Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 7/17/26

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 296-103-58-28 / $513.60 (-$78.40)

BEST BETS: 20-13-2-2 / $37.80 (-$2.20)

SPOT PLAYS: 21-6-3-4 / $36.20 (-$5.80)

BEST BET: TURTLE DOVE (11th)

SPOT PLAY: LIFETIME DREAMER (13th)

Race 1: NJ Sire Stakes Platinum 2YO Filly Trot - Pick 5

(7) WALL OF FAME has to answer the question of the outside post but everything I’ve seen from her say she has plenty of ability. (1) DEJEUNER had plenty of company leaving the gate and had to rush up to gain command. That she came up a bit short late is understandable; moves inside. (4) RUTH’S KALILA chased home the top one for second money last time and should be forwardly placed again. (6) CREAMY ARMITAGE was even in her debut; more now?

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Race 2: 2YO Filly Trot

(6) CITY OF LIGHT is just the second foal from this fast mare and the first from Chapter Seven. She was gaining very well with every step in her latest qualifier. (4) ANABELLA was under a good hold early, carried out wide into the lane and was always winning that mile despite the narrow margin. Don’t be turned off by the slow time. (1) FASHION N FRILLS could fire out from the inside for Svanstedt. I wouldn’t be surprised if she raced well but the barn wasn’t exactly great last weekend.

Race 3: NJ Sire Stakes Platinum 2YO C&G Pace - Pick 6

(2) VELVET DITCH was the victim of the pace scenario last week as he sprinted home in 26 seconds. With that flat line under his belt perhaps we’ll see a more aggressive steer. (6) AINTMYFIRSTRO DEO beat these as the 3-5 chalk last time and is an obvious repeat threat. (4) PERFECT JOE sat a good trip but got rough-gaited in the lane. He could improve if they smooth out his stride.

Race 4: NJ Sire Stakes Silver 2YO Filly Pace

(4) SOAP IN MY EYES was used early and didn’t have much late in the mile last time at Mohawk. That was just her first start for this barn and that field was better that anything she faces here. (1) SHE STINGS TWICE rated and sprinted for the victory in her debut and is a clear repeat threat. (3) BODY AND SOUL drops out of the Platinum division and seems likely to be a much bigger threat.

Race 5: NJ Sire Stakes Platinum 2YO Filly Pace

(5) BUTTERFLY EFFECT got outsprinted in her debut by a horse that sat her pocket (#8) last week. She draws in a much better spot on the gate than that one this week and deserves the call. (3) WENDY J STINGS was restrained while leaving, settled in and didn’t love being first-over in her first start. I suspect she’ll be on the lead or in the pocket here. (8) STERL THE PEARL has a win under her belt and is drawn outside. I could see them being a bit more patient now. (4) ODDS ON GREENBACK was locked in the pocket last time and Tetrick chose her over the top pick. She does step up in class here.

Race 6: Winners 2-4 (NW L2 5) races or $50,000 (NW L2 $60,000) life - $50K GTD Pick 4

(5) MOTHER’S MONI was a very impressive first-over winner on an off track with rain falling in last at Plainridge. I’m not sure how good he is but I’m willing to roll the dice. (7) BENNY J just missed in his first start since February after sitting just off slow fractions. Five-year-old should be tighter now as he faces a field full of younger foes. (3) ISLANDGIRL HANOVER seems to be getting faster and faster. She can go with these boys. (1) ARDONNE gets a barn change to Svanstedt. Will that make a difference? Barn was a chilly 1-for-21 last weekend.

Race 7: NJ Sire Stakes Silver 2YO C&G Trot

(3) KOUNTRY INFUSION had good trot in the middle half of his second qualifier but was just even in his debut. As mentioned, this barn wasn’t hitting on all cylinders last week but if I see signs of life I’ll be all over this guy. (2) SUPER WAY was facing any number of horses last week that would trounce this group; dangerous. (1) DELTA broke in his debut; deserves another chance.

Race 8: NJ Sire Stakes Platinum 2YO Filly Trot - Pick 5

(5) GRANDIFLORA was raced conservatively from a difficult post in her debut and finished up willingly between foes. I have to think she’ll be closer to the action here. (7) CAUGHT SPEEDING would be my pick from an inside post. She hugged the cones and took some time to hit her top gear but was flying late most recently. (6) FASCINATION displayed speed and got trapped in the pocket to start her career. I’m not sure she was loaded with trot but she had more left. (2) RIO DE JANEIRO is perfect after one start and deserves at least some consideration, especially seeing as Zeron went to her over #7

Race 9: NJ Sire Stakes Silver 2YO C&G Trot

(8) BENTLEY BLUE CHIP left well but blew up cornering to the pylons on the turn. He drops out of the Platinum ranks and is worthy of a second look. (6) JAZZY BLUES saved all the ground and exploded home for the win last week. Can he do it on the engine now? You have to think he’ll be put in play. (4) MAXMAN tried to leave but had company and aborted in his debut. He was a bit green late and maybe he’ll benefit from the start.

Race 10: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 $30,000) life/Maidens draw inside - $50K GTD Pick 4

(6) LUCILLE WALNER has crossed the wire first in both of her starts this year and she lands in a soft spot tonight. (3) GABES LUCK was able to stay flat in his last qualifier and it is notable that he was asked a little in the lane. I may use him on a second Pick 4 ticket. (2) MEGA SHARK was a decent horse at one point this year; good spot.

Race 11: NJ Sire Stakes Silver 2YO Filly Trot

(7) TURTLE DOVE doesn’t have pretty lines but she showed me plenty in the two qualifiers and was simply a victim of circumstance in her debut when last on the rim in a race that sprinted home in 27 1/5. Dunn joins the team tonight and all systems should be go. (5) EXTREMELY TACTICAL caught a salty group in her Platinum appearance last week and should appreciate the class drop. (3) EXQUIS moves to the inside of the gate and seems likely to be put in play.

Race 12: NJ Sire Stakes Silver 2YO Filly Trot

(1) MRS RATTIGAN might offer some value since she won in a slower time than some of her rivals. I’ll roll the dice that there is more in the tank. (7) OLBIA and (9) IRISH FAITH dead-heated for the win last time. Both figure to push away from the gate and have a shot. (3) WHOOPDEDOO HANOVER drops out of Platinum and adds hobbles.

Race 13: NJ Sire Stakes Silver 2YO C&G Trot

(4) LIFETIME DREAMER was kind of lollygagging in third through the stretch when (1) PRESIDENTE came alongside and this guy reengaged and was never letting that foe pass. Gingras being back in the bike now is a plus. The latter was very professional moving wide on the final turn, not being bothered by a breaker and trotting home very willingly. (3) PUL BIBER was definitely used early in the mile and perhaps that explains the lack of fight late, though to me he was racing a bit greenly and I’m going to watch a start unless he’s good value.

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Race 14: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.05) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm.

(5) SPROUT returned from some time away with a strong closing mile. Mare may finally be ready to get her first win in 2026. (2) ALMOST KAREN got out of post 10 and found a win last time. This class jump is far from insurmountable. (7) SQUANKUM LADY drops but rarely wins; using underneath. (4) PEARL HARBOUR N seems likely to be put in play.

Race 15: Trackmaster 68 (NW L4 69.15) or less

(1) KENTUCKY MOONSHINE lands on the inside of the gate and figures to be put in play. (3) WISHIN FOR KISSES and (4) HELEN BACK AGAIN are both getting key driver changes and either could awaken. (7) JUST MY MAMA is pace dependent but very capable when things go her way.