when seen two weeks ago, although did deal with minor interference around the final turn. Still, seems to be up against it here.
DRIVER CHOICES: Tyler Miller 4 Over 2
Selections: 3-5-2-4
