Analysis for The Meadows
April 28, 2001


 

Race #1
# 6 FOXY JAZZ The top two picks have exchanged first and second place finishes with each and in the result, neither had to take the mandatory week off due to the “Win 3 Races and Your Out Rule”. I feel that it is this one’s turn to get her picture taken. The trip is yet to be seen as both picks can race on the engine and close from the rear.
# 5 ANNE BONNY Gets the second call but it is very well possible to win this week and get second next week to avoid the “3 & Out Rule”. But it is my contention that many will know to bet against this one next out if she wins tonight. So for the element of surprise, one should finish second this time around. At least that is the logic. Wouldn’t it be nice to get rid of that rule so that we would finally know which of these two mares is really the best? At least that are my thoughts on this matter.
# 3 AFRICA N Has awakened with the addition of lasix. She might be almost as fast as the top two on paper but has yet to prove herself in this classification. Please note that on 4-13, she started with lasix but the notation was missing in that day’s program. I believe three horses that day had the “L” omitted from their program names. It was not the only day this year that has happened. Charting is another problem at the Meadows but I hate to get started on another subject at this present time.


 

Race #2
# 1 KARENS’NOBLE TIGER Has been a very consistent sort the last few weeks and seems to do best when drawing inside post positions. He has the rail and current form in his favor. Add the fact that there is no controlling speed entered.
# 5 STRANGE ENCOUNTER Got up for the win as my third pick last out. He received great post and got free just in time to make his late charge. He is great shape and posses the biggest threat to the top pick.
# 7 FREEHOLD HANOVER Raced a little too conservatively on his last race which was a serious drop in class. This one can race best on the engine against this class but I see another come from behind trip in this one’s future.


 

Race #3
# 4 OLE BULLET Draws well for this encounter. Current races indicate fine form and was claimed last out by the Goldberg barn. He should be able to handle the raise in class provided Tyler gets the correct instructions from trainer Mark Goldberg. Remember this is a Superfecta race.
# 6 CAM’S BLACK MAGIC Exits last race with the fastest last quarter time of all the entrants to this race. He moves up in class but his late speed suits this field like a glove. His odds will merit our risk.
# 7 SATINSTANCE Has been on a roll of late winning three in a row since the claim. Notice that he doubled his claiming price for last week’s race. I think he found his highest level and do not see him holding up much longer. He put in a tough one last week and may show signs of fatigue. If not this week, may be next time out.
# 9 SEACAM Brian Zendt gets along with this one so well that I could not ignore them. He came from the clouds last out and almost got up for the win at huge odds. I feel the movement to this higher level might hurt his chances for the top spot but I have no second doubts using him on my superfecta ticket.


 

Race #4
# 5 SILVERLINED POCKET Last week’s effort was the best performance of the year by any horse on this racing surface. He forced the early issue by leaving then eventually sat back in the three hole. It appeared that the second pick was strong past the three quarters but when this one tipped, you knew he would go flying by. He paced the fastest mile so far this year and tied the track record for aged pacing geldings. He looks to only get stronger after experiencing the taste of victory.
# 4 SHARKY SPUR The Shark was hung to the quarter but made the lead where all the others took a seat until the top pick made his move. He had no excuses for last week’s race. He was just out paced in the final quarter. Tonight’s battle shapes up for a good one. I see Richard Stillings try to take a seat and then use his patented quarter pole moves to the front. It might make this one a little more live in the lane for that late charge from Silverlinedpocket.
# 6 MARLOW HANOVER Owner Dino LaCastro has to be steaming at the draw for post. I , and probably Dino, feel that this one should of been assigned the 4 hole with the top two picks drawing for outside posts. Look for this one to be on the engine. He races best in the pocket.


 

Race #5
#2 JUNKET Is on a roll of four wins with 5 wins out of 6 starts this year. He is one monster and I have to change my thoughts on him. I once said his top level of claiming was to be the $12,500 level. I have to say that he may not have a top level in claiming as if he improves any more, we may see this one try the open ranks. Pretty big praise for a 10 year old that does part time stallion duties.
# 6 PRIMETIME HANOVER Robert Belcher sends down a nice looking animal to the Meadows by way of the Turnpike from Northfield Park. He is a fast one but may be a little tired once he makes the lead. There is some quick starter that drew inside of him. He looks to be the public stick at odds near 9/5.
# 5 BROADWAY JOKER Is probably the best of the inside speed types that should gain a pocket trip to the second pick. He moves up in class after giving Satinstance all he wanted in last week’s race.


