Meadowlands

Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 7/1

Derick Giwner|Jun 29, 2022

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 179-57-37-23 / $331.80 (-$26.20)

BEST BETS: 14-9-1-2 / $35.10 (+7.10)

SPOT PLAYS: 13-3-4-1 / $11.00 (-$15.00)

BEST BET: SHINKANSEN (14th)

SPOT PLAY: UPTOWN LADY N (6th)

Race 1: Reynolds 3YO Filly Trot - Pick 5

There is a reasonable chance (6) FASHION SCHOONER will be handled patiently in her first start since May 27 as she preps for more important engagements. That said, her B game is enough to win and she only needs to be within five lengths or so to run them down. (7) BAPTISM has won three straight and could be a threat to wire the field if allowed to get away with soft fractions. (5) DELILAH HANOVER got a late start and has prepped in weaker races. I'd demand value since she's never been faster than 1:54.

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Race 2: Reynolds 3YO Colt Trot

Early speed rules during the daylight hours in the summer and (4) LOOKS LIKE MONI seems destined to control the action. If he gets away soft, stealing the race is very possible. (5) FAST AS THE WIND is probably the horse to beat but may not be worth something close to an odds-on mutuel. (8) REBUFF is my early Hambo pick but can't be expected to go hard in his first start of the year and a month removed from qualifying.

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

Race 3: Reynolds 3YO Filly Trot - Pick 6

(7) RAISED BY LINDY has a good foundation under her belt and it's time to let her out a notch this week. (2) MANON is undefeated in 2022 and only seems to be getting stronger; notice Tetrick chose here over #3. (9) DATE NIGHT found renewed life in her most recent qualifier. Has she turned the corner? (5) VENERABLE has yet to find the championship form she displayed last year; lots of question marks.

Race 4: Reynolds 3YO Colt Trot

(5) B A SUPERHERO had to need the start last time from an outside post after missing four weeks. This looks like the right spot to show a bit more. (2) CLASSIC HILL has turned the corner in recent weeks. (6) DOVER IN MOTION looked super to start the year but has now run into a breaking issue. Maybe the switch to the big track will right the ship.

Race 5: Non-winners $14,000 (NW L3 $15,850) in last 5/TM 88.31 or less - Survivor 7

(7) INAMINUTE HANOVER takes a key class drop and seems likely to prove tough as long as Smith puts him in play. (4) KING OF THE NORTH raced well from the back in his comeback race and could very well be favored here versus older foes. That said, why is he adding Lasix ahead of the Hambletonian where the medication is not permitted? (8) INCOMMUNICADO drops out of the same race as the top pick and finished just behind him. Svanstedt trainee has the early speed to make the front but comes with a big question mark on the driver change.

Race 6: Inside Harness Non-winners $3,000 in last 5 Final

(8) UPTOWN LADY N has found herself since dropping to this basement condition. While (1) PHELGON is likely to be the chalk, this gal is very capable of upending her regardless of trip. The latter added Lasix in start two for this barn and found a career-best mile; dangerous. (4) BRUSH N CRUSH isn't as fast as the top pair but certainly comes from a capable barn.

Race 7: GSY 1 Pace - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) FERDINAND A finished second against pro drivers last week (although an amateur beat him) and he should have a free shot at the front this week. Only issue with this 9-year-old is his propensity to finish second and third this year. (9) SCRAPPIN GOLD took plenty of air and kept on going last time. A similar effort would put him in the picture for sure. (6) CHIEF OF STAFF was an open lengths winner in his last GSY start.

Race 8: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3 $8,250) in last 5/TM 83 or less

(10) STRAIGHT TALK gets meaningful class relief and a young driver who might get aggressive despite post 10. (8) BETTER TAKE IT is another that perked up when last in the NW7500 class. New driver Marohn just needs to keep him pacing. (6) MINDTRIP tends to race from behind for this barn and if things get wild up front with the top two fighting for the lead, this veteran will be mowing them down.

Race 9: GSY 1 Pace - Pick 6

This will likely be a spread race in the multi-race exotics and the lack of a clear pace presence doesn't help in figuring out who will win. (6) FIRE LIGHT improved in his second try for this barn. (1) BRUCE’S MAGIC could be helped if few horses leave since he is typically slow away. Slendorn has gotten along with him in the past. (9) ALWAYS A FORCE qualified back well and adds a competent amateur.

Race 10: Non-winners $5,000 in last 5/TM 80.45 or less

(7) SAYING GRACE N seems to have turned it around over the last few weeks and this field didn't come up very strong. (1) PASSA-GRILLE BEACH took a shot last time in a crazy-fast mile. Double drop in class tonight should help in a big way; using. (4) BOBCAT BAY was used too hard a week ago at Philly and was stuck outside in his previous contest. He has some price potential.

Race 11: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5/TM 87 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) GRACE HILL hasn't broken through as a 4-year-old but certainly lands in a sweet spot this week. She almost has to be firing out here. (7) WESTERN WISH raced well when last seen here and she's another capable of leaving well. (4) BETTORS HEART N is in decent form and capable given the right trip.

Race 12: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L4 $3,650) in last 4 or 3 races in 2021-22/TM 76.5 or less

(2) J ROCKIN B didn't seem to enjoy her trip to Monticello and was stuck outside in her previous two starts. Boyd gets along with her nicely and the price will be good. (6) JOHNNY G'S STAR gets a barn and driver change which could produce immediate results. (7) TAKEN CONTROL could be bet off the board on the trainer/driver change angles but this barn seems to be excelling more the second start after acquiring a new horse. (4) BE BEST has been the victim of circumstance in recent starts to some extent; upset chance.

Race 13: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5 or in 2022/TM 82 or less

(7) MAX CONTRACT is a talented 3-year-old with a big engine when she is feeling right. Since she lands in a short field I'll roll the dice that the trip will work out versus older foes. (5) COUSIN MARY has some class and will be involved with a clean trip. (4) ITS MESMERISE N comes off a win and is one of the only obvious likely leavers.

Race 14: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5/TM 82 or less

(9) SHINKANSEN tends to roll down the road when he drops into this class. This field came up soft and doesn't seem capable of stopping him if he brings his best. (4) CHIPLOSIVE responded with a much better effort when dropped to this level a week ago. (1) GOTWUTEVERITTAKES reverted to breaking last time but perhaps that had something to do with the driver change. McCarthy is supposed to come back from Yonkers for one race to drive him. (10) CELEBRATE WITH ME won't be done any favors by the outside draw but if a few of these break and she can land in good position this mare is capable.