Meadowlands

Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 7/8

Derick Giwner|Jul 06, 2022

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 215-68-50-29 / $399.00 (-$31.00)

BEST BETS: 17-11-1-2 / $42.50 (+8.50)

SPOT PLAYS: 16-3-6-1 / $11.00 (-$21.00)

BEST BET: TAKEN CONTROL (4th)

SPOT PLAY: J-S JASPER (2nd)

Race 1: NJ Sire Stakes 2YO C&G Trot - Pick 5

(3) DIRE STRAITS was game as could be in his opening round win and stamped himself as perhaps the horse to beat in this division. Muscle Hill colt has a serious motor. (7) UPSTAGED did nothing wrong in his first-round victory. If the top one regresses or he steps up, a win is possible. (2) CELEBRITY BAMBINO chased home #7 last time but could certainly improve in start two.

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Race 2: Non-winners $3,000 in last 5 or 2 races in 2021-22/TM 76.5 or less

(6) J-S JASPER should be able to cruise to the front in this dull field and wire them. (7) FIX-IT-UP qualified back well and perhaps Team Bongiorno has this guy figured out now. (1) MARVELOUSTRIX does her best work in soft spots like this one.

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Race 3: 2YO Filly Trot - Survivor 7

(5) IF THE SHOE FITS looked very sharp winning her last qualifier and despite the fast time, you may get a decent price due to the presence of #3. (1) BOND was scratched-sick out of a sire stakes but drops right back in the box. Her lone qualifier was very good. (3) IN ITALIAN is a full sister to Atlanta who has done nothing wrong in the morning. That said, I fear a short price given her yearling price tag and sibling connection.

Race 4: Non-winners $3,000 in last 5/TM 76.5 (NW L3/5 77/77.5) or less

(2) TAKEN CONTROL raced very well from the back last time in her first start for this barn. Four-year-old moves to an inside post and I'm expecting a new lifetime mark. (6) MG’S BEST ERA EVA has raced well in each start this year with the trainer in the bike. Switch to Callahan should only make her faster. (5) BRUSH N CRUSH exits a series with many sharp foes but catches a couple of potential tough ones in here as well. Yannick driving might lead to underlaid odds.

Race 5: GSY 1 Pace

(5) ALWAYS A FORCE came up a bit short from an outside post after missing more than two months of action. Veteran should be firing off the gate and sharper this week. (4) ART HISTORY is a classy old guy who certainly lands in a soft spot and picks up a capable pilot. (8) PETER PUMPKINEATER is capable of firing off the gate as he has done in the past in this class.

Race 6: Non-winners $7,500 (NW 2L5 $8,250) in last 5/TM 82.5 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(1) ALKIPPE certainly rolled through a series for cheaper horses and is clearly in career form. I'll roll the dice with her one time. (6) COUSIN MARY is far and away the class of the field and she's supposed to beat these. (2) KATHY’S MOMENT paces in 1:51 seemingly every week. With any decent trip she can threaten.

Race 7: GSY 1 Pace

(9) SCRAPPIN GOLD has been good in consecutive starts and doesn't seem to mind taking some air on the rim. (4) SUNSHINE'S FINEST is clearly sharp but must extend that run into the amateur ranks with a driver that only has one win on the year. (7) VINTAGE GAL goes out for the top amateur this year and this looks like a bit of a class drop.

Race 8: Non-winners 2/4 (NW L3 5) races or $20,000 life - Pick 6

(7) CODE CRACKER caught some stiff competition last time. This looks like a spot where he can gun to the front and go a long way. (6) BOARDWALK BET has looked good in both starts this year and is another with early speed to get into play. (5) THE CLAW has been facing similar tough company as the top pick but has more to prove in terms of whether he is fast enough.

Race 9: NJ Sire Stakes 2YO C&G Pace

(3) LIFES A PUZZLE went a monster mile in his debut and you simply don't see Tetrick show one off in fast time unless they are simply THAT talented. (1) HANDLELIKEAPORSCHE made a huge move and wound up second behind the top pick last time; main danger. (4) VOUKEFALAS has displayed ability in each on-track experience but will need more if the top one brings his best.

Race 10: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L3 $5,500) in last 5/TM 81.56 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(4) STRAIGHT TALK wasn't put in play on the class drop last week from post 10. Now he steps down another level and gets a good post; wake-up time! (7) LITERL LAD HANOVER is going to pop a big mile sooner or later. (2) SAYING GRACE N has a bit of class and on his best he could be involved.

Race 11: NJ Sire Stakes 2YO C&G Trot

(9) OH WELL went a huge mile in defeat last time and anything close to that effort would make this son of Muscle Hill very tough to beat. (1) POINT OF PERFECT chased very nicely in his debut; main danger. (4) WALLANDAR was part of the pace before tiring in his debut. He should learn something from that experience.

Race 12: Non-winners $3,000 in last 5 or 2 races in 2021-22/TM 76.5 (NW L3/5 77.3/77.65) or less

(7) WILLTOWIN HANOVER arrived last week and raced very well to be second. Against a soft group she should have a big shot. (4) SHOEMAKER HANOVER has been racing well and now adds a catch-driver to the team. (2) NATURAL KEMP has finished second or third in each of his last three tries at this level.

Race 13: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5 or TM 79.15 or less/NW $10,000 or TM 84.6 or less draw inside

(8) SERMON hasn't been out in four weeks but he freefalls in class to face a field he's supposed to handle. I'd need at least 3-1 to take a shot. (2) CELEBRATE WITH ME moves back to the inside of the gate where she can save ground and make one move. (4) SHINKANSEN reunites with Dunn. (7) CRYSTAL FASHION is a multi-millionaire that hasn't been seen since February. His best is too much for these, but you have to think he'll need a start or two.