Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 7/18

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 303-100-50-37 / $553.30 (-$52.70)

BEST BETS: 22-9-6-1 / $41.80 (-$2.20)

SPOT PLAYS: 21-4-3-5 / $45.20 (+$3.20)

BEST BET: IT COULD BE WORSE (13^th)

SPOT PLAY: ABBEY BLUE CHIP (9^th)

Race 1: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less - Pick 5

(10) ALL TOO WELL was better last time when third versus a similar group. Four-year-old will offer a decent price and should be the least leaver to the front. Maybe he can wire a field that doesn’t seem to want to win. (5) C KAN TROT is going to be the chalk in here after finishing second just ahead of the top pick last time. While he looks very logical on paper, he’s burned some money lately. (7) FASHION FOREVER is a pretty steady performer at this level assuming he gets a clean trip.

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Race 2: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less/TM 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less draw outside

(2) ODDS ON SARA SARA didn’t do very well out of town at Yonkers but she returns to The Meadowlands at a level where she has a recent win and a second. On paper she stands out as a 3-5 shot. (9) ROMA AMOR returns here at a reduced level and she gets a new driver in the bike. (5) CATNAP missed by just a neck in this TM71 class on July 4. She doesn’t show up all the time but certainly is in with a chance if the top one falters.

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Race 3: NJ Sire Stakes 2YO Filly Trot - Survivor 7

(2) LUCILLE WALNER was a confident winner in her qualifier on June 27 and then couldn’t quite win the sprint home despite a 26 4/5 final quarter in her career debut. Drennan trainee moves to the inside of the gate here and should be able to stalk and pounce with the start under her belt. (1) SUGAR PACKET will probably be 3-5 in this spot and on paper she certainly looks formidable. She’s perfect in two starts but barely held on last time. (8) NO PROMISES displayed early speed and handled coming first-over late in the mile without tiring badly in her debut. Improvement is possible.

Race 4: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace

(2) URBAN RENEWAL lands in a great spot where Glasser should be able to push around the #1 and sit no worse than a pocket trip versus a very suspect field. (6) TELITONTHEMOUNTAIN is off consecutive second-place finishes but still hasn’t won in his career. Three-year-old could certainly be firing to the front here. (9) SAILOR’S SHADOW was a winner when last seen in the amateur ranks. As a closer, can he get enough pace to give him a fair chance to win? (7) NEVER EASY Z TAM certainly figures to be a contender on paper but somehow always works out the wrong trip.

Race 5: Non-winners 2 races life 2YOC&G

(6) SHOW ME YOUR ACE was green in his qualifying debut but put it all together most recently when he split horses and charged home for a 1:56 4/5 win last time. American ideal-sired colt looks interesting and is owned not only by trainer Chris Ryder but Ake Svanstedt. (5) FEARLESS PARTNERS had plenty left at the end of his last mile. If he gets a decent trip, watch out. (8) OCEAN B was throwing his head much of the mile yet still found a way to win last time. If trainer Brett Pelling can get him more composed, this guy will be a player.

Race 6: NJ Sire Stakes 2YO Filly Trot - $50K GTD Pick 4

(5) PRETTY PICKY came away strong and rolled into a break in her career debut. Both of her qualifiers were sharp and I’m not about to jump ship yet. (1) ROYAL PATTI was in full flight late in her mile last time. Her final clocking wasn’t quick but that could be because the race had a slow pace. (2) R CANDY is probably going to be the chalk here off a good second in her start last time. It is worth noting that she cleared to the lead and got passed for the win.

Race 7: NJ Sire Stakes 2YO Filly Pace

(2) NAPALM could admittedly be a bit of an underlay so check the board before running to the windows. Last time she was raced very conservatively and finished up full of pace while grabbed up late in traffic. There is ability here. (6) BE PERFECT BG was used to the front and still beat up on these with a convincing win last weekend. Keep in mind that she was making her second start while many others were still in their first race. She’s clearly the one to beat but far from a lock. (5) SUNNY STATION was used a bit early, came first over late and still paced willingly through the wire. (8) PERFECT THOUGHT looked good in the morning but scratched out of last week’s first round action. You have to like that she’s been forwardly placed in her qualifiers.

