Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 7/24/26

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 326-113-61-30 / $590.40 (-$61.60)

BEST BETS: 22-15-2-2 / $44.00 (+$0.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 23-7-3-4 / $40.60 (-$5.40)

BEST BET: WISHAWAVE (13th)

SPOT PLAY: JIMDOUGIE ARMITAGE (8th)

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

(4) SEIZE CONTROL is back in the amateur ranks when he last visited the winner’s circle. He catches the softer MADC and should be a major player for a barn that excels in this class. (5) CONTROL GROUP is still seeking his first win of the year but has been racing well. He got along great with Hernandez last time and gets an interesting trainer change this week. (2) FRAZIER HANOVER always has a chance in these races. The issue is he lacks consistency on the win end. (10) BLUE COLLAR MAN has big speed off the gate if Verruso wants to utilize it.

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Race 2: Kindergarten 2YO Filly Pace

(6) WENDY J STINGS showed off a bit of gate speed and then roughed it first-over in the NJSS last weekend. All in all she held her ground well to lose by less than two lengths to (3) PERFECT BODY and I’m willing to take a positive view. The latter has turned in two good efforts with a strong late kick each time, even if she did drift out some in the lane. (4) GIFT OF FAITH raced well in her debut at Pocono. She’ll be a threat if she drops time moving to the mile track.

Race 3: Kindergarten 2YO C&G Pace

(7) STEAMBOAT WILLIE was third over behind soft fractions and unleashed a powerful 25 3/5 final quarter to get a decent check. Drawing outside isn’t ideal but there could be value here on a horse with more ability than it seems on paper. (6) SEINE raced well from post eight at Philly in his debut mile and seems like a great fit in this field; Pick 5 must-use. (3) DEBONAIRE got caught in a fast mile last time. While he beat the top pick two back, it was off a golden trip; using underneath.

Race 4: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace - Pick 6

(5) MUSCLE FACTORY A quickly aborted any leave attempt last time and then was stuck behind a stalled foe in the outer flow which basically ended his night. While there is some early speed to his inside, I expect he’ll be handled more aggressively tonight. (2) ROCKIN THE ACES raced very well when switched to the amateur ranks last out. Nine-year-old has some class. (6) ROCK ON LINE gets post relief and could take advantage if the pace is hot. (3) AMERICAN MERCURY and (4) WARRAWEE YANKEE are both capable horses that could win with a live trip.

Race 5: Kindergarten 2YO Filly Trot

(7) ORINOCO just missed versus a nice-looking foe last time at Pocono. Gingras should have her on the engine here with a big shot at victory. (4) MRS RATTIGAN started her career with a sharp mile before the break last time. The hobbles go on now and perhaps that will cure all. (8) FASHION DIVA was just even but turned in a nice mile to start her career. I can see her taking a step forward off that race.

Race 6: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 $30,000) life/Maidens draw inside - $50K GTD Pick 4

(3) WHATARACE HANOVER has been very tough in these overnight races but fallen short versus the elite of the class. This is a spot where she should shine. (6) GREEN MAZTAKE has some ability when she decides to trot; high risk, high reward. (8) TRILLION TIMES adds Lasix but that may not be the magic elixir this time.

Race 7: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,300) in last 5 or 5 (NW L2 7) races life/TM 83.5 (NW L2 85.6) or less

(6) CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS hasn’t been able to find her gait as a 4-year-old and now hobbles go on to try to right the ship. I’m willing to take a swing that the new equipment makes a big difference. (4) BENNY J has returned from a few months away with good form and his early speed means he’ll be in the proper tactical position. (7) HAPPY JACK B gets some major class relief after a string of attempts in the Graduate; playable in Pick 4.

Race 8: Kindergarten 2YO C&G Trot – Survivor 7

(10) JIMDOUGIE ARMITAGE caught my eye in his lone qualifier here and then was a very good second in his debut at The Meadows. In that race he left, was shuffled back to fourth and then battled gamely racing uncovered. The outside post isn’t ideal but could provide opportunity for value. (1) CAPTAIN KENNY J rated and sprinted to win his first career start. He’s probably the one to beat but far from unstoppable. (7) RED STORM HANOVER was used some early and finished up steadily last time at The Meadows in a similar final time to the top pick; contender on best. (6) GUSTAV VASA broke leaving in his career debut. If you liked him then at 3-1 he’s certainly worth considering at a much better price.

Race 9: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L2 $3,000) in last 5/TM 77.5 (NW L2 79.51) or less/Opt. $12,500 Clm.

(4) P L SAPPHIRE hasn’t been seen in seven weeks but you have to be encouraged by the qualifier where she sat the pocket and kept up versus better while never really let out. Perhaps the change of trainer and scenery were just what the doctor ordered for this 4-year-old. (2) HL OLMAYA was a bit better with Lasix added and now Bartlett joins the team; worth serious consideration. (1) GO LONG has found his groove of late and Carter gets along with him nicely. (9) EDEN ONTHEHILL is another who has missed some time and debuts for a new barn. He was a 1:52 4/5 winner at Mohawk in 2025.

Race 10: Kindergarten 2YO Filly Pace - $50K GTD Pick 4

(3) LOVE SOMEBODY has been a victim of circumstance in her two starts this year and I can see her appreciating the switch to the big track. (5) JK SIMCHA dropped a couple of seconds in her last qualifier. This barn tends to send them out ready to roll. (6) CARMINA HANOVER sprinted home in 26 4/5 in her most recent morning mile. That late speed is an indication that she is ready for prime time and Tetrick chose her over my top pick.

Race 11: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,250) in last 5/TM 83.5 (NW 2L4 85.5) or less

(4) PRINCESS STELLA missed 28 days between starts so I can’t hold the last performance against her. Four-year-old has been tackling better and now makes her first stop at Club Med. (3) ALWAYSWITHYOU went a huge mile here two starts back and was racing well over the track in her prior two starts. (8) HERS HUNGRY gets along with Zeron and he sent her down the road at Philly. She’s certainly a fit here.

Race 12: Kindergarten 2YO Filly Trot

(4) ANABELLA overcame an early miscue to trot in 1:56 2/5 in her debut. She’s not the biggest filly in the world but there is some GO in her engine. (8) HL KAPARA has displayed a strong closing kick in the morning. Main issue tonight is the outside draw. (1) REDBOTTOMROYALTY wasn’t bad in her start at Philly. Will she drop time stretching out to the bigger oval?

Race 13: Kindergarten 2YO C&G Pace - $3 Pick 3

(1) WISHAWAVE qualified like he is something special and he went out and proved it with a game victory to start the year. He’ll be 1-5 in here and rightfully so. (5) NIMBLE HANOVER was just even in his debut but it isn’t hard to see him dropping a second or two here and being a major factor in the exacta. (2) REFLECTOR kept up in a quick mile last week and maybe that will tighten him up for a good mile here.

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Race 14: Kindergarten 2YO C&G Trot - $5 Late Double

(10) MYSTIC WAVE finished up his lone qualifier quite willingly in what was a sneaky-good performance. We should get a sweet price on him here from post 10 for a barn that knows how to have them ready. (6) SEVEN PLEDGES qualified very nicely in two starts off a helmet but didn’t do as well on the engine in his debut. I suspect we’ll get slightly different tactics now and perhaps a better showing. (1) SOUTHERN HANOVER moves inside after a decent debut mile; more now?

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

(8) ALMOST KAREN got along smartly with Bartlett when they hooked up for a win in this class two starts back; repeat very possible. (2) COUNTRY DANCING owns three straight second-place finishes in this TM68 condition. (1) PRINCESS AMERICA won in her last start in this class but in a much slower time.