Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 6/24

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 176-60-33-23 / $296.80 (-$55.20)

BEST BETS: 13-8-2-0 / $26.70 (+.70)

SPOT PLAYS: 13-3-5-0 / $21.80 (-$4.20)

BEST BET: P L OZZY (3^rd)

SPOT PLAY: GOOD ROCKIN (13^th)

Race 1: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 - Pick 5

(8) SPORTS HERO got a useful tour of the track last week in his return from vacation. This guy is very capable of firing off the gate and we just might see those tactics here. (2) SKYWAY BILLY should be coming from just off the pace in this spot and it's always good to have a horse with that style in these races in case the pace gets hot. (3) PREMIER JOY A wasn't bad last time and adds Lasix tonight. (4) PREPPY ART didn't get involved last week but he's more than capable in this spot.

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Race 2: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2/2L4/L7 71.5/72.5/72.87) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm.

(7) FINAL JUSTICE hasn't been as bad as his recent finish positions would indicate and tonight he gets a major driver upgrade to Gingras. (6) VEL LARRY was used too hard going for the front last time. The road to the top should be easier this week. (2) I'M SPONGE WORTHY has missed a few weeks but is certainly capable of upping his game on the barn change.

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Race 3: Play Meadowlands Series Final for Non-winners $10,000 in last 4 - Survivor 7

(2) P L OZZY keeps getting faster every time he steps on the track. If he brings anything close to the mile he put up last time the rest of the field will be racing for second. (1) CAN B PERFECT should be a able to sit close as the top pick gets mega-respect early. (3) MIKE'S Z TAM has tons of class and it wouldn't be a shock if he showed some of it tonight.

Race 4: Miss Versatility Mares Trot

(4) WARRAWEE XENIA was a fast-finishing third in the Armbro Flight behind two horses that would be odds-on in this spot. She's always a bit iffy because of her off-the-pace racing style, but none of these scare me right now. (1) FASHION SCHOONER is the best mare in the field if at 100%. Considering she is coming off a scratched-sick line and a break, I'm not sure what to expect. (5) ETERNAL LEE wasn't finishing her miles in Kentucky and now that she's out of the no-Lasix state she can add the medication.

Race 5: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 2

I spy with my little eye a field with plenty of early speedsters. If that scenario develops it would benefit (3) SHORTYS GIRL, who has been closing well week after week. (4) VIRGIL N was used last week and faded late. He'll definitely be a force in this race. (5) SEEUINNASHVILLE A has been putting up 1:52 miles, which is what they'll likely go here. If the outside speed doesn't fire hard, he could be in good position.

Race 6: Graduate Trot - $50K GTD Pick 4

(4) COOL PAPA BELL made an early break last time but settled down very quickly and rallied nicely late in the mile while not exactly chased along hard. As long as he minds his manners, gelding should have a good shot here. (2) JUSTICE was used early and uncovered before tiring badly in his first start of the year. He can be much tighter now. (5) IWONT BACKDOWN AS looked like he belongs last week and I'd use him underneath. (1) KEG STAND is capable on his best; adds Lasix.

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

(4) LYONS PEGASUS dropped to this level last time and raced reasonably well. Now he picks up Gingras and all systems should be on go. (5) BETTER TAKE IT returned from a seven-week break with a good mile and he could have more in the tank this time around. (1) LOU ED ZEPPELIN steps up two levels on the class ladder while in great form. Can he handle it?

Race 8: Graduate Pace - Pick 6

(7) STONEBRIDGE HELIOS was absolutely spectacular in the last leg of the Graduate and anything close to that mile finds him in the winner's circle again. (4) PLEASELETMEKNOW certainly surprised me with a very nice mile last time despite the dq for interference. Assuming he goes to the front he'll be tough again. (5) MAD MAX HANOVER was also very good last weekend but I have my doubts on whether he'll be sent to the front this week. He can certainly win.

Race 9: Graduate Pace

(4) I DID IT MYWAY didn't leave the gate hard as I expected and then was a bit flat from off the pace. I'll stick with him here and hope for a change in tactics. (7) DREAMFAIR ARNIE B chased home a killer last time and continues to race very well; big threat. (6) ENERGETIC HANOVER was used too hard most recently and paid the price. Don't give up on him yet.

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

(8) RUTHLESS HANOVER blasted out but couldn't quite handle the turns on the half-mile track at Northfield. Nothing should stop him from making the top this week and if he hasn't lost a step in the last few weeks he'll be tough to beat. (1) JILLIBY DYNAMITE A won't get the attention of some others in here but has been racing well and could be sitting second or third with a reasonable chance of rounding out the exacta. (6) SOUTHWIND GENDRY tried to leave last time but so did many others and quick gate speed really hasn't been his thing. I'm worried where he will get away here with the speedy top choice to his outside. Still, he has a shot, especially if that one doesn't show up. (7) BACKSTREET SHADOW is an unknown at this point. Is he tight enough after missing plenty of time?

Race 11: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,515) in last 4/TM 80.5 (NW L2/2L4 81/81.5) or less

(2) LOVE YOUR WORK A and (3) MARCUS SEELSTER are both dropping in class and should be aggressively handled with a purpose. (8) STRENGTHANDHONOR N didn't fire from an outside post in his U.S. debut. He moves to the big track now and has that start under his belt. Maybe we see more? Certainly the price will be juicy.

Race 12: Non-winners $10,000 (NW L2/4YO $11,100/$12,241) in last 4 or 6 races life/TM 86.5 or less

(6) PAT MCGARRY A has been stuck in fast mile after fast mile. While this race won't go slow, the competition will give him the opportunity to succeed. (1) DONTNEEDANEXCUSE N comes off a throw-out mile in his stateside debut from an outside post at Yonkers. This should provide him a chance to show what he has on tap. (2) CANNIBAL looks like the one to beat on paper but it is worth mentioning that the 1:48 3/5 mile last time was over a track that was playing insanely fast. The price may be too low to consider him.

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Race 13: Play Meadowlands Series Final for $20,000-$30,000 Clm. Hcp.

(4) GOOD ROCKIN finally draws well in this series and it comes at the perfect time in the final. He's as fast as any in here and only needs a reasonable trip to win. (5) RAPTORS FLIGHT N saw his winning streak come to an end when patient tactics were used. Expect to see early speed tonight and a top performance with Tetrick taking over in the bike as McCarthy stays barn-loyal to (2) MONGOLIAN HERO N, who was claimed back by Pelling, which was a bit surprising considering this guy is 10. Interesting.

Race 14: Non-winners $2,000 in last 4

(2) LITERL LAD HANOVER gets a driver change to McCarthy and drops to the basement condition. Five-year-old is supposed to take this field to task. (5) JK'S ON THE MOVE drops out of a sharp claiming race and this field certainly lacks that edge. He has a big chance here if the top one falters. (6) THANOS will flash his usual early speed and maybe he'll keep going this time. (3) TRE CRUZ gets a new driver and could show more.