Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 10/17/26

FALL MEET STATS: 70-25-10-17 / $103.70 (-$36.30)

BEST BETS: 4-1-1-1 / $4.20 (-$3.80)

SPOT PLAYS: 5-2-0-0 / $8.20 (-$1.80)

BEST BET: MASSIVE MATTER (14th)

SPOT PLAY: ALMOST KAREN (4th)

Race 1: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.03) or less - Pick 5

A number of the horses on this card have missed three, four, five or even eight weeks, so there is going to be a bit of a guessing game in terms of form. (4) PAPI’S CRUSH had an eight-week break between starts but at least got a tour of the track at Philly to get ready for this engagement. Three-year-old already has a win in the class and should be forwardly placed. (1) QUEEN SUN RYSER has been racing well at Monticello, including a second on Monday. She makes sense in this spot and might be the chalk. (3) DREAM PILLAR hasn’t been seen in five weeks but has proven capable in this condition.

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

(4) SCARY TERRY was in over his head in the Bluegrass and while in a perfect world he wouldn’t facing older foes tonight, he still seems to be in a good spot and should be showing early speed. (8) GONE HUNTING left in 26 3/5 and came home in 27 2/5 to win at Vernon last weekend. That was a promising effort, especially considering it was his first pari-mutuel mile in two months. (6) THISBEESTINGS DEO is a capable horse but not one I’m excited about playing as one of the chalks.

Race 3: $20,000-$25,000 Claiming Handicap - Pick 6

(4) KOMODO BEACH drips in claiming price by 33% and perhaps more importantly returns to the track where he’s had half of his four wins this year. He could be a bit of a sneaky price play given his recent form. (6) HUNT FOR CASH hasn’t lost in quite some time and that streak alone could make him the favorite. That said, going 1:54 at Batavia and 1:51 here are very different things. He hasn’t been on a mile track since January. (1) MIKI RAY just missed in this class back in September and should be in good position from the inside post in a short field.

Race 4: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2/L4 69/70) or less

(5) ALMOST KAREN is comfortable in this class when she doesn’t have to work too hard early and I don’t see much speed to her inside. While racing in a higher class last year after the same amount of missed time, she got stuck in an outside post in start one but won from a better spot in start two. (7) PHELHON is certainly capable of firing off the gate and wiring this field. (6) SQUANKUM LADY was used and missed by less than a length in her last try in this class about a month ago.

Race 5: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L2 79.5) or less

(10) GOOD ROCKIN doesn’t face the best field in the world and the group certainly seems to lack a ton of early speed. I can see this guy firing out and going a long way. (3) WARRAWEE YANKEE certainly fits in this class and I expect he’ll be forwardly placed as well. The big question is readiness after the five weeks off. (5) SERGEANT WALT hasn’t been able to fire on the half at Yonkers but does show a win in the class here back in August. (2) MARSHALL ZHUKOV has been racing rather well without many wins to show for it; adds Lasix. (8) WHAMMER JAMMER is another returning from five weeks on the sidelines. This guy can take plenty of air.

Race 6: Renaissance 2YO Filly Pace - Pick 4

(6) PERFECT HOPE DEO was used in her last couple of miles and I can see her benefiting from the time on the sidelines. (1) PERFECT BODY is clearly the horse to beat but one that sometimes doesn’t bring her best mile at shorter prices. She’s hard to toss or love. (3) MISS DOLCE was racing ok at The Red Mile and perhaps the surface change here will perk her up a bit more.

Race 7: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW L2/2L4 85.5/85.82) or less

(4) FEARFUL INTENT drops down, has early speed and class. Unlike many of these, he also has a recent line. This looks like a winning spot. (7) GALANTE A returns to the big track in a class where he scored three starts back. (1) MASTER CHARLES A can fire out from the inside and get into the exotics.

Race 8: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2 82.5) or less - Pick 5

(5) EUPHORIA N was racing well when last here in this class (ignore the seventh when used hard early) and lands the track’s top driver tonight. (6) AMERICAN MERCURY is a classy old guy who was sharp before the break and could certainly benefit from a little time away. (8) DREAMLANDCAPPUCINO wasn’t bad in his debut for this barn and I can see him building off that mile. (4) DEAN B HANOVER should be pushing away from the gate and land in good position to win. That said, he’s winless on the year.

Race 9: Open II Pace

(6) CHRISTOPHER DANCE N was rolling along before getting used to a 53 1/5 half at Pocono last time. This is a great spot for him to shine. (3) VOUKEFALAS is better on the big track in my opinion, and he should benefit from the change after a break at Yonkers. (4) GORGEOUS BIG GUY has a good record on the bigger track at Hoosier and we get to see what he can accomplish in his Big M debut.

Race 10: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L2 $12,500) or 8 races (NW L2 9) races life/TM 86.5 (NW L2 88.5) or less - Pick 4

(7) WATER SPORTS TEEN is a horse that does some of his best work when he can roll on the engine. With a six-week break in action he should be very fresh and perhaps fired up to roll a big mile. (2) BETTORS DONTTELL has been in this barn for three starts and won the only time he got a decent post. (6) APOCALYPSEBLUECHIP takes on older foes but is certainly fast enough to handle the task. He’s been facing some good horses lately including Melillo.

Race 11: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less

There doesn’t appear to be much early speed signed on to this race and that could play into the hands of (1) SONO CONFUSO. Five-year-old finds a soft spot and I think this barn will recognize that and have him ready. (4) MIDNIGHT THUNDER picked up a win in this class as the odds-on favorite before the track went on a short hiatus. He’s one of many from this barn well-spotted tonight. (7) THE OPENER was a good second behind #4 when last here and won the start before over this track.

Race 12: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less

(2) TOTO HANOVER has a couple of starts back now after eight months on the sidelines. Seven-year-old is no worldbeater but this is a cheap spot where he’ll have every opportunity to shine. (1) REVOLVER N has the inside speed to stick very close to the frontend action. His best puts him in the win picture. (4) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING won in this class two starts back and had no shot last time from post seven at Yonkers.

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Race 13: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 5/TM 80.5 (NW L2 82.5) or less - $3 Pick 3

(3) FEELGOOD VOLO had no chance in his debut for this barn when starting from post seven at Yonkers. Notice that his last three starts on bigger tracks resulted in two wins and a second. (1) HONOLUGOO was doing good work when last seen here. The only negative is his lack of early speed. (5) VELOCIRAPTOR was better with Yogi driving despite starting from post eight at Pocono last time.

Race 14: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.51) or less - $5 Late Double

(3) MASSIVE MATTER picks up a catch-driver and drops to a career low in terms of class level. Expect him to take care of business. (4) NICCOLO was a winner three starts back when last here in this class. (2) MASSTER BLUE has been a consistent check getter.

Race 15: Trackmaster 68 (NW L2/L4 69/70) or less

(3) DISCO DANCER has six wins on the year compared to nine for the rest of the field combined. Four-year-old was sharp before the break and qualified back nicely. (1) BOURBONS COURAGE certainly has a shot but will be overbet despite being winless in years. (4) STONE COLD SAVAGE has proven capable of getting into the number in this class, sometimes at a big price.