Meadowlands Picks, Friday, Feb. 4

[Teach]

Race One:

#4 Village Rhythm, a well-bred Life Sign, Rocknroll Hanover 4-year-old gelding comes south for a visit after campaigning north of the border. The horse switches from Paul Macdonell (I remember when he drove at Foxboro Raceway) to "The Bionic Man," Tim Tetrick. Last time, the horse could not find a tuck from the outside ten-hole (it's the long straight at Woodbine, a la Vernon Downs). That compromised any chance he might have had; however, prior to that, he won from the outside. He now draws a decent mid-pack starting slot. The question remains: Is he ready (the horse has been off about a month)? If he's reasonably fit, the horse should be a factor here. Speaking of outside posts, "Buckeye" will need to find a tuck with the #10 Sunshine Superman. If Dave Miller can put this horse in the middle of the field as they push down the backstretch toward the quarter-pole, he may have enough left to unleash a closing burst. #6 Metropole is the mystery. The colt has been installed as the 3-1 ML favorite. Does he deserve it? The horse's qualifiers were nothing to write home about. He draws the six-hole not the one-slot (from where he finished 2nd a nose in a recent qualifier). Does somebody know something I don't. Can "The Hall-of-Famer" work his magic (this could be a big night for him)? Finally, #1 Black Ace Hanover with "The Orange Crush," Andy Miller, will benefit from the pylons. He's a nicely-bred Western Hanover, Cam's Card Shark gelding.

[Teach]

Race Two:

#3 Freddy Day Hanover gets the services of Dave Miller. The horse performed very well in the Clyde Hirt Series. He was leading in the finals at the top of the stretch but faded to fourth. He appears to be the horse to beat here. #1 Ise The By Boy draws "the pegs" after finished sixth (he went off the favorite) in his last. "Rockin'" Ronnie Pierce retains the drive. This horse is in desperate need of a wake-up call. He may get it here. What impresses me is his 1:54.1 on London's (Canada) half-mile oval. If the horse can re-capture that form, he'll be a factor here. #2 Thunder's Fury has John Campbell in the bike. The horse did finish off the board in his last in The Complex Series; yet, his time of 1:50.2 was most impressive. This Direct Scooter-bred horse merits consideration. Finally, #6 PandaPocket with Brian Sears was leading in the lane in his last only to finish second by a nose. Any repeat of that kind of effort puts him in the mix in this race.

[Teach]

Race Three:

#7 Meirs Hanover ran a monster race last week in the Clyde Hirt final. In that one, he grabbed the lead from the eigh-hole, got shuffled back to third, but came on in the stretch for the win. He's my pick in the first leg of the Exit 16W Series. #6 Summer Camp with Dave Miller had the unenviable task of gunning for the lead from the outside ten-post in the Clyde Hirt final. The horse briefly grabbed the lead in that one, only to fade to fifth. This time, from a better post, it may be a whole different story. #4 Sniper Seelster finished second in the Clyde Hirt final. He retains the services of the "Hall-Of-Famer," John Campbell. The horse is very much a factor here. Finally, #1 Diablo Seelster was also in the Clyde Hirt final (he finished off the board). The horse now gets Tim Tetrick in the bike. This should help. The horse, on his best, is capable of completing a gimmick.

[Teach]

Race Four:

In the this wide-open trot, I'm going for some value with #5 One Man Show S with Brian Sears. The horse has hit the board in three of his last four. He narrowly missed last time at Yonkers. He should be a factor in his current good form. #3 Self Professed fits nicely in this company. "The Green Hornet," Yannick Gingras, helps. The horse has won two of his last four (he finished second in his most recent race). #7 Sauce Two K with John Campbell has been most competitive in this company. He's hit the board in seven of his last nine tries. Another horse that figures to be competitive here is #9 Aachoo with Brandon Simpson. The horse won from the eight-hole (Baci d'Morte) at Yonkers last time. If Simpson fires out with this horse, he could surprise. Finally, #8 Soapy Sap might just pick up the pieces in a superfecta. He showed a closing kick in his last. Andy Miller's in the bike.

[Not4Love]

Nice call in the 4th. I respect the work that you do and wondered if you could give an opinion on what happened in the 1st race. It seems like you have been at this game for quite a while. How do you explain the winner of that race. thanks

[Teach]

Race Five:

#3 Ideal Newton gets Tim Tetrick. This horse had a very good qualifier. The horse did extremely well in the I-95 Series at Chester. His recent qualifier would give the appearance that this horse is ready to resume his winning ways. #4 Red Star Hottie did well in the Mares Inv. Series at "The Big M" (finished second in her last). She looks like a horse that should contend here under the guidance of Brian Sears. #6 Cuz She Can won her last in The Mares Inv. Series. This Abercrombie-bred mare went off the fave, last time. Finally, #5 Shacked Up appeared most recently in a fillies and mares open at Dover Downs. She turned in excellent times; she'll need to be reckoned with. May well be "on the engine."

