Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 5/13

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 28-10-3-5 / $40.90 (-$15.10)

BEST BETS: 2-2-0-0 / $6.50 (+2.50)

SPOT PLAYS: 2-1-0-0 / $6.80 (+$2.80)

BEST BET: WHITECOOKIE (12^th)

SPOT PLAY: BLONDE BOMBSHELL (3^rd)

Race 1: Non-winners $2,000 in last 4/TM 77.5 (NW L3 78) or less - Pick 5

(9) EXPLOIT has some excuses for his recent failures. Five-year-old has some class to him, faces a soft group and goes out for a barn that is clicking at over 20%. (2) CLAYTONS BETTOR N added Dunn last week and set a new career mark. He did such a good job that the owner elected not to drive tonight. (1) CANTSTOPLYING got better last time as he faced easier foes. This looks like a good spot. (8) I’M BURLINGTON N hasn't been delivering as expected but does drop to the basement condition this week.

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Race 2: Trackmaster 75 or less

(2) DRAGONS REVENGE has been disappointing since arriving in the Bongiorno barn but you have to admit this is the first time she's landed in a good post. I could see a form reversal here. (1) P L PORTIA comes down from Monticello brimming with confidence and might just be able to handle these. (5) YOU BEDA ROCK is also off a win out of town. Ginsburg may put him on the lead against this field.

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Race 3: NJ Sire Stakes 3YO Filly Trot - Survivor 7

(2) BLONDE BOMBSHELL surprised me when she went to the front in her 2023 debut and she certainly looked the part. There is plenty of talent here and she might even offer a fair price against a good field. (5) WALNER PAYTON is the fastest in this group on paper and her latest qualifier should have her ready for this spot. (4) KADDARI has early speed and an undefeated record but still must prove herself on this stage.

Race 4: NJ Sire Stakes 3YO C&G Trot

(1) ARI FERRARI J has turned in two stellar prep miles where the goal was clearly more on an easy educational performance rather than a win. The gloves should come off here in this first stakes appearance. (4) AIR POWER tracked a fast pace and delivered a strong mile in his seasonal debut. Anything close to a repeat could give the top pick something to think about and getting Tetrick has to move the horse up, no? (5) DIRE STRAITS has plenty of ability but only shows one 1:58 2/5 qualifier. Will he need this start?

Race 5: NJ Sire Stakes 3YO Filly Trot

Returning Breeders Crown champion (7) SPECIAL WAY did everything nicely in her lone qualifier and while I'm not excited to play her at 2-5, she is clearly the horse to beat. (5) TACTICAL MOUNDS was put on the engine and responded with a clean line last weekend; improves again? (1) KARABOUDJAN also improved in her second start by posting a solid victory last Friday.

Race 6: NJ Sire Stakes 3YO Filly Pace - $50K GTD Pick 4

Going to go with likely third choice (4) ANNA'S WISH, who raced gamely after doing all the heavy lifting on the engine last time. She is definitely eligible to improve in her second start for this barn. (2) UCANDOIT BLUE CHIP sat off the top pick and gobbled her up in a very sharp mile. One of just 18 registered foals from the first crop of Keystone Velocity, she certainly is a good story. (3) TWO PISTOL ANNIE did nothing wrong in her Sire Stakes score last week and she deserves serious consideration.

Race 7: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L3 $11,500) in last 5 or 6 races life/TM 86.5 (NW L3/2L5 87/87.5) or less

(1) MAD MAX HANOVER lands in a very soft spot for his 2023 debut. While he may not be completely keyed up for this race, this is a field the 2022 Meadowlands Pace runner-up should beat. (7) MARCUS SEELSTER is off a neck loss in 1:49 4/5 and another close defeat in 1:50 prior to that. Clearly he's sharp and one to fear. (2) BLUE OCEAN is another with very good form who could menace given a decent trip. (5) I’M SOME GRADUATE has plenty of back class and returns here at a reduced level.

Race 8: NJ Sire Stakes 3YO C&G Pace - Pick 6

(2) VOUKEFALAS couldn't have looked much better last weekend. One of these is going to need to take a sizable step forward to beat him tonight. (4) HANDLELIKEAPORSCHE put in a credible showing in his first start of the year and improvement is certainly possible. (6) LAZ kept up nicely last week and I wouldn't be shocked to see Gingras gun out and take a shot.

Race 9: NJ Sire Stakes 3YO C&G Trot

(7) OH WELL put up a big 2-year-old season and certainly looked convincing in his lone qualifier. Sometimes I'm leery about returning 3-year-olds but this barn tends to send them ready to fire. (5) TACTICAL APPROACH certainly looked the part in his 2023 lid-lifter and that he likes to be on the engine only adds to his appeal. (2) CELEBRITY BAMBINO was easily run down by the top pick in his qualifier but there is talent here. (6) DYLADMAR is off a nice mile at Philly and is worth at least some consideration and a good look on the track.

Race 10: Non-winners $20,000 in last 5 or 10 races life/TM 92 or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

It is very interesting that Dexter Dunn hops off two horses that are coming off sharp victories last week to drive Australian import (5) JILLIBY DYNAMITE A. His one North American qualifier looks non-descript, though he was chasing some fast horses and did sit behind a gapper until the stretch. It is worth noting that he was in the money 20 times in 31 Down Under starts. (6) STONEBRIDGE REEF couldn't be any sharper and has only missed the board once in 16 starts this year. (8) WORKIN ONA MYSTERY is the class of the race and would be no surprise, though the outside post could pose a problem if there are too many other leavers.

Race 11: NJ Sire Stakes 3YO Filly Pace

(5) ALEXA'S FANTASY was just even in her first start of the year but you can expect much more tonight versus a soft Sire Stakes grouping. (2) SHOWMEMAGIC is a hot horse stepping up to stakes company off an owner/trainer change. This may be over her head but I'm interested in using her underneath at the right price. (3) TWIN B ALLURE saw her three-race winning streak come to a halt when she drew outside and got stuck behind slow fractions last time. This spot gives her a better chance to show what she can do.

Race 12: Non-winners $5,000 (NW 2L3 $5,555) in last 5/TM 80.5 or less

(5) WHITECOOKIE hasn’t been seen in 28 days but let's face it, he's much better than these if on his game. I'll put my faith in trainer Ron Burke that this guy is ready. (6) ON DAYBOO really impressed me last time with his 1:51 4/5 victory; respect. (3) JK STANDINGOVATION drops out of a high-end claimer for this more appealing spot.

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Race 13: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3 $8,250) in last 5/TM 84.5 (NW L3/2L5 84/85.20) or less

(5) ROCKIN THE ACES hasn't been able to get a win in this class recently but this is certainly the easiest bunch he has faced in a while. (3) AUSSIE HANOVER switches locales and raced reasonably well here. He should be forwardly placed. (1) DUDDIE'S LOR returns here at a slightly reduced level and might respond.

Race 14: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3 $8,250) in last 5/TM 82.5 (NW L3/2L5 83/83.66) or less

(6) DELICIOUSSTONE DK found himself last weekend and if he is ready to turn a corner, another victory seems very likely. (5) SWAN TRIXIE also popped up with a big mile last Friday, coincidentally with the addition of Lasix. He's another that could go on a run. (10) NYLANDER is certainly capable in this class and he has the early speed to gun out. (2) LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND has been consistently hitting the ticket in this class.