Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 6/27

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 222-69-37-30 / $366.30 (-$77.70)

BEST BETS: 16-6-4-1 / $31.00 (-$1.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 15-3-2-4 / $18.00 (-$12.00)

BEST BET: MONSERRATE (4^th)

SPOT PLAY: BRONSONS DELIGHT (3^rd)

Race 1: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace - Pick 5

(4) NEVER EASY Z TAM took some money last week but was completely blocked in the stretch and never had a chance to stretch his legs. Hopefully Goldin will have him in a better spot this week. (7) ARNIE’S ARMY also seemed to be blocked though I’m not sure how much he had left in the tank. He’s worth using in what could be a wild race. (10) URBAN RENEWAL is certainly in a soft spot and he’s been able to make the front from post 10 before. (6) BACKSTREET LAWYER hasn’t won a race in years but did finish third in this class a week ago.

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Race 2: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2 70) or less

(1) PARKLANE TERROR hasn’t been doing great work in the lowest class at Philly and that could turn some people off. I’d argue that this is an even softer spot than those and notice his last try here was two classes higher. (5) COACHMAN was a bit better in his second start since 2023 and tonight he adds Lasix. Another step forward seems very possible. (2) ROCKIN ROGER was a bit better last time and quite frankly it won’t take much to win this race.

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Race 3: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace - Survivor 7

(3) BRONSONS DELIGHT hung two starts back but last time showed bravery while coming first-over and holding his ground very nicely. He has now dropped time in three straight starts and seems to be sitting on a win. (7) JIM STRIKESITRICH was used hard early and aggressively pulled the pocket later in the mile. A smoother trip can result in a better result. (4) BIG BAD BILL got out-kicked late last time. He certainly has a big shot with another smooth trip.

Race 4: Winners 2-4 (NW L2 5) races or $50,000 (NW L2 $62,500) life/NW 8 races draw outside

(2) MONSERRATE takes on older here but hardly runs into a difficult group. He raced reasonably well in the EBC at Vernon and this is a good spot to pick up some confidence and gain some respect ahead of the Hambletonian. (3) EXCALIBUR BI has good speed and should be able to take it a bit further with Lasix added. (7) FOR JULY has the talent to win a race like this but I’d warn that he needed to be steadied in his lone race this year to keep him trotting.

Race 5: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 2 Pace

(2) GOOD ROCKIN didn’t exactly have a good trip and still trounced his competition last time. Top to bottom this field is better but a repeat is well within his grasp. (6) GAZOO was steady in his first start in six weeks. He can definitely take a step forward with the race under his belt. (3) I’LL HUNT YOU DOWN improved last time after a number of starts in this barn. Maybe they’ve finally unlocked the key to a horse that was a win machine for his previous connections. (1) GALLIE GETAWAY was a winner in his last amateur race. Silva is always dangerous in these spots.

Race 6: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.35) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(5) GOOGOO EYES faced many of these last week and soundly beat them despite a first-over trip. That was his best effort in some time and not coincidentally came on the class drop to this level. He’s clearly the one to beat but not necessarily a horse I trust. (2) MASSTER BLUE had no shot the last two starts from far outside posts. I’m expecting a bit of a wakeup mile tonight. (2) LANDIA is good at sitting a trip and getting a piece. He is even capable of stepping up with a win, though he couldn’t touch the top one last time after tracking his cover; Miller joins the team. (7) ALL TOO WELL has some ability if he can get his act together.

Race 7: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace

(3) HASHTAG MONEY was sitting on dull cover through rated fractions last time and did what he could to get fifth. It was an improved effort from his previous try and tonight we get Beltrami back in the bike. (6) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING never saw the pylons, raced uncovered on the final turn and succumbed to the tough trip late. Driver Cassar remains without a win this meet but has a shot here with a better steer. (8) STORM THE COURT blew away the top pick by getting soft fractions and sprinting home impressively. I don’t see a way he gets fractions like that again, but he’s certainly hard to ignore. (7) MASTER MIKI was shuffled, shook free and rallied well for second last time. If the pace is hot he could be coming late.

