Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 5/20

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 56-23-7-7 / $112.00 (+$0.00)

BEST BETS: 4-3-0-0 / $10.70 (+2.70)

SPOT PLAYS: 4-1-1-0 / $6.80 (-$1.20)

BEST BET: CAPTAIN COWBOY (13^TH)

SPOT PLAY: FOR ONCE INMY LIFE (10^TH)

Race 1: New Jersey Sire Stakes 3YO Filly Trot - Pick 5

(1) SECRET VOLO was used much harder than I ever imagined last week in her 2023 debut. That mile should have her plenty tight for this race and I doubt she'll have to work nearly as hard early in the mile to secure position if Sears wants it. (7) MANBACITA had the opposite trip of the top pick as she waltzed to soft fractions in the pocket behind perhaps the best trotting filly in the country; dangerous here. (3) LIFE ITSELF was well behind the top pick early and couldn't come close to her late. She'll need to improve to threaten but certain is eligible to do so in start two this year. (5) TACTICAL MOUNDS has some ability but loses some luster after another break last time.

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Race 2: Trackmaster 74.25 (NW L2 74.75) or less

(6) DIAMOND OFFICIAL gets an interesting trainer change here to Cassar off some decent miles at The Meadows. Her 1:52 4/5 lifetime mark last year says that she fits nicely here. (3) WIGGLE MY COOKIE exits the amateur ranks and gets an eye-catching driver change to Dunn. (4) P L PORTIA was a solid second behind an obvious winner last time and 4-year-old has plenty of form.

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Race 3: New Jersey Sire Stakes 3YO Filly Trot - Survivor 7

(7) SPECIAL WAY wasn't exactly tested in an easy win last week so I'm not ready to enshrine her as the queen of the division as a 3-year-old. That said, you have to respect her talent and she is certainly worth 3-5 against this group until proven otherwise. (6) BLONDE BOMBSHELL and (4) WALNER PAYTON come out of the same race with a red-hot pace scenario. The latter stuck close to the action early and only lost by 1 1/4 lengths to the latter. Let's give her the edge for second at a better price.

Race 4: $30,000-$40,000 Claiming Handicap

(6) TAM MAJOR A has been protected in conditioned races over his head in his last two starts and now drops back in for a tag versus a field he should find more up his alley. (4) BOILER MAKER made a strange break out of nowhere last time but you can cross a line through it and expect a return to form here. (2) P L OZZY ships in sharp and is another dropping in for a tag. There's a real chance he'll be aired out on the front.

Race 5: Winners 1-2 (NW L2 3) races life/Maidens draw inside

(5) ROYAL FILLY hasn't quite lived up to her name yet but there is certainly room for her to be a better horse this year. In her last qualifier McCarthy just sat on her content to be third after making a nice move and she might be more ready than you think. (8) CANTERBURY HANOVER adds hobbles again and switches to the big track. Both changes could be what it takes for her to go a strong clean mile at a price. (7) SADIE HANOVER rolled in the Lady Suffolk but must prove herself on this stage before I'd take a shorter price.

Race 6: Open 1 Pace - $50K GTD Pick 4

Only five horses signed on here but this is a salty group. (2) SOUTHWIND GENDRY looked like he had no shot last week at the head of the lane but found another gear as he pulled out a gutsy win. I can see an equipment change coming here to make him more racy and will take a shot despite Gingras opting to #3. (4) BILLY CLYDE was driven out a bit in his qualifier to prepare for this and Schnittker tends to send them out ready. (5) LOCHINVAR ART A was used early and just missed last time. Along with (3) THIS IS THE PLAN, they both have a chance with a decent trip.

Race 7: New Jersey Sire Stakes 3YO C&G Trot

(6) OH WELL sprinted home in 26 3/5 but I still think he was a touch short last week in his 2023 debut. Expecting a bit more now, though I wouldn't take anything under 5/2. (8) TACTICAL APPROACH rated nicely and stole the race versus the top pick. The road to victory won’t be that easy tonight but he certainly could repeat. (5) UPSTAGED raced much better than I expected and finished up willingly. He's an interested price player here.