 

Race #6
# 7 ST GEORGE ISLAND Makes first start of the season in this Pennsylvania stake action for three year old colt pacers. The lineup this year looks to be the weakest in years. I hope this is not an indication of the Adios eligible horses from the keystone state. This one has two qualifiers sandwiched around a judges scratch at the Big M. This one raced well here as a two year old winning a sires stake in early September. He retains that same driver in Dave Palone. Looks to be the public stick as he has 3 wins from 5 lifetime starts, best in this field.
# 5 KEYSTONE REGGIE Is a speedy sort that has been racing cross state at Pocono Downs. His forte is gate speed and should be in great position in the stretch. His three quarter time in his most recent race was timed in 1:26 flat. This one is great shape and that speed should hold up when facing competition of the same age.
# 2 MIGHTY ABILITY Hails from the same connections that developed Noble Ability as a youngster. He looks to have all the right tools but his closing style of racing may leave him to far back to have a good shot at the top money.


 

Race #7
# 4 KEYSTONE REDWOOD Moves up following one superior effort. To even think of pulling on Sea Gull Hershey was gutsy but to come his last half in 55:1 and only lose a length in the process was amazing. He gets the Long Shot of the Day call. Please note that though they hit the board at a decent rate, I finally had my long shot win a race. Cleveland won on Thursday’s first race as my long shot call and paid just short of $50 to win.
# 8 KEYSTONE ROBOT Exits two qualifiers which were nothing but training miles. I feel this one is training for something in a few weeks but do not know what or where. Look for this one to try for the lead and go as far as he can in order to build up stamina. He might hold up or just use it as training mile.
# 3 J T WESTERN Ships in from cross state to find himself in pretty tough company. Roger Hammer is no stranger to this surface or driver colony. Look for him to leave alertly and sit the pocket with the second pick. He might be considered a sleeper in here.


 

Race #8
# 2 KING’S NEST This one is simply a speedy sort and by his fast lines at Yonker’s Raceway, looks to handle the tight turns with ease. I have seen 1:52 pacers from the Big M and fail to make 1:59 on the Yonker’s oval. This one has a ton of speed and stamina is not in question.
# 3 INMATE Has two place finishes in races where he was not driven hard. He ran into a fast one in Moves in his first start and last week’s race saw him hang from the eight hole, find a hole past the quarter, then come out and move closing the second half. He failed to score but was not under much urging. This is his biggest test to date.
# 1 JONESVILLE Draws rail and gains Palone. This one hails from the Chris Ryder operation who has a history of sending live ones to race in stake action at this oval. I feel that the Canadian invader, Chilito Hanover # 6, might have a hard time getting over this smaller oval as he has raced at Mohawk and Woodbine. That one fits the profile as a suspect favorite and I would betting against him.


 

Race #9
# 8 DANZIG Is another invader from Yonkers and has a very credible line last out. That mile equates to about 1:57 and a piece over this surface. Looks to gain the public’s trust as Roger Huston has made this one the 5/2 morning line favorite. Could it be that Roger has finally awakened? Or maybe someone else did the line? In any case, whoever made this one the chalk, should be congratulated. Though, as a gambler, it diminishes his value.
# 3 SPLIT FIVE HUNDRED Put in a nice closing effort last week and might be poised for a huge effort this go round. Rodney Bolon is not at all aggressive in his style of racing unless he is the tons the best. Look for a ground saving trip from this one.
# 4 PARADISE SPOTLITE Was making improvement during the late closing series to the point of his gaining the runner’s up spot in the final. He took some time off and then returned with a training mile in his first race back. He then went to work in last week’s contest and left from the 9 hole. Bill Fahy got everything out of this one and cashed in at 9/1 odds. He looks to be very live in the exotics. I would recommend this one as key to the under part of the trifecta tickets.


 

Race #10
# 6 TIGER’S BIG BOY Being sharp as a razor at this juncture is a double edged sword. Roger Hammer has this one primed as he has won 3 out of 5 with 1 second and 2 third so far this year. He loves to be on the engine and with only two others to beat out the gate, looks to draw off on the front end. Be careful as he looks too good to be true. If there is someone who might benefit from this trip, look unto the second pick.
# 1 TIAJUANA SPUR Is making only his second start of the year and may be better than his lines indicate. This one has deceptive speed and with his drawing the rail becomes the sleeper in this race. Richard Stillings has had a good week so far and might be in the right frame of mind to be considered a “giant killer”.
# 7 DRAFT CHOICE Ships in from Canada and shows he can negotiate the tight turns. He seems fast enough for these and has won 4 times from 10 starts while banking $16,000. Current field offers a stern test but driver Bill Fahy will have this one in gear from the get go and take a forward racing position.


