MEADOWS

Analysis for The Meadows
April 20, 2001

	Race #1
# 2 COOLER	This one drops in class and seems to have enough speed to be in the thick of it in the lane. He is 0-9 this year but meets weakest field to date.
# 3 SHE’S MY NIECE	Tried to wire the field two back but caught an closing biased surface. Last week saw this one race from mid pack to a even performance. She should be used on or near the lead to be effective.
# 7 DIAMONQUE MINDALE	Was my top pick last out and came into the fray a little short. She is usually dangerous at this level though current form leaves something to be desired.

	Race #2
# 1 RARE VINTAGE	Showed improvement last week when catch driver Doug Snyder took over the reins. Looks to be very live given the major player starts from the outside post.
# 9 LAINE’S ECHO	Raced very well on the front end in last week’s contest. Driver Greg Wright Jr. usually uses the same style once it is found to be effective. The outside post hurts though with the staggered starting gate, is not as bad as it once was with the regular gate.
# 4 BARB’S MELODY	Was sent out as the public’s choice two back and failed to menace. Last week saw this one make an uncharacteristic break and lose all shot at the major prize. This mare has some gate speed and should be able to race effectively in a hole.

	Race #3
# 6 COSMIC EXPRESS	Makes her third start of the year and is making her final tune up race before the stake season starts next week. Connections have this one tighter than a drum and I have every confidence in her talents in facing the older mares in this field.
# 2 AL DUSTY	Trainer Steve LaBlanc drops this one slightly in class tonight and gains inside post. She is as fast as most of these and driver Mike Wilder will have her in a position close to the early speed types.
# 1 MANNART PEACEMAKER	Makes second start since shipping down the pike from Northfield. She seemed to sulk a little in that race though I feel she is better than that race indicates. I assume her to be the sleeper in this race.
# 4 BELLE TRADITION	Has been looking good on her warm up miles in recent races and should have enough speed to be in close contact with this field through out the mile. She can be very effective if this race is hotly contested for the early lead.

	Race #4
# 3 CRYSTAL V W	Caught my eye two back in her win in which she was used twice. She looked to win her last in an easy way. I really do not know how fast she can go but she has more under the hood than past performance lines indicate. Follow this one till she finds a level where she can not compete.
# 1 WHITESVILLE CROWN	Closed willingly last out which was the first time in this class. She will take a lot of money and should be considered one of the ones to beat.
# 6 AFRICA N	Is a front end speed type that added lasix in last week’s race. The Meadows program has be amiss in recent weeks as they have been omitting the lasix symbol on their forms but do announce it at the track. I hope they rectify their problem as it does have an effect when handicapping a few days in advance for this sheet.

	Race #5
# 2 GLENCOVE HONEY	Makes second start over surface with the benefit of having the services of Dave Palone. This mare has the speed, post and hands to get the job done tonight.
# 7 BROWNEYEDEMILY	Raced last week from a stale date and used the race as a conditioning effort. Look for a more aggressive drive as this one is deadly when put on the engine.
# 6 ABERTROSS	Has been a consistent sort in recent weeks as she loves to be in the early mix and speed has been favoring the front end types.

	Race #6
# 6 RAIN DANCE KIM	Has been a shadow of her former self since she had to sit out a week after winning three in a row in this class. This classification is the most competitive of all races held each week and is often a nightmare to handicap. I feel she is on the road to her former ability and can offer odds of near 4/1 at post time.
# 1 RUTHLESS JEN	Her name says it all as she is very adept at stalking the leaders and has beaten them getting a ground saving trip and using the passing lane. She has enough acceleration if kept close to the early leaders.
# 7 BOBS ON THE ROAD	Benefited from a contested battle for the lead last week and is always one that is lurking in the wings. This season has seen this one cut out her own miles effectively. She gives this writer the most problems in deciding the trip this race will take.

	Race #7
# 2 CAM JET	Meets a strong field for this class as no less than 6 out of eight have faced better in their last start. I am confident that given her post she is best to benefit from the early pace. She is only five years old and has finished her recent races in the back of the field. She is not winded on her return to the paddock making me think that she has more than her lines show. It just could be they are setting this one up for a nice score.
# 4 FRITZIE CHE CHE	Returns home to the Meadows with the benefit of racing with lasix. She added that vitamin two races back. She has been competitive at this level and may show new signs of life.
# 7 ELECTRA MINDALE	Being a veteran campaigner at this oval has its advantages. She is more than able to race with these but having the outside 7 hole might force her to move too early in going the overland route.

