Best Bet: CAPTAIN DEO (3rd) Spot Play: SHADY MCCOY (2nd) Race 3 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 26 - 79 / $141.60 (-$16.40) BEST BETS: 7 - 8 / $24.20 (+$8.20) Race 1 (5) ONE MORE MIRACLE perked up with a solid effort in his this start back from a year on the sidelines. Against a suspect bunch like this, he seems like a logical play. (2) OUTCRY has put in consecutive solid effort here at big prices. The odds will be much lower this week. (4) BAY RUM reunites with Miller, who steered this guy to a second here two starts back. Race 2 (5) SHADY MCCOY exits amateur races and trainer Eric Abbatiello is back in the bike. Five-year-old finds a plum spot and has no excuses for failure. (2) KING CAST was in too tough last time at Philly; fits here. (1) KENT COUNTY comes off a win, which is a huge plus in this field. Race 3 (1A) CAPTAIN DEO looked awesome in his Meadowlands qualifiers and just average against some top competition at Pocono. He’s back in New Jersey this week and facing far inferior foes from his previous races. A loss would be shocking. (2A) BAG PIPE MAJOR raced well upon his return here last week. (8) MR HEAVEN was sharp when wiring his competition last Friday and certainly merits a look despite the difficult post 10 assignment. Race 4 (8) CINDY’S PARTY BOY raced evenly in a higher class last week. He picks up Brett Miller now and still has a right to improve in just his sixth start since 2016 after missing all of last year. (2) ALWAYS A DIAMOND should be put in play early for David Miller. (9) FRANKANDJOANNE is another horse in the field getting an interesting driver change. (4) FRANKIE C could be on the move early in this spot and get a nice piece. Race 5 (1) BRUCE’S MAGIC is stepping up in class but seems every bit as fast as his competition and should be able to protect his position from the pylons. (7) CAVIART LUCA only has one win to show for it but has raced well in each of his last four starts. (4) BALLERAT BOOMERANG exits stakes competition and does pick up Sears; capable. Race 6 (1) ASHLEY’S HUSBAND has a good history at The Meadowlands and won by six the last time he raced here at this level. This is not the toughest NW8500 class. (6) RAINBOW ROMANCE N was in against better when last seen here. (3) GRIFFON HANOVER has early speed and form. (8) BUNGALOW BILL N comes out of similar races as #6 and was holding his own. Race 7 (3) HIGHALATOR lost his form out of town while facing some stiff competition. Back at The Meadowlands and with David Miller, who drove him to a 1:49 win here on April 28, I’m expecting a strong showing versus a solid field. (5) ALOTBETTOR N comes in from Yonkers with plenty of form and has wins at The Big M each of the last two years. (7) GREAT VINTAGE was sharp in his qualifier and still has plenty of life in him at age 10. Race 8 (5) JK PARLAY ships in from Philly to face a mostly blank field. I’m going to take a shot with Sears taking over for a high percentage barn. (3) QUALITY BUD caught a good group last time and his usual rally just wasn’t good enough. He may just be the horse to beat in here but should offer good value. (4) BRIGADIERBRONSKI A returns to The Meadowlands at a slightly reduced level. Race 9 (6) ALLBLACK STRIDE N picked up some confidence at Freehold and that is a very underrated angle in this sport. He is more than capable of handling this field now that he remembered how to win. (8) LIVE ON came up huge versus lesser a week ago. (2) HILLBILLY HANOVER gets a better post to work with. Classy veteran is not done yet. (3) MISTER INDIANA can’t seem to last as the wire approaches; threat on best. Race 10 (5) NOBLES FINESSE rallied reasonably well in his second start back from a four-month break. Moving to a better post this week, maybe we see early speed? (7) JUSTIFIED lured Abbatiello off my top choice. Ten-year-old has plenty of class and seems to be moving in the right direction of late. (1) UFFIZI hasn’t raced in over a month but is loaded with ability if he has his head screwed on straight. (10) ROLLIN ABOUT could certainly show more in just his second start for the Surick barn. Race 11 (1) PLAYEROSA was racing in higher classes at Freehold and should have every chance to wake up in this spot. (2) YO APOLLO CREED is still seeking his first win of the year. It is going to happen sooner or later and this looks like a good spot. (9) HI HO STEVERINO has come to life since the barn chance. Race 12 (1) ROCKINWITHTHEBEST didn’t care for being used on the lead through fast fractions last time. He seems to be substantially down in class this week and should have every chance to awaken. (8) BYBY LANDON comes off a monster mile at Freehold but this barn is 0-for-39 at the current Meadowlands meet; tough call. (5) MAY I CRUISE WEST has been stuck in outside posts of late. He raced well the last time he drew well. (2) GAIUS CRASTINUS is another that seems to be moving down the class ladder; maybe.