Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 6/13

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 0-0 / $0.00
BEST BETS: 0-0 / $0.00
BEST BET: LAKE CHARLES (8th)
SPOT PLAY: THE GREEK FREAK (2nd)

Race 1: Non-winners 2/3 races or $25,000/$30,000 life - **$40K GTD Pick 5**

(5) SO NICE HANOVER chased a revved up Lady Lou in her most recent qualifier and that should have her plenty tight for her 2020 debut. Andrew Harris trainee could offer some value and hopefully will show early speed. (7) SHE’S NUN BETTOR N appeared to have no chance in her qualifier, but kicked in mid-stretch to get up at the wire. This barn won a couple of times last weekend. (9) ANNE BONNEY N has done little wrong since coming to these shores and her price will be better than fellow import #7.

Race 2: Non-winners 1 race or $7,500 life

(5) THE GREEK FREAK was a highly-regarded 2-year-old that was green early and never produced. He came back from winter break with a solid qualifier at Gaitway and finds the perfect field to beat up on if he has turned the corner. (3) LEVEL UP was good enough to make the NYSS final last year and the return qualifier at Goshen wasn’t bad. He seems like a worthwhile flyer at a price. (6) SUNUMA BEACH lost to a good foe in his lone qualifier, but I'm expect conservative handling here at a shorter price.

Race 3: Starter Allowance for past $12,500 claimers

(2) MAKE IT BIG is a pure speculation play in that I feel this barn is highly likely to have the 7-year-old ready to fire fresh after the COVID-19 break. The qualifier wasn't great, but it should be good enough. (7) SAPPHIRE CITY kept up nicely in a pretty quick mile at Gaitway. The 12-year-old may have enjoyed the time off and could tap into his class tonight. (8) KEYSTONE HONOR won his only start for Johnson prior to the shutdown; qualifiers are good.

Race 4: Non-winners 2/3 races or $25,000/$30,000 life - Pick 6

(3) MONEYMAN HILL left well while very much restrained in his May 30 qualifier and finished up willingly behind a potentially top 3-year-old. (4) PATRIOT NATION was a sharp winner in the qualifier at Gaitway. Somebeachsomewhere colt looks like he's improved over the winter. (8) BILLY LINCOLN N won three races as a 3-year-old Down Under, which is pretty good. I'm going to keep a sharp eye on him in the post parade.

Race 5: Non-winners $10,000 in last 5/$30,000Clm

I'm torn here between the two New Zealand shippers. Both qualified well for their North American debut. Both came home in 26 1/5. Both earned just over $30K last year. Let's lean to (2) REVOLVER over (7) GODS SPIRIT N on the better post position and Dexter Dunn angles, but use both in the Pick 5. (9) EDDARD HANOVER hasn’t been in form for quite some time, but he has class and is down in company. (5) STATEMENT MADE A has the early speed to be a player.

Race 6: Non-winners 4/5 races or $50,000/$60,000 life - **$50K GTD Pick 4**

(7) MANTICORE gets a quick turnaround after a game two-move win at Magical Acres Tuesday. Three-year-old has ability and should be tight and ready. (3) MONTEFALCO N finished well with Lasix added in his qualifier, so perhaps that was the reason for the poor performances in February. He's very dangerous here. (1) GENIUS MAN has a string of good-looking qualifiers on his lines. Did he mature over the winter? Respect his chances in the Pick 4. (9) SAVE ME A DANCE blew out two miles at Gaitway and is another that could come up big in a wide-open race.

Race 7: Non-winners $15,000 in last 5 or 8 races life

(5) THE DEVILS OWN N was cruising along on the lead in his qualifier when he strangely drifted into the three-path. This guy is staked like he is a good one and I'm expecting him to handle this field. (8) BLOOD MONEY came home well enough in his first start for new trainer Brett Pelling. He wasn't quite ready for a 1:49 mile, but should have more on tap this week. (2) TIN ROOF RAIDER A makes his U.S. debut and has shown enough in the morning to make you think he can compete.

Race 8: Winners 4-7 races or $75,000 life

(2) LAKE CHARLES comes off an impressive qualifier at Goshen and this barn has sent them to the track more than ready to rock. (1) FREEDOM WARRIOR displayed plenty of talent at age 2 and should be ready off that qualifier. You probably have to use both in the Pick 4. (8) THE FIRST STEP has the early speed to get involved but might not be as good as his younger counterparts in posts 1 and 2.

Race 9: Non-winners $22,000 in last 5 or 10 races life

(1) THE BETTORMACK N burned money as the chalk in his U.S. debut when he couldn't close from ninth after drawing outside. He should be closer to the action this time and offer a much better price. (6) THINKBIG DREAMBIG is a stakes-quality horse when on his game and everything from this barn has been spectacular. (2) PRAIRIE PANTHER has big speed and can put up a fast mile at any time.

Race 10: Preferred - **$40K GTD Pick 4**

(8) BACKSTREET SHADOW was a killer when last seen in March and looks ready to pick up where he left off after a 1:50 3/5 win at Gaitway. He could be the best older male pacer in the country right now, and if you need more proof, Tim Tetrick picked off a Jim King horse to drive this guy. (5) TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER was part of the pace in a very fast mile and should be better for that effort. (2) DEALT A WINNER proved he could still do it with a tough uncovered mile to be second last week; always capable.

Race 11: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5/$20,000Clm

(8) SOLID GOLD N looked sharp winning his qualifier and doesn't face any monsters in his U.S. debut. (7) ONLYTHETUFFSURVIVE qualified well in his first start for this barn. Veteran may have caught the right field at the right time. (1) PENZANCE HANOVER has proven capable of going a big mile.

Race 12: Non-winners $5,000 in last 5/SA$15KClm

(7) JET AIRWAY tends to race well at the $20K claiming level, so he should love this spot. (8) PADUKA N seems like the best of the imports after a solid qualifier. Notice the barn change since the morning work. (1) WESTERN HILL should gun away from the pylons and secure position; Buter's choice.

Race 13: Non-winners $3,500 in last 5

(6) LORD OF MISRULE wasn't awful in a fast mile last time at Gaitway. He seems as good as any in a field without much intrigue. (5) KATHYS SON A didn't do much in the qualifier but still has some intrigue in his second stateside start. (3) LEGION OF BOOM went some nice miles in this class back in December. (9) SPORTS CHARM returns to the races with Lasix and Dexter Dunn; maybe that helps.