	Race #8
# 5 PREAMBLE HANOVER	Has been showing good closing speed in recent weeks and now drops in class to a level where she looms large to score over these. The Goldberg stable is hot this week and should be considered to be armed and dangerous.
# 1 MY HARTS DESIRE	Gains the rail for the third straight week and should benefit with no controlling speed entered. She should be coming hard in the lane.
# 4 FOX VALLEY BLUSH	Raced well from a bad post in her most recent start. She was scratched sick in Tuesday’s contest but I think it was her bad post that forced their hand to wait for Friday to start her.

	Race #9
# 1 WESTERN WHISPER	Makes her first start of the season and meets a field where her stalking style of racing can be most effective. Her qualifier was good even though she tired in the lane. She lost to a very fast Keystone Robot who is not only a boy but one of the fast open pacers on the grounds.
# 3 SHY POCKET	Is a speedy sort and always a threat at this level. She has a ton of early speed though she broke from the outside post in last week’s contest. I really do not know why she broke but I feel it might of been that she does not like to be rated.
# 5 FOLLOW THE MONEY	Is one fast closing mare that is very effective at this level. Having Palone win at this level three races back should merit attention. She needs the front end to be contested as she does not have enough gate speed to work out a trip.

	Race #10
# 6 HERBAL ESSENCE	This one is the very reason for using the trotting hopples. She had a time keeping flat before that addition and did qualify her a few years back in 2:00 flat. She has been racing effectively over the Michigan surfaces of Hazel Park and Northville Downs. She is at her best when placed on the engine. This race has some speed types but she looks able to work out a pocket trip.
# 1 IRISH ASHLEY	Gains the rail in a race where post position will be crucial. She won two back in a perfect trip and is fast enough to race with these.
# 5 ARNEXCELL	Is a pure speed type that will be trying for the early lead. He is a 7 year old Arnies Exchange stallion and is very tough once he sees the finish line. He is well adept at racing in the hole if the need arises.

	Race #11
# 2 PLEASED TOMEETYOU	Drops down to the level of the claim and connections will be happy to win this and have the horse leave the barn. This one is very adept at racing near the front end types and using her position to come in striking distance in the stretch.
# 6 MEGAN MONROE	Is one nice closing mare than has me confused more times than not. She is a cheater in that she does not always try when asked to. If she wants to race tonight, she can win it all.
# 3 SHOW ME LOVE	She has been closing nicely in her recent starts when she stays flat. Her inside post and present company leaves her with a nice shot at the major prize. Her odds might not merit her play though I feel she is a must use on all exotics.

	Race #12
# 7 FOXY JAZZ	It appears as the stables have found a way to avoid the three and out rule. This one won twice in this class then finished second to my second pick. Tonight its her turn to win her second straight.
# 6 ANNE BONNY	Finished second to the top pick last week and also four races back. She looks to be very live in hitting the board though if the sequence is to continue, second place is what she will be after.
# 5 MINI MIRACLE	Makes her initial start of the 2001 season after a strong qualifying effort at Northfield. She won 9 times in 17 starts last season racing on the Ohio circuit. Others have shipped with nice lines only to fall short to the top two picks.

	Race #13
# 4 NIANGALE	Simply overpowered the competition in the final of the late closing series last month. She has not raced since but with the success of Pacific Pizzazz in wiring her field from the layoff, this one has a great chance to go forward. This one is eligible to the Adioo Volo and is using this race to get tight for the stake race next week.
# 6 BARBIE DOLL YANKEE	Ships over from the Big M with some nice lines on her card. She appears to be fast but something might be amiss as she has been racing for much more money than is offered in this race. I feel she has the ability but might be here a little short of stamina.
# 3 CAM’S SWEETEST	Has speed and 5 seconds from 12 starts this year. She is effective on an off track or the fast going. She is consistent enough to used as a key in the under part of the exotics.

	Race #14
# 9 SHANNON S	Was my top pick last out and raced entirely along the pylons to my dismay. She was driven into a blind switch and could not get fired up fast enough once she reached the passing lane. She will be forced by the post to come early in the overland route. Her outside post should not hurt her style but may help her in the odds department.
# 4 LUV YA CIGAR	Was hung the entire mile in last week’s race. She did manage to get a check in a race where 9 entrants started the race. She is the heir apparent to the top picks demise.
# 2 MAIN GATE WYNSHARP	Gains value post relief and has the closing speed to capitalize on her good luck at the draw. She is does not get the support of the public thus adding some value to the ticket.
# 1 LOOKATERGO	Makes her second start of the season with a drop in class and the rail post. Connections usually have trotters in their barn Owner Joe Urban is the one who owns, breeds and races all the Anastasia horses running in Ohio and here. I feel this one has some talent or Joe might of dumped her off at the Delaware sale. She should be high in odds and has even reason to improve off her first start.