Race 8: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.50) or less - Pick 6

(3) DEFININGTHE MOMENT tucked, grinded first over and held very well in a game mile last time versus many of the same horses she faces this week. (1) LYONS MIKI was gaining ground but too far back last time. Her prior start was a win in this class; contender with right trip. (4) ROMA AMOR is clearly going to the top this week and she should be sitting a good trip; capable. (2) POLKS IMAGE comes out of the same race as the top three and was simply too far back to menace late. I wouldn’t say she was loaded with late pace but she was good enough to think she can make an impact here moving to a better post.

Race 9: Non-winners $5,000 (NW 2L5 $5,530) in last 5/TM 80.5 (NW L2 82.5) or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(3) ZAPPA arrived here last weekend and raced well from off the pace at good odds as he got down to speed, dropping three seconds from his Harrington races. In a field with no killers I give him a good shot. (2) VELOCIRAPTOR destroyed a slightly cheaper field last time and certainly merits consideration. (5) DOUBLE ACCOUNT has the speed to get into position but landed a great pocket trip last time and was out-kicked by the top pick. (6) ROCKET MAN HILL blew the field away in the stretch last Friday. When he can save ground and get a clean path up the cones the result is usually positive. I just think the price will be too short given his trip requirements.

Race 10: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.01) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) ALMOST KAREN seems to be coming into form in her last two starts. Granted her last was against the lowest level at Philly, but it was still a very nice mile from off the pace. (5) SUNBURNT flashed speed to the top and posted a solid second last time. Similar tactics could have her in a winning position. (4) BETTE TINA has won in this class before. (2) PULL ME THROUGH steps up off a good mile and raced well in this class a few starts back.

Race 11: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2 70) or less

There are plenty of ways to go in this race and that speaks more to the inconsistency of the entrants than the handicapping angles available. (4) MY WISH CAME TRUE has the early speed to make the front and make her own luck in terms of trip. Notice that all of his recent starts in this class with a catch driver have resulted in good miles. (6) MOONWARDS HANOVER gets a slightly better post tonight and is certainly sharp enough to win with a decent cover trip. (5) COLE ON THE BEACH won his last try in this class by showing early speed. (8) DEEDENUTO A was much better in his second start on Lasix. Beckwith struggled to find racing room until deep into the stretch drive and this guy finished up with a hint of pace when clear. That the driver sticks here over #5 is intriguing. (2) WARRAWEE XCEED is a capable horse given a ground saving trip and a clear path late.

Race 12: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L2 $3,000) in last 5/TM 75.50 or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(2) FULL OF MUSCLES comes back to North America after what looks like a failed run in Sweden. His return qualifier wasn’t much but this barn is very capable of getting them to drop multiple seconds off a ho-hum morning effort. Notice when he was last here in 2021 that he won twice in 1:53 and change. (4) FIX-IT-UP responded nicely to the removal of hobbles in his first start for Bongiorno. Can he repeat that mile? (3) HOOFBEATS DE VIE has been racing very well here and he should make the front in a jiffy. The problem is the presence of other speed to his outside which could put him in a bad spot. We’ll see.

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Race 13: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 $30,000) life/Maidens draw inside

(7) GRAND RESERVE added hobbles and blew away a field at Pocono last time. With other contenders offering plenty of questions, I’ll hope this gal can continue her newfound success. (4) R CHARM is the one to beat if you believe she can stay trotting. At this point that is a huge if but Zeron is coming back from Yonkers to drive her. (6) R CEE CEE dropped some time moving to the big track. She certainly has a chance if either of the top pair doesn’t show up.

Race 14: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2 70) or less

(4) BLUEBIRD CRUSH wasn’t very good last time and that works in our favor here. This is a much better spot where she can fire off the gate and either control the action or sit the pocket against a soft group. (2) HOLD MY TIARA will sit and hope for a clean trip. If she finds it a win isn’t impossible. (5) EXCITING TIMES A was moving fastest of all by far in the lane last Friday. At least you know a big price is in the offing. (8) VINTAGE GAL burned plenty of money in her last start and could very well add more to the loss total on Friday.