Meadowlands: Analysis for Friday 9/8

MEET STATS: 27-9-4-5 / $34.80 (-$19.20)

BEST BETS: 2-2-0-0 / $7.00 (+$3.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 2-0-1-0 / $0.00 (-$4.00)

BEST BET: SIG SAUER (10^th)

SPOT PLAY: AIR POWER (11^th)

Race 1: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 or 2YO 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 or 2YO $30,000) life - Pick 5

(5) FACE THE Z TAM has been second best in her last two tries but really didn't race badly in either start. Miller should get her to the front easily her and have every chance to pick up that elusive win. (6) SARASOTA HANOVER is probably on par with the top pick in terms of talent. If I thought Zeron was going to show early speed with her my opinion would be higher. (3) RUFFIAN raced better on the switch to the big track but still needs to find a second to compete with the top two.

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Race 2: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 life/Maidens draw inside

(3) SMART SCHOONER started off his career nicely before running into a breaking issue. He comes off a clean qualifier now and seems back on track. (5) EDVARD PALEMA S certainly has the early speed to make the top without issue and he might be able to steal the race with soft fractions. (4) CHEZACTIC chased a nice filly in his qualifier, broke his prior start and was facing much better before that. He can contend here on best.

Race 3: Miss Versatility Open Mare Trot - Survivor 7

(2) FASHION SCHOONER gets away from the inside post, which probably did no favors for a mare who gets as fired up as her. Tetrick can let her have her own way here as she is much the best. (3) RAISED BY LINDY got some confidence last time and should be chasing the top pick home late. (1) DREAMONHIGH can go a big mile but her best isn't nearly as good as the best from those picked higher.

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

(4) THINKER MONKEY hasn't quite lived up to his $500K price tag thus far but could get brave against this field. Tetrick will likely put him on the engine and try to wire them. (2) SEVEN REPS had no shot from post nine last week but did get a useful clean line; can build on that. (7) REGGIANITO displayed some signs of life last weekend and might be able to take another step forward.

Race 5: Non-winners $3,000 (NW L2 $3,300) in last 4/TM 77.5 (NW L2/2L4 78/78.75) or less

(5) TRANS MEANIE returns to The Meadowlands and a spot where she could conceivably dart to the lead and control the action or sit the pocket. This is a good spot for her in what is a wide-open race. (3) SHES SO SWEET has come back well and now they switch this closer to the big track in the hope that it will suit her better. (1) SKATEBOARD CHIC has been racing well and owns a win over the surface. (6) ALLAMBIE A was a good second in this class back in late July.

Race 6: NJ Classic 2YO C&G Pace Final - $50K GTD Pick 4

(5) NEWSROOM looked beat last week and somehow found more to get the victory. Talented Always B Miki colt had every right to need the start after missing four weeks and can dominate here. (10) WISH YOU WELL is the horse that almost downed the top pick last time and you may get some value on him here from the outside post. (4) MR THREE O FIVE got a conservative steer and finished evenly with no shot. Expect Gingras to be going forward here to set up a favorable trip.

Race 7: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Trot Consolation

(8) COCKTAIL WITHAKICK went a very nice steady mile with Sarah Svanstedt in the bike last time. While we don't know how good this daughter of Six Pack is quite yet I expect Ake to be firing off the gate this week versus an inferior field. (2) VALENTINA RICHIE seems to be over her breaking issues but had no shot from post 10 last week; wakeup possible. (5) FANCY NANCY LOPEZ was coming off a month vacation and faced the best elimination group. She can be sharper now.

Race 8: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Trot Final - Pick 6

While this is a very competitive and talented group, I do think (3) BUY A ROUND has more than we've seen thus far. She seemed a bit short but still blew away her competition late in last week's elimination and should be even better now. (6) CHAPARMBRO displayed speed at both ends of her career debut mile and picked up a victory versus #2. Trainer Smedshammer has been patient with her and it might just be time for it to pay off. (1) SUNKIST BEAUTY has good acceleration and the ability to take some air; dangerous. (2) WARRAWEE MICHELLE has a chance but is certain to be an underlay with Dunn taking over the driving.

Race 9: NJ Classic 3YO Filly Trot Final

(8) SECRET VOLO is the best filly in this field and as long as Sears can avoid putting her on the lead she should prove tough. (10) TACTICAL MOUNDS had bad cover and motored home late. At first glance post 10 presents some issues because she seemingly doesn't possess early speed, but she really hasn't been in a spot with a big enough purse to test that trait. (6) TACTICAL PLANNER got a nice flat line last week from post 10 and perhaps she’s a much better filly with that start in hand. (4) QUICK STOP took advantage of the situation last time. I'm against her at 4-1 or less.

Race 10: NJ Classic 2YO C&G Trot Final - $50K GTD Pick 4

While some may've felt (1) SIG SAUER was in danger of losing last week, I'm not on that boat. McCarthy had him safely home and there is reason to think an even better performance is coming in his second start after missing four weeks. (3) SOUTHWIND METRIC was moving at a different speed than the competition in the stretch as he closed in on the top pick. This driver is in for the International Trot and already won a race at Yonkers this week. (5) MR GRANT seems to be getting better and better; big test tonight; Sears chose #8.

Race 11: NJ Classic 3YO C&G Trot Final

(2) AIR POWER was super in last week’s elimination as he tapped into the potential that saw him as the early Hambletonian favorite at one point. There is still a good chance we’ll be able to get a price on him one more time before everyone will jump on the bandwagon. (4) OH WELL was perhaps not on the top of his game last week but still got the job done. He’s the horse to beat. (3) UP YOUR DEO is capable of winning but for my money his best isn’t as good as the others on their best.

Race 12: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Pace Final

(2) PULP FICTION got away with a very soft half and just held on last time to remain undefeated. That said, I do think we might get a healthy price because of the diminishing margin, and it is worth considering that she had missed four weeks before that race. (4) ODDS ON STENO worked out a great trip and flew home for the score last week; big threat again. (1) TARRIFIC just missed to the top pick a week ago and certainly deserves some consideration.

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Race 13: NJ Classic 2YO Filly Pace Consolation

It is hard to get excited about any of these horses. I'll take a shot with (7) QUICK FIRE and hope McCarthy hustles her to the front like a few starts back. (6) MY SPECIAL EVENT has turned in two straight bad efforts but also owns some miles that would make her the one to beat in here. (2) MONSOON finally draws well after a series of outside posts, but she hardly looks like a killer on paper.

Race 14: Trackmaster 74 (NW 2L4 75) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm.

(7) WEST IS BEST finds a soft spot upon arrival from Philly. I can see this guy finding early speed this week. (4) HOWTOTRAINURDRAGON comes off a nice mile in the amateur ranks and certainly fits nicely in here. (5) BAD COLT & (1) TAPESTRY weren't exactly great here last week but they might be worth a second look.