Race 8: Non-winners $20,000 (NW L2 $22,000) in last 4 or 10 races/$100,000 life - Pick 6

(1) NANDOLO N has clearly been racing better in recent weeks and the inside post should ensure he gets away in striking position. Tritton in the bike could improve the price and she's proven capable. (4) JILlIBY DYNAMITE A uncorked an eye-catching stretch explosion to win his U.S. debut and he's certain to be bet heavily this week despite that he's yet to show tactical speed, which is how most horses win in these parts. (6) KOMODO BEACH and (3) STONEBRIDGE REEF have the ability to leave the gate well and both are in fine form.

Race 9: $155,200 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial Trot

Just draw a line through the 2023 lines you see from (4) BELLA BELLINI because they are completely irrelevant. She sat behind a gapper in the last qualifier and made no serious attempt to win in her lone pari-mutuel try. There is real money on the line now and plenty of speed to set up her late kick. Can we possibly get 8-5? (1) VENERATE couldn't have looked much better in his last qualifier and Melander always has them ready off the bench. He’s one to serious fear tonight. (5) IT’S ACADEMIC is razor sharp but may have to revert to new tactics against a field with a bunch of potential outside speed players. (7) RATTLE MY CAGE raced well in his first start of the year and does own a 1:50 2/5 win last year. He'll be a big price and should race well.

Race 10: Winners 2-4 (3YO 5) races life/NW2 draw inside - $50K GTD Pick 4

(1) FOR ONCE INMY LIFE was the victim of chasing slow paces when last here and really let loose last time at Miami Valley beating a nice horse in Act Fast. While he may or may not be the best horse in the race, there is simply too much uncertainty with horses coming off layoffs to back them. (6) EL REY looked like a champion in his last qualifier but seems unlikely to fire off the gate here, which means you'll be at the mercy of the pace scenario; tough call. (3) ANTS MARCHING hasn't been worse than second yet in 2023 and you know he'll be heading to the front. (5) SAVE AMERICA is another talented horse coming off a qualifier that I expect to race somewhat conservatively.

Race 11: Non-winners $20,000 in last 4 or 10 races life

(4) KEG STAND has rolled to a perfect record out of town and those miles seem to translate to a 1:51 mile here. There is no guarantee of that but I'll back that possibility at 2-1 or higher. (3) HARRY KNOWS IR came to play last time in a gutsy effort versus a foe that was Cutler bound (race 9) but didn't qualify on earnings. (7) INAMINUTE HANOVER has won in the Open class a couple of times in his last five starts so winning here would be no surprise.

Race 12: Non-winners $10,000 (NW L2 $11,000) in last 4 or $1,850 p.s. in 2023

(1) HAMMERING HANK has been slowly working his way back into shape and I really can't fault him for the defeat last time in a 1:49 2/5 mile at Philly. This is clearly the softest field he has faced on the comeback trail. (3) WHOLE LOTTA LOU gets some class relief as well and could be placed on the front in a spot like this one. (6) LYONS PEGASUS steps up in fine form and has good early speed. This race could be ripe for the taking on the engine if someone takes charge.

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Race 13: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L2 $8,250) in last 4/TM 83.5 (NW 2L4 84.5) or less

(5) CAPTAIN COWBOY picked up his game last week with a second-place finish in a fast mile. No shame in losing to Mad Max Hanover as he is simply more talented. Logic states 'Cowboy' is going down the road at short odds. (2) ROCKIN THE ACES hasn’t been able to get over the hump lately in this class, but he's right there every week and capable of upsetting. (1) BOB CAT BAY got Stratton's call over #’s 3,4 and 7.

Race 14: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,500) in last 4/TM 80.5 (NW 2L4 81.5) or less

(5) JK STANDINGOVATION chased a better horse last week and predictably finished a well-beaten second. He should be forwardly placed again with a big shot. (4) AUSSIE HANOVER drops off a pair of credible tries. (7) CONTROL HEAVEN and (6) WATER SPORTS TEEN are both capable horses coming off breaks in action. Neither was racing well when last seen and it is hard to say whether they'll be ready to fire at first asking.