The Curtain Rises on the Meadowlands' Winter Meet

Racing resumes at the Meadowlands thus Friday (snow permitting) so it is only fitting that I handicap the card. 

The sixth race is an open pace for ten year olds and up who will be racing for $25,000.  Some people have an objection with carding a race for senior citzen horses with a $25,000 purse but it should be noted some of these horses have been racing for $21,000 and $24,000 purses currently.  The field was limited to the top ten money earners but if you are going to card a race like this, it should be an invitational.  For example, Make It Brief is making his first start since 2007 and Sequoiahs Spririt N's last effort was in a NW4000L5 start.  The racing secretary should have looked at the individual horses and looked not only at money earned but current form; then a $25,000 purse may have been deserved for this field.

Here are my early selections for the evening's card:

1st Trot - $14,000; NW $10,000 in Last 5 Starts; AE NW $60,000LT, Optional Claiming $30,000
2 - R-Valerie (Signore, 10-1)
9 - Spitiy Rayccer (Berry, 8-1)
6 - No Doze (Meittinis, 3-1)

2nd Pace - $12,500; 4YO Mares NW2PM or $30,000 LT as of 11-20-10 (White Ruffles Elig Preferred)
7 - Only The World (Tetrick, 2-1)
8 - Fortunes Smile (Brennan, 15-1)
2 - Whistle A Tune (Bartlett, 10-1

3rd Pace - $9,000; Claiming $15,000
1 - Rockinrollin Now (Brennan, 5-1)
6 - Twenty Till (Campbell, 10-1)
7 - Casino King (Bartlett, 15-1)

4th Pace - $12,500; 4YO Mares NW2PM or $30,000 LT as of 11-20-10 (White Ruffles Elig Preferred)
  2 - B J's Skye (Kakaley, 3-1)
10 - Upland Hanover (A Miller, 7-2)
  8 - Back Stabbers (Campbell, 15-1)
  5 - Jimmy The Terror (Gingras, 5-1)

5th Pace - $23,000; Mare NW $22,500 in Last 5 Starts AE: Opt Claiming Price $75,000
2 - Southwind Swallow (Tetrick, 3-1)
8 - High Speed Life (Gingras, 9-2)
1 - Native Doll (Kakalay, 15-1)

6th Pace - $25,000; Open 10YOs and Up 
10 - Tarver HAnover (Campbell, 6-1)
  5 - Mypanmar (D Miller, 9-2)
  6 - Irak Attack N (Gingras, 12-1)

7th Trot - $32,000; NW $22,500L5 Opt claiming Price $75,000  AE: Higher Money Earners Draw Outside
 10 - Winning Master (Kakaley, 2-1)
  6 - T Js Mr Lavec (Bartlett, 6-1)
  2 - Jolie's Prayer (Sears, 15-1) 
  7 - Donttellmywife (Brennan, 4-1)
 
8th Pace - $20,000; FM NW $16,000L5 AE: Opt Claiming $50,000
1 - Gerries Madison (Sears, 5-1)
3 - Ridge Jumper (Dube, 6-1)
5 - Semjac Legacy (Tetrick, 3-1)
 
9th Trot - $14,000; NW $10,000L5 AE: NW $60,000 LT, Opt Claiming $30,000
4 - I Look Special (Brennan, 10-1)
2 - Paisley (Campbell, 9-2)
7 - Definitely Mamie (Sears, 3-1)
8 - Tilly Bomb (Tetrick, 7-2)
 
10th Pace - $32,000; Mares Invitational
4 - Western Graduate (Simpson, 8-1)
1 - Bet The Ranch (Sears, 2-1)
5 - Cuz She Can (Dube. 12-1)
Coupled: Bet The Ranch and Red Star Hottie
 
11th Trot - $20,000; NW $16,000L5 AE: NW $75,000LT, Opt Claiming $50,000
1 - Beach Nut Brand (Gregory, 5-1)
6 - Whybabywhy (Holland, 3-1)
4 - Darlabar Man (Plutino, 15-1)
 
12th Pace - $14,000; Mares NW $10,000L5 AE: MW $60,000LT
4 - Princess Mcardle N (Sears, 3-1)
7 - Autumn Magic (Campbell, 5-1)
3 - Indulge Me (Manzi, 8-1)
 
13th Pace - $9,000; Claiming $15,000
6  - Leave It To Sam (Brennan, 4-1)
8 - Penn Turbo Ted (Dube, 10-1)
3 - Basilo Blue Chip (Berry, 3-1)
1 - In Kenny;s Honor (A Miller, 15-1)