[Teach]

No Explanation. The horse is extremely well bred. Hadn't shown much. They "hide" him well.

[Not4Love]

Hey thanks!! That helps. I was just looking at the trainer and the huge LTB. He is 3yr and I will look forward to watching how this horse runs next week. Thanks again.

[Teach]

Race Six:

#1 In Focus won his last in slightly weaker company. The rail should help. So should Ron Pierce. He's certainly capable of repeating. #3 Misterizi ships in from Woodbine. The horse has been away from the races for awhile. Yet, if he's reasonably ready, he should contend. Hit the board in five of last six. #4 Celebrity Hercules has hit the board in all five of his recent starts (one was a qualifier). In his current sharp form, he can be part of an exotic. #6 Don't Know Chip won his last. In fact, he's won three of his last four (two qualifiers). The horse retains the services of "The Bionic Man."

[Not4Love]

Any opinion on the drive by Pierce ( iN Focus). I sure don't get it.

[Teach]

Race Seven:

#5 Nights Kreeation won her last in this company. No reason why she can't repeat. Has been lightly raced over past couple years; should be fresh. #8 Southwind Swallow with Brian Sears should be closing. A speedy pace up front would greatly enhance this mare's chances. #4 Ubetterthink Think has faced tougher competition in recent efforts. She's had little to show for those efforts. Yet, she's now back in with the kind she can compete with. Merits consideration. Yannick Gingras's a plus. #1 Semjac Legacy won her last against softer. She may end up with a comfortable mid-pack trip that would allow her close in the stretch. Finally, #3 Princess McCardle N is "the sleeper" here. This New Zealand-bred missed her last start; however, if she's reasonably ready, she can pick up the pieces in a superfecta.

[Teach]

Race Eight:

#8 Native Doll ran an excellent race in her last. Although she finished fourth (a length off the winner), Andy Miller did a very good job of getting this horse a mid-pack tuck. She was shuffled back to seventh in that race; yet, the horse came on strongly in the stretch. Any repeat of that effort and she's a contender. #5 Leanback Coco also ran an excellent race (the one Native Doll finished fourth) in her last finishing sixth from the outside ten-hole. The horse now moves further inside an should be a factor. #3 Arbeedo defeated weaker in her last. She is stepping up; yet, the horse could contend for a minor award. Finally, #2 Shayna Baby also came out of the Semjac Legacy race; the horse finished out of the money. However prior to that this horse won two in a row.

[Teach]

Race Nine:

4 Margarita Mary with John Campbell can win this. This lightly-raced SJ's Photo mare won her last against slightly weaker. Speaking of slightly, #5 Slightly Tipsy looks like a factor with these. She finished second in this company last time. Any slight improvement and she'll contend at the wire. #1 Super Discipline won her last against somewhat weaker. The horse draws the rail and retains the services of Tim Tetrick. #6 JustTheRightTouch has hit the board in eight of his last nine (one was a a qualifier); six of those were wins. Brian Sears cannot be ignored. Finally, #9 Willy Count performed very well in the SuperBowl Series; this horse, despite the post, should not be overlooked.

[Teach]

Race Ten:

#6 LaughAndBeHappy looks like the "best bet" of the night; albeit at very low odds. The horse has been razor sharp and should handle this "Cape And Cutter" field. Underneath: #7 Omen Hanover has been campaigning in Delaware. The horse looks like he'll be closing in the stretch. Tim Tetrick's a plus. #3 Go On BB gets a big driver switch to Yannick Gingras. This is another horse that's been campaigning in Delaware. The horse has hit the board in seven of her last ten tries. Finally, #1 JasperThat A won her last in open fillies and mares company at Yonkers. The horse has been very sharp and merits consideration in your gimmicks.,

[Teach]

Race Eleven:

#8 Odds on Riesling with Andy Miller won his last from the eight hole; he should be able to repeat. Underneath: #2 Town Gigolo finds a decent post after competing in tough stakes competition. The horse should find this company more to his liking. Tim Tetrick in the bike's a plus. #1 Upland Hanover draws the pylons. That along with Ron Pierce should allow this horse to be most competitive in this field. #5 Buy Art could surprise; the horse faced tough competition in the New York State Sire Series at Yonkers.

[Teach]

Race Twelve:

#8 Inform looks like the horse to beat in the finale. This Keystone Raider-bred horse has finished first or second in his last six. Underneath: #1 Haverford Hanover with Tim Tetrick draws the rail. This horse looms as the major danger. He should be able to find a spot in the middle of the pack. Look for Tetrick to mount a closing charge. #5 Driven To Succeed retains Eric Abbatiello. The horse ran an excellent race from the outside post in his last; a race in which he finished second by a neck. Others meriting consideration are #6 Roburascal N. This New Zealand-bred can close and just might add value to your superfecta. Andy Miller in the bike is a plus. Finally, #3 Jet Set Hall with Brian Sears has a degree of back class. Merits consideration.