Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 9/4/26

FALL MEET STATS: 28-12-3-6 / $50.90 (-$5.10)

BEST BETS: 1-0-1-0 / $0.00 (-$2.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 2-1-0-0 / $4.40 (+$0.40)

BEST BET: APEX (8th)

SPOT PLAY: SOUTHWIND FARGO (7th)

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

(2) PERFECT BODY made a miscue at the start last week and her night was quickly over. She’s the best in this field if she minds her manners. (7) BUTTERFLY EFFECT could offer some value after missing four weeks of action. Notice her debut on the year was solid off the bench. (9) ANA CAROLINA responded to a conservative steer with a strong finish last time. Filly seems to be coming to form.

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Race 2: 2YO C&G Pace

(2) FREE AGENT was a solid second best behind Rose Run Cowboy on Sunday and that one would be odds-on here for sure. This guy’s lone win came on a bigger track at Mohawk and he should be in good position here. (5) WE WANT EAZY could show early speed here and set the pace ahead of his stablemate top pick. (3) BC’S ODDS ON has rallied nicely in every career start and only needs a decent pace and clean trip to threaten.

Race 3: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Trot Elim - Survivor 7

(5) DANDELION WINE chased perhaps the best in this division in Wall Of Fame in the NJSS and understandably couldn’t find a win. She comes back from a four-week rest for a barn that can send them ready to fire and should be tough here. (7) GRANDIFLORA made an early miscue followed by a giant move before tiring last time. I expect we’ll be seeing early speed here as only the top three will make the final. (1) RIO DE JANEIRO has turned the corner in her last two starts but I do think the last mile looks better on paper than reality.

Race 4: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Pace Elim - Pick 4

(5) PERFECT HOPE DEO has back-to-back down the road victories on her card and that scenario seems quite likely again. (2) STERL THE PEARL chased the top pick for second money a week ago; main danger. (6) WENDY J STINGS is likely to be raced a bit more conservatively here with the top pick leaving to her inside. The new tactics along with reuniting with Dunn could benefit her.

Race 5: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Trot Elim

There are no clear standouts in this field so I’ll take a stab with (2) SEVEN SEAGRAMS. She picked up some confidence last time and really had no shot in her one start on this track from an outside post. (3) ONEIROMANCER gets post relief this week in just her fourth career start and Svanstedt may try new tactics. (6) SPECIAL ORCHID changes barns off her best two miles. The only negative is she shows no early speed and that could mean she’ll have to pass them all. (7) ORCHESTRA has missed four weeks but was facing tougher when last seen.

Race 6: Miss Versatility Mare Trot (Leg 4) - Pick 5

(3) WALSPEA won the Steele Memorial in her last start here and can’t be faulted for the Yonkers loss as the trip was far from ideal. She should be hustled to the top here and be sitting a winning trip. (2) TACTICAL MONI was sharp in her debut for the new barn four weeks ago. Four-year-old has plenty of ability but I’m not sure she’ll be unleashed in this spot. (11) CONVERSANO has been second twice in this series and while the second tier isn’t great, she does get to start behind a mare with early zip.

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

(6) SOUTHWIND FARGO made an uncharacteristic break last time at Pocono and I’m not going to hold it against him. There is opportunity here to get this guy at a price. (5) DIABOLIC HILL had every chance to win and simply couldn’t get his nose up last time with Lasix added. My confidence is down again but it’s impossible to think he won’t get a big piece of this exotic money. (7) NIX NACKEN is probably the best horse in the field with a clean trip. I’m not sure how it will work out for him with early speed to his inside and outside.

Race 8: NJ Classic 3YO C&G Trot Elim - $10,673 Pick 6 Carryover

(3) APEX makes his first start since winning the Hambletonian in the fastest time in the race’s history. Well-bred colt is going to win tonight at 1-9 barring something crazy happening. (8) KING OF THE WIND hasn’t been here in some time but raced very well for second that night. Lasix is added here and maybe that will help his staying power. (1) GUSTAV is another one getting Lasix. New trainer Silva seems to have gotten some confidence into him with a second last time.

Race 9: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Trot Elim

(1) WALL OF FAME is another 1-9 shot that is impossible to pick against. She is perfect in six starts and has displayed no signs of weakness. (3) EMMA DEO qualified with hobbles and had no trouble. If that cures her issues, she could be an intriguing exacta partner for the top pick. (5) LOVE’S PASSION is going to be the clear second choice in the wagering after she was done in by a tough trip last time in the Peaceful Way.

Race 10: NJ Classic 2YO C&G Trot Elim - Pick 4

(9) LIFETIME DREAMER has multiple victories that say he simply too fast for this group. The outside post is the only issue. (2) PUL BIBER has some natural ability and perhaps the five weeks off has cured his issues. (4) BENTLEY BLUE CHIP has come to life in his last two starts.

Race 11: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.05) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm.

(4) HELEN BACK AGAIN is sharp and will be sitting no worse than second; edge in a somewhat win shy field. (1) QUEEN SUN RYSER chased the top pick for second two starts back. She should be in contention again. (9) THAT’SMYTYPE qualified back well in her return to a barn she used to be in a couple of years ago. The post stinks but I wouldn’t be shocked if she made an impact.

Race 12: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2/L4 76.5/76.63) or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm. - $3 Pick 3

(7) PERFECT AND SWEET wasn’t good enough in start one for this barn but can certainly improve. She adds Lasix and had three weeks off before her last race. (5) PRINCESS ARONA reunites with Beckwith, who rode her down the road the last time they hooked up. (4) KNOCK TWICE has been good from off the pace lately and wouldn’t be a shock here by any means.

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Race 13: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 $30,000) life/2YO or Maidens draw inside - $5 Late Double

(7) TRILLION TIMES has been fairly consistent over the track and seems worth a shot in a field where none of them look very enticing. (3) SEVENATO and (4) CHANT have been keeping better company in NYSS races but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are going to dominate here.

Race 14: Trackmaster 68 (NW L4 69.15) or less

Not much form in this group. (1) THANEEYA gets away from the outside of the gate and should be much closer to the action; Bartlett drives this week! (4) WOODMERE LEAH flashed speed last time and came up second best. I’d expect to see early zip again versus this blank field. (9) ALMOST KAREN is capable of firing out at times; needs a smoother trip from post nine.