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Al Cimaglia: Meadowlands Late Pick 4 Analysis | Friday, January 9, 2026

by Al CImaglia

January 9, 2026

The Meadowlands begins the weekend with a 14-race card. The 0.50 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 10. The sequence has a $50,000 guaranteed pool with a 15% takeout, and it will be my focus. Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 10 (10:05 PM EST)

2-Pressure Cooker (4-1)-Shipped in from Yonkers and was off 3 weeks before an even effort on 1-2. The Linda Toscano 5-year-old has done good work at M1 in a limited number of starts (5-2-1-0). Has enough gate speed to be on the point or in 2-hole and will look for a big try after a race on the oval.
5-Laurie Lee (6-1)-Landed here after a race at Stga and put in a no-move mile. Gets some post relief and comes right back. Will look for Tyler Miller to have her forwardly placed and like the one above should be better tonight.
9-Tick A Loch A (3-1)-Aussie bred makes its M1 debut after a pair of qualifiers. The last tune-up signals the 5-year-old is ready to battle as it won in 153.2 with a 55.1 back half. The post draw helps the price and looks like a threat with a smooth steer.

Race 11 (10:30 PM EST)

1-Iwon't Backdown AS (3-1)-This 7-year-old is 0-7 at M1 and has been off since 12-19, but now drops to a soft spot. Not automatic but could post an overdue win with a top of the stack trip and Brett Beckwith can execute that plan.
5-Rocket Man Hill (4-1)-The Amanda Fine entry was off a month and stayed inside to finish 3rd in a needed race on 1-2. Comes right back, has some gate speed, and may try to go gate to wire versus this crew.

Race 12 (10:55 PM EST)

7-Dream Shot (10-1)-Comes out of TM race in its M1 debut and had pretty much a no-move mile from the 8-hole. The price is right to use, even though this is considered a move-up in class. In reality this group doesn't like to win and should fit. Has the speed to get the job done and will need a smooth steer by Ridge Warren.
10-Cover The Crown (5/2)-This mare got to town in early December and cashed smaller checks against tougher foes. The question marks are the post draw and Bradley Chisholm putting her in a position to win. This is a soft bunch and needs to be used even with some reservation.

Race 13 (11:20 PM EST)

3-Roma Amor (3-1)-Slow starter makes it more difficult on herself as was the case last time. Austin Siegelman steers for his 2nd straight, that could make a difference and gets some post relief. Using and hoping it won't be bet down.
9-Paige Perfect (7/2)-This is a rag-tag bunch and that makes this 1-time winner last year the 2nd chalk. But most important, this should be a meaningful drop in-class. Does have gate speed to get a close-up seat and did take a 1.52 mark here last year.

$1 Late Pick 4

2,5,9/1,5/7,10/3,9
Total Bet=$24

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