Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 6/18

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 187-59-36-33 / $351.80 (-$22.20)

BEST BETS: 14-3-6-1 / $11.20 (-16.80)

SPOT PLAYS: 14-4-4-2 / $35.80 (+$7.80)

BEST BET: DANCINGINTHEDARK M (8th)

SPOT PLAY: THE VETERAN (13th)

Race 1: GSY Amateur Driver Final - Pick 5

If you have an "ALL" button in your pocket this would be the race to use it. There's plenty of early speed and sharp horses. With this being the amateur final you know the action will be fast and furious. (6) ROCKIN RAMBARAN could be a horse that is overlooked in the wagering. He just missed in an amateur race three starts back and then got caught up in 1:48 4/5 and 1:50 4/5 miles. With patient handling he could be a major factor. (3) FRANCO TRISTAN N overcame post 10 two starts back in this series and arguably has the best amateur driver in the bike. (1) WHATSTROUBLNUROCKY has a pair of seconds recently and gets his third different amateur tonight. Trip will be key. (8) MONTEFALCO N comes off a monster performance in this class but has to figure out a smooth trip from a tough post.

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Race 2: $7,500/$10,000 Claiming Handicap

(6) BUGGER BRUISER is certainly sharp and moves into a good barn. (8) GYPSY LEATHER is also sharp and has big early speed. (2) TRICK CARD should be able to get around the #1 and sit a decent trip. With few Meadowlands regulars here, (3) ALWAYS A FORCE is certainly worth a look since Dexter Dunn will drive.

[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!]

Race 3: TrackMaster Rating 73.6 (NW in L2 75.75) or less - Survivor 7

This is another very tough race and if class-dropper (4) BIG SWEEP OSBORNE doesn't wake up it's anyone's ballgame. Osborne has been awful of late but when $10,000 claimers visit the 73 TrackMaster level the results are typically good. (3) BIONIC got away slowly but showed some late life a week ago. With 21-year-old Boyd driving, perhaps he'll shake this guy up early. (7) TITUS SEELSTER flashed some early speed last time and was even late. He's another one moving to the track’s lowest condition from a claimer.

Race 4: Non-winners $3,500 in last 5/Mares TM 82.51 or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(10) DOC'S SWAN SONG faces a soft group and Hanners isn't afraid to take a flyer off the gate by showing big speed. (6) SOUTHWIND FROST isn't overly reliable but has early speed in a field full of question marks. (9) SHADY MCCOY drops a notch and adds an aggressive catch-driver; playable.

Race 5: Non-winners 2 (NW L3 3) races or $20,000 life/Maidens draw inside

(5) ALTAR is the most talented 3-year-old in this field and has a big turn of speed in her arsenal. The problem is she is very prone to mistakes and even the hobbles didn't stop her from going off-stride last time. If the price floats to the 4-1 range or above, she’s worth a play. (4) AWESOME TRIX comes off a nice effort and picks up a more aggressive driver who may try new tactics. (9) RATTLE MY CAGE should be a heavy favorite here and is clearly the one to beat, but I'm not sure I want the short price.

Race 6: Non-winners 2 races lifetime/Maidens draw inside - $50K GTD Pick 4

(5) CAVIART LOTUS changed barns and woke up with a big mile. Anything close to that effort would make him difficult to beat. (4) TORONTO hasn't been able to get over the top lately while facing somewhat tougher foes. I'm not his biggest fan at this point but he can’t be overlooked. (7) CURBSIDE PICKUP has a big move in his arsenal but should never have lost at Philly last time. Tetrick will need to time it right.

Race 7: Non-winners $3,500 in last 5/TM 79.65 or less

(6) THINK OF GALAXIES was used on the lead in her first start of the year and faded in the stretch. That start should have her tighter and ready to go the type of mile she'll need to win here. (4) SUNDAY AFTERNOON comes off a solid effort where she had no chance of catching a rated leader. (2) ALWAYSABEACHDAY has displayed good late speed while chasing in some fast miles. With a clean trip she could menace. (7) MILADY DENVER A & (10) BE BEST are both dropping in company and either could awaken.

