Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 9/1

FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 359-121-66-50 / $645.50 (-$74.50)

BEST BETS: 26-15-3-1 / $53.50 (+$1.50)

SPOT PLAYS: 26-7-7-1 / $58.00 (+$6.00)

BEST BET: OH WELL (3^rd)

SPOT PLAY: HANKINS HANOVER (7^th)

Race 1: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Trot Elim - Pick 5

(2) SOIREE HANOVER and (7) SUNKIST BEAUTY are the clear standouts in this field, but the former hasn't started since August 5 and the latter scratched out of the Peaceful Way. Both trainers tend to send them ready and finishing in the top two would be very beneficial in terms of post, so expect both to be on "GO". (4) MISS I LA has been right there often enough; needs to get faster.

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Race 2: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $23,000 life/NW 2YOs and Maidens draw inside

(7) FACE THE Z TAM raced well on the trainer change and now heads east for Team Miller. She seems like the fastest filly in the field. (6) CAVIART DAVIA qualified back reasonably well but hasn't exactly been a win machine. (5) TREACHEROUSDAME has been racing well. Can she pick up her speed on the big track?

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Race 3: NJ Classic 3YO C&G Trot Elim – Survivor 7

(3) OH WELL didn’t seem to enjoy the paddock turn at Pocono. He's the best horse in this race and I expect Tetrick to have him forwardly placed to avoid trouble in a mostly sketchy field. (1) CELEBRITY BAMBINO hasn't been very good on the lead lately. Gingras will push away and probably hope to sit behind the top pick. (5) CHALLENGER seems fast enough to keep up but nowhere near good enough to beat the top pair.

Race 4: NJ Classic 2YO C&G Trot Elim

(6) MY WAY is the fastest horse on paper. Coming off a race with a break and showing another break a few starts prior is a concern, so don't take an odds-on price. (9) STORMCLOUDFASHION has some ability but needs to be put in play. He's worth a look at 4-1 or higher. (2) MR GRANT has some confidence now after the win at Pocono.

Race 5: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Trot Elim

(9) CALATRAVA has ability but hasn't put it all together quite yet. Notice that her competition tonight is much softer than who she faced in her debut back in July. (4) CHAPARMBRO has been prepping for this debut for months and that (along with Sears driving) leads me to believe that she's ready for action. (2) WARRAWEE MICHELLE owns the fastest win but hasn't raced in four weeks.

Race 6: NJ Classic 3YO C&G Trot Elim - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) AIR POWER might be worth a flyer here at the right price. Melander trainee was once the King of the division and his best is clearly good enough. (6) UP YOUR DEO is the horse to beat but not one I'm running to the windows to bet at odds-on. (3) LITTLE EXPENSIVE won for fun last time. This group is much, much better.

Race 7: NJ Classic 2YO C&G Trot Elim

(8) HANKINS HANOVER was a bit disappointing in the NJSS final, though he did have to come first-over. The tightener at Philly last time was perfect and I expect he'll be put in play early here to avoid too much traffic and secure a good post for next week's big-money event. (6) SIG SAUER is clearly the horse to beat but may take a soft approach tonight and looks for a trip at low odds. (2) MOSQUITO won his only start. Qualifier was just ok as #6 had him all the way; using underneath.

Race 8: Non-winners $12,500 in last 4/TM 86.5 (NW L2/2L4 87/87.5) or less - Pick 6

(2) BELLISIMA HANOVER finally got her first win of the year last time. Is she now ready to show what she can do as a 3-year-old or did she fire her best as a rookie? (6) DOUGS BABE A makes her second start back off the bench and seems to have landed in a favorable spot. (4) TREACHEROUS DRAGON is another looking for past form. It's in there somewhere.

Race 9: NJ Classic 2YO C&G Pace Elim

(10) NEWSROOM really doesn't have to work hard if Miller doesn't want to since the top nine make the final, but this colt is way faster than these and is unlikely to take back to last. (4) WISH YOU WELL has raced very well just about every start; cold exacta. (5) MR THREE O FIVE has the early speed to head to the top and he should get a good piece of the pie.

Race 10: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Pace Elim - $50K GTD Pick 4

(3) ROCKET DEO was either a bit green or just didn't like the final turn in her 2023 debut. Well-bred filly seems to have some ability and should take to the big track nicely. (1) ODDS ON STENO is another filly with talent. Will tonight be the time she gets over the top after three seconds. (7) MIRACULOUS DEO has the early speed to make the top; using underneath.

Race 11: NJ Classic 3YO Filly Trot Elim

(7) CYBERSPACE rolled down the road last time and he could surprise here as others look to "just" make the final. (5) BLONDE BOMBSHELL found renewed life on Lasix before running into better last time. This field is right up her alley. (8) TACTICAL MOUNDS has won three straight and is the one to beat, but I’m not sure she's going to be going all-out at the start so a trip is required. (4) QUICK STOP has some ability but owns a number of losses to others in here.

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Race 12: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Pace Elim

(3) PULP FICTION is undefeated in three career races and while I don't view her as a lock, she does have a clear tactical edge tonight on (4) TARRIFIC, who has been racing from off the pace thus far. If they let the former "loose" that could change my view of the outcome. (5) PULL THROUGH picked up her speed on the trainer change and perhaps she'll show more in her second try for these connections.

Race 13: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Trot Elim

(2) WALCANGO draws in a perfect spot to settle in and pounce late, a style that worked much better for her than being on the lead last time. (9) BUY A ROUND is clearly the horse to beat but one that has to figure out a trip from the outside post at potentially short odds. (3) SWEET SECRET got her act together with hobbles added and might be worth a play here at fair odds. (1) MARG IN CHARGE can stick close and get into the low exotics.