Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 11/7/26

FALL MEET STATS: 111-38-15-26 / $187.70 (-$34.30)

BEST BETS: 7-3-2-1 / $10.60 (-$3.40)

SPOT PLAYS: 8-2-0-2 / $8.20 (-$7.80)

BEST BET: AROLNDAHAYBLUECHIP (11th)

SPOT PLAY: MAXIM HANOVER (5th)

Race 1: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less - Pick 5

(4) T’S RAIDER II hasn’t drawn a good post in some time and now finally lands a nice spot on the gate. Despite finishing ninth and eighth recently, his form really isn’t that bad. (6) MANSERTIVE is another moving in on the gate. He has the early speed to make his own trip. (5) BIONIC has proven capable of winning here and did so in his last TM74 starts back in July.

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Race 2: NJ Standardbred Development Fund 2YO C&G Pace

(1) AINTMYFIRSTRO DEO has been a force in these NJ-bred races and figures to be very tough to defeat. (2) VAVOOM has done very good work in just four career races against lesser. This is his first true test and I wouldn’t be shocked if he was up to it. (5) JERZY GEORGE isn’t in the same realm as the top pick and likely not the second either, but he can get into the lower exotics.

Race 3: NJ Standardbred Development Fund 2YO Filly Trot - Survivor 7

(4) HL KAPARA just won the Kindergarten and from top to bottom this spot is softer. (6) DAY ONE DANDY had every shot in the Kindergarten and just didn’t have an answer late. This easier spot could improve her standing. (5) DECLAN SHEA seems to have some ability but hasn’t put it all together yet.

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

(1) ALWAYS B GIBBY was four deep into the first turn and used to the top at the half last week before facing a stiff challenge on the final turn. He dug in nicely for second and has to get a smoother trip tonight. (4) DA DELIGHTFUL was also used a bit last time and just even late in the mile. He should be in play again here. (2) IGNATIUS A was behind a contested pace but not one that was fast enough to set up his 26 4/5 late kick. Not sure he is going to get a better setup tonight, so he better be better.

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

(2) MAXIM HANOVER hasn’t been seen in just over 10 months but did qualify back fine for a good barn. He was keeping much better company when last seen and only needs to drop two seconds off the qualifier to be a win player. (3) LMC PEANUTS WATCHN has early speed and the perfect post to get into position; obvious player. (9) GALLIE GETAWAY beat many of these last week and certainly has a big chance to repeat given a clean trip from the outside again.

Race 6: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L2 $12,500) in last 5 or 8 (NW L2 9) races life/TM 86.5 (NW L2 88.5) or less - $50K Est. Pick 4

(4) SANCHEZ A qualified very nicely in his U.S. debut but wasn’t really going to go far from post nine versus a salty field last week. This spot is much better and obviously the post will allow him to be closer to the action. (7) AMERICAN SON took a shot and weakened last time; driver change to Dunn! (2) BETTORS DONTTELL broke and won going away late last week. Obviously he’s a big win threat again. (3) ROCKIN ON VENUS was just even after missing almost 12 weeks of action. He could certainly show more with that start under his belt.

Race 7: NJ Standardbred Development Fund 2YO C&G Trot

(4) BAROLO took a month off and probably had one of the best miles of his career while coming home in 28 1/5. Considering the competition, I can take a favorable view that maybe this Alrajah One-sired 2-year-old is ready to show more. (1) BACIO BLUE CHIP did some good work up in Canada and it’s a long ship down to not get a big piece. On paper he’s as good as any. (2) SAMPRAS has some early speed and an aggressive driver; will be in play.

Race 8: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW L2 85.5) or less - Pick 6

(5) SPUNKY HANOVER has seen some trouble getting to the races lately but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some talent here. The return qualifier was solid as he sat just off the leader and gained when asked in the stretch by the trainer. In a field without a standout, I’ll take a shot. (3) TEXAS HOLDEM raced well in his first start for Burke and then was compromised by an outside post. Don’t be surprised if the move to the big track helps him. (1) XPERT should stick close from the inside; capable on best.

Race 9: NJ Standardbred Development Fund 2YO Filly Pace

(5) DENIM N PEARLS was competitive here in the NJSS Silver series earlier this year and I’d argue she is a better horse now. That loss last time came to a horse that shattered the track record by two seconds at Shenandoah. I’ll take a flyer with her. (8) MISS DOLCE has won three straight and is a legitimate 3-5 in theory. That said, I have my doubts on how hard she’ll be raced from the outside post ahead of a potential start in the rich Three Diamonds next weekend. (4) GOOD TIMES is capable of firing to the front and those tactics could get her a big piece. (6) PERFECT BODY has the ability but has been hit or miss much of the year.

Race 10: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2 82.5) or less - $50K Est. Pick 4

(4) JOHNNY LINCOLN N was perhaps a bit erratic needlessly brushing to the lead and then drifting off the cones in his qualifier, but it is a good sign that he battled back to win and showed no signs of making a break. Perhaps the switch to the big track was what he needed. (3) GAITWAY PATRIOT is one of the few sharp horses in the field and while his best work usually comes in lower classes, this group came up a bit light. (8) BIG WHEELS A could fire to the front in this field and that would give him a fighting chance, at least for an exotics position.

Race 11: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L2 79.5) or less/Opt. $12,500 Clm.

(5) AROLNDAHAYBLUECHIP double-drops in class courtesy of the optional claiming tag in the conditions. He was never involved last time coming back from a seven-week layoff and you have to assume this is a spot where he’ll shine in a big way. (2) BROTHER DICK and (4) AMERICAN MERCURY aren’t razor sharp right now but they have some class and the early speed needed to stick close to the action.

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Race 12: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2 82.5) or less

(3) ONEFORTHEROAD GB closed well most recently despite coming back from a 76-day break in action. Class drop and addition of Tritton in the bike this week are both positives. (8) OLLIE’S Z TAM went insane fractions and still held for this when last seen a couple of weeks back; threat again. (5) BOBCAT BAY also went too fast on the engine last time. He’s a fringe win player and an exotics must. (6) GALANTE A is a class-dropper that could be overlooked in the wagering given some dull recent form. He’s worth including on your Pick 4 ticket.

Race 13: $7,500-$10,000 Claiming Handicap

(7) SOUTHWIND PETYR slashes his claiming tag in half to race in this condition and you have to believe he’ll be firing out. The result will either be a big mile or a race that proves he needs a change of scenery. (5) CARDS A FLYIN and (3) JUMPING JAKE finished a head-part in a slightly lower class last time and both should be very competitive tonight. (8) SHORE OF HIMSELF has some early speed and form. Eight-year-old comes in from out of town but has been here and won in the past.