Meadowlands Schedule

Friday, Saturday | First Post 6:20 p.m. EST

Sunday Jan 22 Jan 29 12 pm

John rallis' Contenders saturday 1/28/23

RACE 1

(7) I DRAINTHESWAMP A – left out and took the lead briefly before getting shuffled to fourth. He was pacing up the inside but had no room as the rail was completely shut-off and he had rivals to his outside. He’s got speed off the gate and hopefully he finds himself in a good spot early, with racing room late. Marcus Miller gets the drive tonight and I’ll side with him for some value.

(4) PASSA-GRILLE BEACH – was locked and blocked by a wall of horses turning for home last week and had no chance. Draws well here and might be able to get a good piece of this with a trip.

(5) BURNHAM BOY N – NZ shipper who had two lackluster qualifiers and will now make his NA debut on lasix. Patrick Ryder qualified him both times and he will now pick up the services of Dexter Dunn. I’m not sure what to make of him, though.

RACE 2

(6) SKYWAY KON MAN – I’m not a fan of this race but this is the lowest this lowest seven-year-old has raced in a little while so I’ll side with him on back-class alone. Draws well and will be given every chance.

(10) SMOOTH ACELERATION – big driver change going from Athearn to Mark Mac here but doubt he has the early footing to be activated early from a bad post.

(2) PLUMB – had a perfect two-hole trip and still got passed turning for home. This is a weak group, though.

RACE 3

(6) PJ LOU – coming off a solid qualifier where he kicked home in 26 flat. This 4YO son of Sweet Lou hasn’t raced since October but that morning prep was good enough to get the best of this group.

(1) RIFLEMAN – finished off his mile well from his latest and now picks up Dexter Dunn and draws the rail. He figures to be closer.

(4) EL JACKO N – will stretch himself out on the big track tonight and could very well pick up a share.

RACE 4

(7) GOTAFOOLISHDESIRE – left out as a longshot last week and then sat a cozy trip in the 2-hole for most of it before Tyler Miller was unable to find any real estate and was trapped in to finish 4th. He appeared to have pace and we will give him a go on top here. Scott Zeron aboard.

(8) THANOS – came first up and took his shot at the leader but lost to a rival who tripped out behind him. He figures to be aggressively driven tonight and with a better trip could end up with a better result.

(4) LONE WOLF AMERICAN – back-to-back wins at this level makes him an obvious threat. He will likely need a trip, though.

RACE 5

(8) TRICK OF THE LIGHT – qualified really well on Jan. 14th and then drew the 10 hole in her latest, in what was her first pari-mutuel start since October. Second start off the layoff and I can’t imagine Andrew McCarthy won’t be aggressive. They’ll have to catch her, me thinks.

(7) DONT FENCE ME IN – also was driven conservatively in what was her first pari-mutuel start since November. She, too, was coming off a qualifier on Jan. 14th and was an impressive winner. She’s a threat, but I’m not sure what trip she’ll be able to work out in here.

(2) THINKING OF GALAXIES – has finished 3rd over her last two starts here at M1 and could pick up another share.

RACE 6

(2) A ROCKNROLL STAR – has won four out of his five starts here in NA after shipping in from Great Britain. All those wins came at Chester and although this is a tougher group, I think he’ll enjoy being on the big track.

(8) DE LOS CIELOS DEO – was an impressive winner in his latest after coming first up and just opening up on his rivals. This is a step up tonight but it’s not unfamiliar territory for this classy fella. He can build off his effort from last week.

(4) BAILEYS ROCK N – was flying late at the end of it and just missed out by a neck. He’ll likely need a sit-and-stalk trip to find himself in the winner’s circle, so I’ll slot him in for just a share.

RACE 7

(1) DONTLIKEITLEAVE – looked like a loser at the top of the stretch last week when he got passed on the lead but came on again to win his third-straight. He’s hard to side against right now.

(10) STONEBRIDGE REEF – was stuck on the inside and was pacing well late to finish 2nd, beaten just a neck to the choice. That was his third, 2nd-place finish over as many starts and I’ll slot him underneath as well.

(2) LUC ROCKS – draws inside and should be close enough to grab a share.

RACE 8

(1) CAVIART LUCA – draws inside tonight after consecutive outside posts where he got away in the back in each of those starts. He was pacing really hard at the end of his mile in his latest, coming home in 27 flat to finish 5th. This might be a tougher group but with an inside draw and YG, I’ll give him a shot.

(3) MY PAL JOE – drew the 10 hole last week and gapped his rivals before the 3/4. He caught up with the group to finish well and was 5th. He will be racing at this level for the 3rd consecutive week, and was a gate-to-wire winner two starts back here from the 3-hole.

(5) LEVINE – has raced well in both tries here at M1 this year and could pick up a big piece if he’s within striking-distance late.

RACE 9

(5) BALLERAT BOOMERANG – left out and then found himself trapped 3rd on the inside before making a run up the comes where he got picked off by a rival on the outside to finish 2nd. He was great at this level two starts back coming from off the pace and can do as he pleases here with post 5. He appears to be the one to beat here.

(6) STRETCH THE LINE – put forth consecutive winning Q’s for new trainer Ricky Bucci at Monticello and Yonkers. It’ll be his first time racing at M1 and he might enjoy the opportunity to stretch his legs. Dexter Dunn picks up the drive and he figures to take support.

(7) DANCE IT OUT – showed a different dimension last week when he blasted out from the 9-hole and converted off a pocket trip. He might be able to upset here with a similar trip.

RACE 10

(7) IGNATIUS N – returns to M1 after a lackluster qualifying effort on Jan. 14th. He last raced in November and I’m hoping that he will enjoy being back at this racetrack where he’s enjoyed most of his NA success.

(6) ROCKN MARTY A – is making his NA debut after a couple of solid qualifiers. Let’s see what he’s got.

(5) THE CLAW – avoids the likes of Crunch Time A and Belmont Royale N tonight and that might just be what he needs.

RACE 11

(6) LADY OXFORD GB – moves up a couple classes here after a dominant, wrapped up performance in his latest and I will not side against him off that effort.

(3) DEALERS TABLE – should enjoy the class relief tonight but I’m still not convinced it’ll result in a victory.

(9) TORONTO – can pick up a piece here.

RACE 12-14

RACE 12

(4) SERIOUSLY HANOVER – was an easy winner two starts back and then went off-stride in his latest after he began to make his late rally. I’ll side with him here and hope he’s able to behave himself.

(3) LITERL LAD HANOVER – left out aggressively from the 9 hole in his latest and was pacing hard when he found a seam late. He can beat this group with a similar effort.

(8) DEAL THE CARDS N – might find himself on the engine early but not sure it’ll be enough to hold off the two above.

RACE 13

(4) CAPOZZO – got a trip from hell in his latest after being hung out on the inside for the entire mile as the favourite, finishing 5th. He draws well and picks up Jason Barlett who guided this 12YO to a win at this level two starts back.

(2) SURREAL ART – drops out of the claiming handicap ranks and might find this spot easier.

(4) BIZYS BEATLE – was fourth at this level earlier this month and can pick up a share.

RACE 14

(6) THNDRFRMTHETHRON N – finished 2nd here last time out and can pick up a big piece of it if there’s speed to chase.

(5) ROLL WITH JR – was parked the entire mile in his latest and finished 4th. It was a solid effort and he’s going to be a major threat with an easier trip.

(1) HOMESTRETCH WES – showed a nice closing kick in a winning-effort last time out. He can pick up a share here late… maybe more.

Mike's Contenders

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