 

Race #11
# 3 MAJESTIC SPUR Gets claimed once again by the Bendis barn and the usual owners. They have had some success with this one, especially when he is showing a few breaks on his past performance lines. He is moving up in class which indicates that this one is training well and Randy Bendis is a master at classification of his stable. He is to be considered armed and dangerous.
# 8 TOP REWARD Starts second time with lasix and seemed to race well in his first start at Northfield since shipping there from Dover Delaware. He has speed and may offer some value as he has not won a race this season. Pleas note that he did win last year at Dover in 1:54 flat which equates to about 1:54:3 here.
# 5 C-G MAYNARD I was glad to see the leg irons were off of this horse last week as Greg Wright Jr. gave this one a huge chance at the win. I had picked this one second to Junket and released an exacta cold that paid over $80 for that race. I still think this one can go faster but may need a different driver who might be more aggressive than Greg Jr.


 

Race #12
# 9 FOX VALLEY BLUSH Has the outside post, being racing well enough and matches up nicely against this field. Bill Fahy takes it personally every time he is driving a trotter and his odds are over 10/1. This one has not won so far this year but with his early speed should handle the outside post. Please note that this mare did race many times in the open-handicap last year.
# 2 CC SPIRIT Exits a strong effort on a closing biased track on 4-17 in a qualifying race. Looks to be able to find a seat right behind the top pick and is the heir apparent to the top pick’s demise.
# 6 PERFECT C Has some back class and would of crushed these a few years ago. She is a step or two slower but her gait is good. Stamina has been her ally as she competed in a few of those Classic distance races a couple years back.


 

Race #13
# 7 JACKIE’S CAMMIE Makes first start of the year and hails from the Dan Altmeyer operation. She looks to be short though others from those connections did well at first asking with similar lines. She looks to be a sleeper of sorts. She is facing older and might not get as much attention at the windows.
# 2 GOLDEN TIP Gets Doug Snyder back in the bike as Wilder selects to drive for his future father in law (trainer of the top pick). This 4 year old mare has some speed and given inside post, should be in the right place and at the right time.
# 8 LISTEN FOR LARSON Might be the fastest of all of these but is used up by the time she gains the lead and is past by others in the lane. I do like the fact of her heading her rivals in the stretch though losing the race after that happens concerns her stamina. Notice that she is now racing 1st time with lasix. Stamina might not be an issue this time around.


 

Race #14
# 4 TIME WILL TELL Drops several classes to meet this field. He is one nice trotter that has needed a perfect trip to win the preferred class but now is meeting lesser. Looks to have an easy time and at odds on.
# 3 OAKLEA ELGIN Has gained some speed this season but more importantly, has held position better than he has in a while. Looks to use that early speed to gain a forward position and be ready for the lane.
# 1 DU VALLON CAR Did not race as well as I expected when he gained a perfect trip in last week’s race. He went first over past the 3/4 and failed to fire. I will count it as a tightener and hope for the best this week. When right, this one crushes these. He is not at his best presently but I still respect him enough to have a few bucks on his nose as a back up play.


 

Race #15
# 2 BOB KING COTTON Was my top pick last out and when he made that 1st over move before the half and opened up on the field. His third quarter went in a blazing 27:1 but alas, he over paced himself and made a break. He is a monster and Brian should rein in some of that speed for the latter stages of this race. The morning line odds of 12/1 are way out of line indicating that Roger might of set these lines.
# 1 OVER TAXED Put in one huge move that left this one a little leg weary two races back. Last week saw this one move to the front and never look back. He looks to be very live at hitting the board. He is not as fast as the top pick but might be a less risky wager as he seems to never make breaks.
# 5 HURRICANE SAM Has been very close at the wire in recent starts and looks to be in fine shape. He used to put in big efforts every other week but with the advent of spring, seems to be able to be raced hard each week. He is in top shape and should be used on all exotics.
BEARCAT HANOVER Is another one who is racing at his best in recent weeks. I feel his odds will be too low and his post too much to overcome to be rated higher. I do not think he will try to come from behind and foresee his leaving for position. He better find a seat early or risk being parked the entire mile.