Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 8/7/26

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 385-136-65-37 / $749.30 (-$20.70)

BEST BETS: 26-17-2-2 / $48.80 (-$3.20)

SPOT PLAYS: 27-8-3-5 / $47.80 (-$6.20)

BEST BET: AINTMYFIRSTRO DEO (3rd)

SPOT PLAY: ASTON KEMP (7th)

RACE 1: Hambletonian Amateur Drivers - Pick 5

(6) BRAVE BY DESIGN added hobbles last week and did a 180, leaving the gate and finishing well for the win. He gets an amateur who doesn’t mind leaving the gate hard and should be in position. (8) CLASSIC PICKLE gets a much younger driver this week and one who is known for being aggressive in this series. Three-year-old figures to be put in play. (10) MAMY WATA won’t be on many tickets but could have a say if the action gets wild on the front. She’s fast enough to win and may just get the right setup.

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Race 2: Kindergarten 2YO Filly Pace

(4) MIDWIND MERCEDES responded nicely when asked and fended off a foe with dead aim in her most recent qualifier. She dropped more than three seconds off her first morning mile and if she shows similar gains, watch out! (5) JK SIMCHA rated a very soft half before blazing a 54 2/5 last half under encouragement in her debut. She’s clearly going to be a player. (1) REAL CHOICE has hit the ticket in all three starts. Will she go faster on the mile track?

Race 3: $180K NJ Sire Stakes 2YO C&G Pace Platinum Final

(2) AINTMYFIRSTRO DEO has swept through this series and won from on and off the pace. He’ll be 1-5 here and rightfully so. (1) VELVET DITCH could elect to fire off the gate and see if he can wire this field but more likely will accept his fate as second best and complete a $3.20 exacta. (3) WE WANT EAZY seems maxed out at getting the show spot.

Race 4: Kindergarten 2YO Filly Trot - Pick 6

(2) ATHENA’S GIRL is not without talent and against a field with no clear standout, I’ll take a shot at a good price that the trotting hobbles right the ship. (6) LOVE’S PASSION is the fastest horse on paper but one that can’t seem to finish her miles. Does the softer competition make the difference? (1) SIP AWAY can get into the exotics if she minds her manners this week.

Race 5: $4K NJ Sire Stakes 2YO Filly Trot Silver Final

(4) MRS RATTIGAN took an early tuck and settled for a smaller award last time with just $10K on the line. I have to believe Miller will push hard for the front this week and not allow a soft pace. (1) OLBIA has been right there at the wire in all three Silver starts and looms a major threat once again. (5) DAY ONE DANDY was allowed to coast alone on the engine last time and the result was a win. The path seems unlikely to be that smooth tonight.

Race 6: Continentalvictory 3YO Filly Trot - $50K GTD Pick 4

None of these jump off the page for me but I respect the company that (5) SUGAR PACKET has been keeping and give her the call to get brave versus this group. (2) MY PHILOMENE had no trouble in her first start for Smedshammer even if maybe she was a smidge wobbly in the lane. The mile track could suit her. (3) SPARKS will be gunning to the front as usual and it’s interesting that Gingras was listed on three other horses but landed here. (7) CHANT has been good since joining the Burke barn. Will she drop time on the big track?

Race 7: $40K NJ Sire Stakes 2YO C&G Trot Silver Final

(6) ASTON KEMP did what he could last week but #7 got the jump on him and Bongiorno seemed resigned to be second. Now in his third career start I can see him opening him up a bit more. (2) MAXMAN has won two straight at nice prices but that is unlikely here. (9) CALOOCH was loaded with trot in his first start for the new barn. The post is the only issue as he seemingly has no early speed. (4) DELTA shows a mile two back that will probably win this race. (7) WYOMING has raced well in both starts and is another contender in this wide-open race.

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

(4) BAROLO responded very nicely when asked in his lone qualifier and then was shut down in the late stages of the mile. I saw enough to take a swing as long as we can get 3-1 or higher. (6) SEVEN PLEDGES has displayed flashes of ability thus far. Chasing a slow half did him in most recently. (5) LINCOLN KRONOS has been keeping very good company in the Platinum ranks of the NJSS. We should see what he has in the tank here with Gingras joining the team.

Race 9: Muscle Hill 3YO C&G Trot

(5) MOTHER’S MONI was a victim of the pace scenario in his Meadowlands start two back. I’d also argue that it was a slightly better field. He should have every chance tonight. (6) GUSTAV stopped on the lead last time but I can forgive it considering he hadn’t raced in five weeks. (8) HIGHBALL HANOVER has two overnight wins sandwiching a break in the Zweig. This spot doesn’t look too difficult if he behaves.

Race 10: $225K NJ Sire Stakes 2YO Filly Trot Platinum Final - $50K GTD Pick 4

(4) BUTTERFLY EFFECT was spooked at the quarter and lost any chance of involvement in the race. She’s better than her winless record would have you think, even if McCarthy chose #1, and adds Lasix tonight. (9) PERFECT HOPE DEO has her work cut out for her from post nine but I appreciate that she was able to split foes for the win last time. (2) STERL THE PEARL has plenty of early speed and just needs to find a way to fend everyone off. (8) PERFECT BODY was straighter in the stretch last time but couldn’t get the win. The outside post won’t help her chances.

Race 11: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace

(1) BLUE COLLAR MAN gets into a soft spot and won’t have to work very hard to secure at worst a pocket trip. Hopefully this Italian pilot can get the job done. (7) CONTROL GROUP seems likely to fire out but it is hard to say for sure with a new driver at the helm. (2) SEIZE CONTROL moves to the inside of the gate and may race better than his lines indicate. (5) MEET THE CREEPER returns here versus a softer group of amateur foes.

Race 12: $20,000-$25,000 Claiming Handicap - $3 Pick 3

(7) J M MANDAMIN got the job done in this class last time and there is no reason he can’t repeat. (3) CAPTAIN UP gets major post relief tonight and should have a fighting chance at fair odds. (9) CURBSIDE PICKUP is a mainstay in this class and one who always has a big win chance.

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Race 13: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace

(4) ROCK ON LINE charged home last week to just miss a win. In a field with unknown Italian drivers and a few early speed players, this race could set up nicely for him. (7) MARSHALL ZHUKOV has been a victim of trip and circumstance lately. He’s a contender at big odds. (8) BUGABOO LOU came from the NJ Turnpike to lose by just a nose in his last start. He’s going to be bet heavy and has a huge chance. (10) A LITTLE KICK is a capable horse in a winnable spot if Baker can navigate post 10.

Race 14: 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

(8) GREENMA dropped out of stakes action into this class and raced very well with Lasix added. He can build off that performance. (7) CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS has improved with hobbles but can’t seem to get over the top. (2) BENNY J should be able to cruise to the front and sit close to the action from this post. I can look past the break last time. (10) OUTSIDE THE FIRE returns from Canada. He’s seen the winner’s circle here many times.