Meadowlands "Survivor": Sat., Feb. 24

[Teach]

Race One:

9 WICK N. This New Zealand-bred missed his last start due to last Saturday’s “Whiteout in Weehawken” (just down the road apiece). No, I’m not enamored with his outside starting post. Eric Olson, “The Wolverine,” will have to work out the trip. A prerequisite: there must be an ample amount of early speed to set up this guy’s late-closing kick. How this race unfolds is critical. Olson must get this gelding in the game, early. I would, quite frankly, “buy insurance”. That consideration is especially true if you’re playing gimmicks, i.e., “The Survivor”. Kevin McDermott trains. Others: 2 Grave Digger; 1 DancingWithDelight; 4 Chip Walther; 6 Perseverant.

Race Two:

1 LIFE HAPPENED appeared to handle the off-going in last week’s abbreviated “snowed out” card. This guy finished 2nd behind JK Fielding. This Jenna’s Beach Boy-bred appears to be “moving in the right direction”. I like the fact that he’s drawn the rail. That gives his pilot, “The Captain,” Corey Callahan, many options. I wouldn’t be surprised if the former “Kentucky Wildcat,” Callahan, finds a spot close to the pace from which to make a late-closing move. Blake MacIntosh trains this 3-year old Art Major-bred colt. Others: 6 JK Fielding; 2 Long Beach; 3 His Excellence.

Race Three:

2 SPAGHETTI EDDIE…Is He Ready? His recent qualifier wasn’t too shabby, especially if you consider the fact that he was closing from an outside post (I’m of the belief that this Artiscape-bred gelding can knock a few ticks off that qualifer). If so… Michigan's Eric Olson reprises the drive for trainer Ted Suleski. Others: 4 Master of Puppets; 1 Walks of Life; 3 Zero the Hero.

Race Four:

3 SOUTHWIND GENERAL is my tepid, lukewarm pick. Yet, having saying that, I believe the potential exists for this guy to find his way to the winner’s circle; however, everything has to fall into place. First, he’s been off “for the longest time” (actually, about a month). Second, he’s getting first-time Lasix, that would seem to indicate this gelding may well have some bleeding issues. Third, I have this gnawing feeling that this Cam’s Card Shark-bred may need a race, yet… If he’s in reasonably good shape…? Brett Miller’s in the bike for the red-hot Ron Burke and the Burke Racing Stable. Others: 2 Big Top Hanover; 8 IWillMakeYouSayWow; 1 Mister Truth.

Race Five:

5 ELRAMA N should have the controlling speed. “The Captain” will need to ration out that speed to ensure a trip to the winner’s circle. This New Zealand-bred just missed last time against slightly better. If this guy can get comfortable on the front-end, he could go "all the way”. Mike Russo trains this Panorama-bred gelding. Others: 7 Cowboy Terrier; 8 JacksRLuckyToo; 1 Century Churchill.

Race Six:

4 K-LEE’S SHAKENBAKE returns to “The Big M” after a brief foray at Yonkers Raceway. This Abercrombie-bred gelding went off the chalk in that one but appeared to expend too much in a mid-race brush to have anything left in the tank for a closing kick; he finished 5th. Well, this 8-year old is now back in East Rutherford to once again try the wide-sweeping Meadowlands turns. I believe he’ll find these familiar surroundings more to his liking. Brett Miller is in the bike for trainer Ron Burke. Others: 1 All Week; 5 Nocturnal Bluechip; 7 Eveil Dun Champion.

Race Seven:

6 WESTERN JOE has been razor-sharp in this preferred company in his recent starts. In his current good form, I find it hard to pick against him. I believe that his driver, “The Harvard Man,” (that’s Harvard, IL), will be looking to duck in somewhere close to the front. If this Western Ideal-bred can find that tuck, he immediately becomes “a player”. Chris Choate trains this Falcon Seelster-bred 4-year old horse. Others: 7 Rockin Ron; 5 Bettor’s Edge; 2 JK Will Power.

Race Eight:

7 RATHER SWELL is my longshot try. Everything must go perfectly, yet he’s capable of scoring…at a price. His last race, a couple weeks ago, was very good in this company; his first since shipping in from Dover Downs. Will he leave? That 26.2 first panel at DD about one month ago was most impressive; he won that race. “The Orange Crush,” Andy Ray Miller, is in the bike for trainer Ed Gannon, Jr. Others: 3 Rockin the House; 5 P H Kenny; 1 Verdad

Race Nine:

5 FILL YOUR BOOTS returns to East Rutherford from “The Ol’ Hilltop,” a.k.a, Yonkers Raceway. This Shanghai Phil-bred met with limited success (two 3rds in four tries) on the Saw Mill River Pkwy. This Ontario-bred now returns to “The Big M” where he’s faced better in the past. Will the change of scenery due the trick? Pat Berry’s in the bike for trainer Andrew Harris. Others: 7 Calvin B; 8 Maajaackkobe; 2 MeetYouAtMidnight

Race Ten:

4 SAMS TRIPLE CROWN gets a much improved starting post after two outside-post tries. This Art Official-bred gelding had spent part of the fall campaigning at Oxon Hill, Maryland’s Rosecroft Raceway. He’s a speedy sort who should be “coming off the tailgate”. Corey Callahan reprises the drive for trainer Jerry Nock. Others: 2 Franky’s Beach Boy; 7 Big Stretch Mark; 9 Beyond Delight.