Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 5/27

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 83-32-10-11 / $153.60 (-$12.40)

BEST BETS: 6-4-0-0 / $12.90 (+.90)

SPOT PLAYS: 6-2-1-0 / $13.80 (+$1.80)

BEST BET: UCANDOIT BLUE CHIP (6^th)

SPOT PLAY: UPTOWN LADY N (13^th)

Race 1: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3 $7,680) in last 4 - Pick 5

(4) WHOLE LOTTA LOU seems likely to fire off the gate on the class drop and sit a great trip. (1) MISTER DONALD A couldn't be any sharper for a barn that has been firing over this track. (6) HAMMERING HANK gets a new driver this week and perhaps that will mean a more confident drive than bettors got last week at 4-5. (7) BETTORS DONTTELL is capable of gunning hard off the gate and going a long way. Not sure I could toss him off my Pick 5 tickets.

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Race 2: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L6 %5,825) in last 4/TM 80.5 or less

(5) AUSSIE HANOVER dropped to this level and missed by just a neck last time. He should have a big shot in here versus a like field. (7) DUDDIE’S LOR gets his class relief this week and he only needs a decent pace up front to set up his rally. (4) CLAYTONS BETTOR N has been a new horse with a catch-driver added and it is likely that he'll be putting up the fractions. (8) NIGHT WATCHMAN was awful in start one for Burke. Don't be shocked if he is much better tonight.

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Race 3: Non-winners $5,000 (13YO $5,925) in last 4 or $8,000 in 2023/TM 80 or less - Survivor 7

(1) MRMAYOR HANOVER really wasn't that bad last week in what was just his third start of the year. He catches a softer group here and would be no surprise on the win end. (3) MOSTINTERESTINGMAN has been able to mind his manners on the big track here and he does drop a notch on the condition ladder. (5) TAXI OUT S gets both class and post relief. He could awaken tonight.

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

(7) DELAYED HANOVER was perhaps a bit overmatched in the Cutler but this is a field that should be up his alley. (5) YANKS DUGOUT raced well for second in his first start of the year and should move forward tonight. (2) SLAY is a talented 4-year-old who has always been more of a trip horse and figures to look for a favorable journey here.

Race 5: Non-winners $10,000 in last 4 or 6 races life/TM 86.5 (NW L2 87) or less

This is a fairly equal field in terms of ability with the exception of (5) CONFEDERATE, who lays over this group but will be raced conservatively in his first start of 2023. The short field should allow him a clear path at some point to uncork a late move that none of these can handle. His qualifiers were absolutely spectacular. (1) SONNY WEAVER N moves to the inside of the gate and is clearly in a better spot this week. (3) AS ALWAYS has the speed to control the race and you never know how a horse may improve off a trainer change.

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

(5) UCANDOIT BLUE CHIP came up a bit flat last time when it looked like he was going to be right there at the wire. Now she's back with Lasix added and perhaps that answers the question. I still feel she's the best in here and unlikely to be the favorite. (3) ANNA’S WISH came up big two starts back when she set the fractions but completely empty in her most recent start. Let's put a line through that effort and expect a return to form with the big bucks on the line. (7) TWO PISTOL ANNIE has won three straight and looks for the series sweep. That said, she's had things mostly her own way on the lead and doesn't seem likely to get that scenario tonight as the favorite.

Race 7: $20,000-$25,000 Claiming Handicap

(6) ITS SHOWTIME was use in the amateur ranks and perhaps that means he’s turned the corner. Six-year-old drops in for a tag and should be aggressive again. (9) FRANCO TOTEM N is facing a much, much softer group as he drops his claiming tag by 5K. This guy has class and if there is anything in the tank we’ll see it here. (4) RAPTORS FLIGHT N has worked out two perfect trips and won both. If he gets a decent journey again, he'll be tough.

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

(6) VOUKEFALAS has dominated this group thus far. While things are a bit trickier here since his main rival will be leaving the gate hard and draws outside, expect Stratton to let the dust settle and put this guy on the engine. (7) HANDLELIKEAPORSCHE has been chasing the top pick home and seems destined for that fate again unless he has another gear we haven't seen. (1) LAZ will push away from the inside and secure good position, but he is likely racing for an exotics spot at best.

Race 9: $30,000-$40,000 Claiming Handicap

(8) TAM MAJOR A came up with a gutsy win to defeat (2) P L OZZY last time and he's very comfortable at this level. The latter took the jump to this class and was very game in defeat last weekend. (4) BOILER MAKER chased the top pair home last week but he's capable of stepping up if they falter.

Race 10: Open I Handicap Pace - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) BILLY CLYDE wired a field last weekend that ranks a bit higher in terms of quality than this group. Logic would state he could be even sharper in his second start of the year. (2) STONEBRIDGE REEF has climbed the ladder with success and has only missed the board once in 18 starts this year. (5) ABUCKABETT HANOVER is a win and a couple of c-notes away from becoming a millionaire. His qualifier was sharp but I expect he'll get an easy mile here.

Race 11: Non-winners $7,500 in last 4 or 2 races in 2023/AE: NW10000L5 or TM 85.30

(1) DRIBBLING BI double-drops in company off a tough trip from an outside post. Starting from the inside, he can relax early and either brush to the front or look for cover. (8) NYLANDER rolled down the road in this class last weekend and gets a free ride in the same company. (6) SWAN IN MOTION had no chance from post 8 at Harrington last out. This barn has done well in limited starts here and I doubt they are driving up the Turnpike for the scenery.

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Race 12: Non-winners $15,000 (NW 2L8 $16,501) in last 4/TM 89.5 (NW L2/2L4/4YO 90/90.5/91) or less

(2) LIVINTHEBEACHLIFE just missed last time against a tougher field than he faces here. Gingras will have him in play early with a big shot at victory. (4) WILL THE WIZARD A climbs the ladder as he goes for three straight wins. (1) EARLY ACTION hasn't really been able to recapture the excellence he showed as a 2-year-old but the talent is there and the light could go on.

Race 13: Non-winners $3,000 in last 4/TM 77.5 or less/AE: NW3000 last start or $15K in 2022-23

(2) UPTOWN LADY N drops to the basement condition and is more than capable of beating this field with anything close to her best effort. (5) FIRSTUP lost a head pole entering the stretch in her last start but that didn't have much effect on the outcome. A better post here should keep her closer to the action. (3) TOP HONORS and (4) ROSEY TIME raced very well in this condition last Friday.