Race 8: Non-winners $9,000 in last 5 or 6 races or $60,000 life - Pick 6

(3) DANCINGINTHEDARK M was a professional winner to start his 3-year-old campaign and the only a bad trip could get in his way versus this crew. (9) BLUFFINER certainly has the early speed to make the top from the bad post and new driver Dexter Dunn figures to get another second out of him. (5) BEYOND ORDINARY flashed early speed in a very good try to be second behind the top one last time. (6) NYLANDER has displayed flashes of ability but isn't in the same stratosphere as the top pick.

Race 9: Non-winners $6,000 (NW L3 $6,600) in last 5

(3) THE DEVILS OWN N disappointed to some extent last weekend but was only making his second start off a long break and got caught up in a 1:48 mile. I'm sticking with him and so is Dunn over my second and third choices! (7) GODS SPIRIT N comes with the big question mark of four weeks of inaction, but he's well-spotted in this field and could certainly fire to the front. (10) B LIKE CRUISER ships east from Scioto. He had a bad trip last time, an outside post before that and broke in his try three-back. There are enough excuses on his lines to consider him at a big price. (6) ANA MALAK N also comes in from the Midwest and is certainly capable of waking up in this spot.

Race 10: Non-winners $17,500 in last 5/NW10000 draw inside - $50K GTD Pick 4

(9) CRYSTAL FASHION took care of business in the Open at Pocono and really doesn't face a much better group here. Double-millionaire is supposed to handle this field. (5) BOURBON EXPRESS was done at the half last week when he was at the back at the timer read 56 2/5. Don't discount him off that effort. (3) JL CRUZE will certainly be near the lead and rarely misses the board when outside of the Open. (7) ONEY HALL absolutely stole the race last time and the win likely means at underlay on the toteboard.

Race 11: Non-winners $6,000 (NW L3 $6,600) to $9,000 (draw outside) in last 5/TM 84.25 or less

(10) STONEBRIDGE SOUL put in an honest effort last time to be third from an outside post while beating many of the same class-droppers she sees this week. Let’s stick with her one more week and see what this former classy 3-year-old has to offer with Dunn driving. (8) IDEATION HANOVER gets a post switch with the top pick this week and might try to show a bit of early speed. (3) BEST HONEY HANOVER checks in a bit light in terms of class but can be a player with the right trip. (6) RUBY ON RAILS was a winner in her last stop at the NW6000 condition. That said, she's a bit of a trip horse.

[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!]

Race 12: TrackMaster Rating 77 (NW L3 78.96) or less

(1) ART SCAPING stepped up and did all he could last week after chasing a very slow pace. He has the inside edge here and should be firing hard to keep position. (9) WESTERN REDHOT moves into another new barn and there is no doubt he'll be firing hard off the gate as well. (3) JUST WAVE GOODBYE was a winner in his last try at this TrackMaster 77 level. (5) DOC HALLADAY moves into a new barn and seems worth at least a look on the track.

Race 13: Non-winners $6,000 in last 5/TM 84.17 or less

(7) THE VETERAN qualified very well to be second behind the likely Hambletonian favorite Venerate. Now in the Melander barn after a tough 5-year-old season, this classy guy has no excuse. (9) CHIPLOSIVE is simply better than the rest of this field outside of the top pick and should find a way to be involved despite the bad starting spot. (2) HOT AS HILL has some ability but can also make mistakes. She'll likely be handled patiently and get whatever pieces she can late, but at least Bongiorno knows her.

Race 14: TrackMaster Rating 73.6 (NW L2 75.75) or less

Here’s a field where I'd like to select every horse third because this group doesn't like to win. (7) MAJOR ASSET held ok with Lasix added last time and he takes a sizable drop to the basement condition that should help his confidence. (8) IDEAL TYSON A has raced well in this class in consecutive starts. (5) STIRLING ENSIGN has early speed but hasn't won in years. (4) SOSSY'S KING KONG enters a new barn and drops one notch.