Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 6/9

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 122-45-20-18 / $237.80 (-$6.20)

BEST BETS: 9-7-0-0 / $24.10 (+6.10)

SPOT PLAYS: 9-3-2-0 / $21.80 (+$3.80)

BEST BET: RIGGINSWIND (12^th)

SPOT PLAY: WHITE BELLY (8^th)

Race 1: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1-2 Trot Handicap - Pick 5

(10) CAL MILES N SHELL hardly inspires me to run to the windows from post 10 but on paper he lays over the field and should overcome the obstacle. (8) BLOGMASTER took some air last time and almost came out on top. He's clearly sharp now and hopefully will be put in play early. (1) LINDYS BOOZE CRUZ capitalized on a perfect trip last weekend at Pocono. He should be close to the action again tonight.

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Race 2: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2/2L4 75/75.74) or less

(5) WAR OF WILL certainly picked up his game last time, whether it was the barn change or the addition of Lasix which made the difference. Anything close to a repeat mile makes him a winner. (4) A B COLLINS looked good in the amateur ranks and seems to be waking up. (7) SNAP CALL has been racing well and shouldn't miss a beat for the new barn.

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Race 3: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L2 $3,331) in last 4/TM 77 (NW L2 77.5) or less - Survivor 7

(4) DRIBBLING BI drops in class for the fourth straight start after touring the track last time from an outside post. He draws mid-pack now and the price should remain good with Chiodo driving. (2) GOLDEN CROSS STONE took plenty of air and just missed versus perhaps a slightly softer group last time; contender. (7) SKYWAY KON MAN and (8) GOES DOWN SMOOTH come out of the same race as the top pick and finished within a length of him that night. With that in mind, both probably are worth some consideration.

Race 4: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace

(7) DEERFIELD BEACH has absolutely no form but I could make the case that after missing three weeks he was supposed to be short. He's back on seven days rest now and facing a bad field. This looks like a race to shake him up behind the gate and see what he has in the tank. (5) WIGGLE MY COOKIE has put in some good amateur races of late and should be put in play early. (2) SOMWHERENBROOKLYN N had no chance from the outside post last week.

Race 5: Non-winners 2 races life

(2) D’APPER qualified sharply with a 26 3/5 kicker. Colt has some good bloodlines and might just be ready at first asking after winter vacation. (3) ARI FERRARI J is clearly the one to beat but not exactly a horse that inspires confidence. (9) FLYINGDRUMSTICKS S has looked good in two starts this year and could certainly step up tonight.

Race 6: Non-winners $7,500 in last 4/TM 82.5 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) EPIC DREAMER comes off a mile at Hoosier that makes him the one to beat. The only issue is the four week break in action. According to trainer Kelley the horse is doing well, so unless he is odds-on, I'd go with this guy on top. (1) NO DRAMA PLEASE went off the favorite in this class last week but wasn't a good chalk. This field is softer, especially if the top pick doesn't bring his best game. (3) SHOEMAKER HANOVER has plenty of form but may not be fast enough.

Race 7: Trackmaster 71.5 (NW L2/2L4 72/72.5) or less Series/Opt. $6,000 Clm.

(4) VEL LARRY two-moved to the front last week and came up second best in his bottom-out attempt. This is clearly the softer of the two divisions tonight and he should have a big shot to pick up his first victory of the year. (7) TREVOR'S HUNT had to wait for clearance but finished very willingly last weekend. He's got a shot here but will be bet. (1) SKYWAY BILLY moves inside and certainly could improve in his second start for this barn.

Race 8: Non-winners $3,000 (NW 2L5 $3,805) in last 4 or non-starters in 2023 - Pick 6

(6) WHITE BELLY has been brought along patiently by Scran and qualified back nicely last time. Six-year-old is plenty fast enough to beat this group off the bench. (7) ST LADS BEAT IT takes a HUGE drop in class tonight and figures to be odds-on. He's certainly one to fear. (2) ALBERT A' SCOOTIN has been keeping good company at Freehold while stuck with outside posts. He should race better in this spot.

Race 9: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace

(5) TOONIE TEEN raced very well in this class two back and made a break for no reason last time after an aborted leave attempt. Let's give him another shot in a blank field. (3) BETABCOOL N rallied well most recently and made a good move the start prior. Mare is clearly in form and capable of winning. (9) ROCKABILLY CHARM was used two times and faded last week. He'll be a threat if able to get a cleaner trip.

Race 10: Non-winners 2 (NW L3 3) races or $20,000 life/Maidens draw inside - $50K GTD Pick 4

(1) KAPTAIN KARLOS seemingly wasn't quite ready in late April but that last qualifier on Saturday behind NA Cup starter Christchurch was nice. Winless 3-year-old lands in a soft field and should have every chance to succeed. (3) GAZOO was facing much, much better foes last time out. He’s the one to beat if the top one doesn't show up. (4) MARRIED MAN is good to keep up and pass some late.

Race 11: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace

(5) IDEAL SUSPECT couldn't clear the lead until three-eighths and that clearly cost him late in the mile last Friday. His three wins this year lead the field and with a slightly smoother trip a victory seems very possible. (1) ROCK TO GLORY finds a field that shouldn't be able to get away from him early. 15-year-old could motor by late with the right trip. (2) DOC SEMALU and (4) STOLEN ART were both flat last time but raced well two starts back.

Race 12: Non-winners $7,500 in last 4/TM 83.7 (NW L2/2L4 84/84.50) or less

(5) RIGGINSWIND drops out of the Open and into a field she is supposed to handle without too much trouble. (6) ANNA'S WISH closed from way too far back in the NJSS final last time. She faces older here but certainly looks as fast as most. (2) CASH ROLL figures to be rolling to the front and will likely work out a decent trip. (8) SHEZAFREAKLIKEME seems to be getting a free ride in the same class but probably wasn't expecting to see #5 in the field. Trip will play a huge role in her finish position.

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Race 13: Trackmaster 74.25 (NW L2/L6 74.85/75.40) or less/NW401 in last 3

(2) TRANS MEANIE isn't a favorite horse of mine as she’s more of a plodder than a dynamic sort, but she's dropping multiple classes and almost has to prove tough against this group. (4) LADYZAR has consecutive seconds in this class the last two weeks and you know she'll be on or near the lead. (8) DON'T TRIP hasn’t taken a shot yet since the barn change. Her recent efforts aren't as bad as they look at first glance.

Race 14: Trackmaster 71.5 (NW L2/2L4 72/72.5) or less Series/Opt. $6,000 Clm.

(8) SNOOPY SNOOP doesn't look very enticing on paper but does offer one of my favorite angles - Izzy Estrada barn change. The price should be right to take a shot and hope he wakes this guy up. (3) BRUCE'S MAGIC is a classy old guy that seems to have found his form in recent weeks. (6) ONLYTHETUFFSURVIVE qualified back well enough to suggest he could put in a decent effort. (9) SPIRIT OF TRUTH picked up a win in this series last time but that was off an easy trip from an inside post. He'll need some luck here.