Race 8: NJ Sire Stakes 2YO C&G Pace - Pick 6

(3) A LITTLE KICK was only fifth in his debut but it was a good fifth as he dug down gamely to hold off a foe that looked like he was rolling by. Often horses improve a second or two in their second start and that would put him in the win picture here for a barn that doesn’t typically fire at first asking. (2) EVERLAST STING DEO almost successfully went down the road last time and is clearly a threat in here. (9) BOOKIE J dropped more than two seconds in his second career race and was simply outsprinted by (8) REINCARNATED, who got the jump on him. Both are contenders tonight if they leave for position. (4) THISBEESTINGS DEO put in a decent first effort and if he improves will be very tough to beat.

Race 9: NJ Sire Stakes 2YO Filly Trot

(2) ABBEY BLUE CHIP rolled in her 2-year-old debut but things didn’t go as nicely in start two. She was grinding up first-over and jumped to the inside while trying to straighten out in the stretch. That caused a break which took her out of contention. I expect we’ll see her on the lead tonight and in line for fewer complicated moves. (6) EMMAS MYSTERY CCL has taken a while to get going but was very good late in her last and would be no surprise as this barn fire fresh all the time. (3) CROWN THE QUEEN turned in a very nice effort last time after breaking in her prior starts. Given the prior miscues, I’m inclined to fade her here at what will likely be underlay odds. (1) LIPSTICK went a nice steady mile in her debut; improves?

Race 10: NJ Sire Stakes 2YO C&G Trot - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) APEX showed a hint of early speed to get a tuck and was able to keep coming on the rim late behind a very nice winner. Regally bred colt seems to have drawn into the softer of two divisions. (2) ARDONNE couldn’t keep up with the top pick last time but can certainly improve in his second try. (5) PRACTICAL MAN raced well in his debut and lured McCarthy off (1) ROYAL DRIVE, who tired after cutting the pace in his debut off just one qualifier. Maybe more is coming in start three.

Race 11: Non-winners $5,000 (NW 2L5 $5,530) in last 5/TM 80.5 (NW 2L4 82.80) or less/Opt. $15,000 Clm.

(7) FULL OF MUSCLES returned from Sweden and blew away a soft field two starts back before finishing second in a pretty quick mile at Pocono. He seems more than capable of handling these. (4) VINNY DE VIE was racing a few classes higher when last here and notice he adds Lasix tonight. He’s a must use on your Pick 4 tickets. (6) VELOCIRAPTOR was third in this condition a couple of starts back. His best can win but the top two seem better. (2) ZAPPA was Miller’s choice over #4.

Race 12: NJ Sire Stakes 2YO C&G Trot

(5) AMERICAN POWER came to the rim in the second half of his debut mile and made up good ground before seemingly flattening late. That said, the two horses that beat him seem to have loads of talent. In a field with plenty of early speed on the inside of the gate and more to his outside, this race could set up nicely. (6) NIX NACKEN and (7) MAGA HILL both won their debuts after sitting great pocket trips. It is hard to imagine things going perfectly again but it is certainly possible. I couldn’t toss either off what I’ve seen.

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Race 13: Non-winners 2 races life 2YOC&G

(1) IT COULD BE WORSE flashed good trot at both ends of the mile in his debut here and it is worth noting that he got shuffled back a spot. This looks like a great spot for him to shine. (2) NEIGHVER PUNT took care of business in his debut at Pocono and seems like a fit with these. (10) CAMBRIDGE HANOVER sold for $1,000,000 at Harrisburg and quite frankly he looked better than the seven-figure yearlings that have come before him. Andrew Harris charged finished up very nicely and I expect we are going to see a conservative steer in his debut.

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

(2) THANEEYA has two wins and a second in her last three starts in this class. (3) HOLD MY TIARA just missed last time and does add Lasix here. (4) CUTTING HUMOR wasn’t bad in her first start in three months; can improve. (1) BLUEBIRD CRUSH tends to stick close and get smaller checks.