Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 10/31/26

FALL MEET STATS: 85-30-12-20 / $125.90 (-$44.10)

BEST BETS: 5-2-1-1 / $7.60 (-$2.40)

SPOT PLAYS: 6-2-0-0 / $8.20 (-$3.80)

BEST BET: STARSTRUCK DREAMER (7th)

SPOT PLAY: CHECK OUT LOU IR (10th)

Race 1: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm. - Pick 5

(5) CARDS A FLYIN is a sharp horse moving into a winless barn. Most of the time horses keep their form in these instances and at least they picked a great spot for him. (7) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING did well to rally from last on Saturday after starting from post 10. He should be closer to the action now. (3) THE OPENER is another getting post relief. I can see him being put in play early if the warm-up goes well.

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Race 2: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(3) LOVETHEWAYYOULIE gets some key class relief and perhaps just as importantly moves way inside on the gate. Seven-year-old catches a soft field and can awaken. (2) MIKI ON THE RUN exits the amateur ranks and picks up a much better driver. (1) OODS ON BROWARD picks up Beckwith and is certainly worth some consideration.

Race 3: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2 82.5) or less - Pick 6

(1) STAY GROUNDED went off as the chalk in this class last time and was just even from off the pace. This looks like the perfect race to wait for the dust to settle and make a power brush. (2) GOLD GLOVE HANOVER was burnt to a crisp trying to leave last time. That shouldn’t be an issue from this post. (7) BOBCAT BAY is capable of beating much better than this group when on his game. He was used up in the pace most recently and just needs the right trip tonight.

Race 4: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW L2 85.5) or less

(2) IGNATIUS A keeps motoring along at age 12 and this race sets up nicely with plenty of outside speed to set up a patient approach. (5) XPERT has been very versatile. He was a good second last weekend despite missing almost four weeks. (8) ONEFORTHEROAD GB doesn’t race often but when he does the results are usually positive. (6) ALWAYS B GIBBY makes his second start back

Race 5: $20,000-$25,000 Claiming Handicap

(3) KOMODO BEACH is back in the Bongiorno barn where he has done a bunch of good work in this class in the past. (2) LMC PEANUTS WATCHN has won two straight in this class and is clearly a major player again. (4) TOTO HANOVER has found himself over his last two starts and now drops in for a tag to avoid too tough of a class. There is no reason he won’t race very well. (9) GALLIE GETAWAY has been racing well of late and now adds Dunn to the equation. My only hesitation for ranking him higher is that he’ll certainly be overbet.

Race 6: $125K Kindergarten 2YO Filly Trot Final - Pick 4

(6) ATHENA’S GIRL had to miss the Breeders Crown and now hasn’t raced for five weeks, but this barn is more than capable of getting her right for a stakes engagement. She could provide a hint of value due to the layoff and seemingly dull Mohawk Million line versus better. (5) DAY ONE DANDY had 55 days off before her last start where she was well behind (1) ORINOCO. She is better than that and should show much more now. The latter is hard to fault considering she has only been worse than second once in nine starts. That said, she broke two back and her gait wasn’t exactly flawless late last time. If she is pushed late, the results could be a mistake. (8) RIO DE JANEIRO has early speed and a good record, but there are many possible leavers to her inside that could hurt her win chances.

Race 7: $125K Kindergarten 2YO C&G Pace Final

(10) STARSTRUCK DREAMER was a solid second in the Breeders Crown and widely considered the divisional leader heading into that race. Even from post 10, there is no excuse for failure. (4) DEBONAIRE was also a good second last time following more than four weeks on the sidelines. Bulldog Hanover-sired colt adds Dunn to the team and can step up. (5) SEINE beat #4 last weekend and you know he’ll be put in play; another exotics candidate under the top pick.

Race 8: $125K Kindergarten 2YO Filly Pace Final - Pick 5

(3) JK SIMCHA was used to get the front passing the three-eighths in last week’s final preliminary leg and ultimately weakened after the tough trip. That effort should benefit her after almost five weeks on the sidelines; adds Zeron, too! (6) GIFT OF FAITH has been brought along patiently avoiding big spots like many of the Pelling horses are and seems to be coming into her own. She could be an interesting price play and McCarthy getting the drive is a nice plus. (5) MISS DOLCE rated and sprinted to an easy victory last Friday. This spot is much tougher but she outdraws some key rivals. (10) PERFECT HOPE DEO and (8) PERFECT BODY finished a nose apart last week; post is the only issue.

Race 9: $125K Kindergarten 2YO C&G Trot Final

While (3) SEVEN PLEDGES has been a bit slow to find himself, last week’s mile with Lasix added seems like it could be a turning point. He was fast away, got shuffled way back and finished with very good late energy. That was his first race in four weeks and if he steps forward just a bit he’ll have a big say tonight. (2) OBITER DICTUM only won by a half-length but did so very easily last week. He’s probably the one to beat and Dunn chose here over my top pick, but maybe he’s not worth too short a price. (7) BENTLEY BLUE CHIP has the early speed to get into the race and a driver change to potentially move him up a level. (5) GUSTAV VASA is another with early zip; certainly capable.

Race 10: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 $30,000) life/2YO & Maidens draw inside - Pick 4

(6) CHECK OUT LOU IR turned in an impressive qualifier where he displayed some early speed and sprinted home well when shown daylight. He’ll need to go faster but that tightener should help. (2) CAVENDISH hasn’t shown much stretch fight but really doesn’t face the greatest field in the world unless the top pick is a killer. (1) GOAL ORIENTED has put in some decent races and some bad ones. He isn’t as bad as last time would have you think.

Race 11: Non-winners $10,500 (NW 2L4 $12,500) in last 5 or 8 races(NW L2 9) life/TM 86.5 (NW L2 88.5) or less - $3 Pick 3

(2) WATER SPORTS TEEN went on his speed mission last time and never looked back. He’s capable of doing it again. (4) APOCALYPSEBLUECHIP won his last start here and while the time doesn’t look great, the track wasn’t very fast that night. Three-year-old can go with these. (10) JAMAICAN ROCK A makes his second start back from four months on the bench. The raw speed is there if he is tighter now. (9) SANCHEZ A qualified sharply and if Check Out Lou comes up big in race 10 maybe we should move him up, but this is no easy spot.

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Race 12: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L2 79.5) or less - $5 Double

(9) KING LOUIE LOU gets an interesting trainer change that could seriously pick this guy up. The 4-year-old has shown some raw speed. (8) FIZZING N is also on my Pick 4 ticket because this looks like a prime spot for him to fire off the gate; has back class. (2) AMERICAN MERCURY is a classy old guy himself with over $1 million earned. He was used a bit too hard last time and didn’t have much left late. A Smoother journey could produce a better result.

Race 13: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm.

(1) FOX VALLEY MAMBA was aimed a bit high last time considering he had been off for six weeks. Four-year-old likes to win and should be tighter now. (9) DRAGON STING hasn’t been racing too badly and now he adds Lasix. Maybe that puts him over the top. (7) MIDNIGHT THUNDER has been close in this class in two straight starts.