Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 6/27

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 44-15-7-5 / $63.40 (-$24.60)
BEST BETS: 3-1-0-1 / $4.40 (-$1.60)
BEST BET: SINTRA (9th)
SPOT PLAY: SOUL STRONG (6th)

Race 1: Non-winners $5,000 in last 5/Opt $15K Clm - **$40K GTD Pick 5**

(6) LUCAN HANOVER clearly had more in the tank in his 6-12 qualifier and I'm not going to fault him for losing to Shartin in his latest workout. Now 10, this millionaire looks like he has more to give and this low-level conditioned race is a good spot, even if it came up tough for the class. (4) SWEET ROCK was a bit flat off the bench last time; should be tighter. (5) ODDS ON DELRAY finished a few lengths ahead of #4 last week in a good effort; player. (1) AINTNOBETTOR A raced well from a tough post a couple of weeks back. Any step forward would make him a contender.

Race 2: Non-winners $7,500 in last 5

(5) LETS ROLL hung in nicely after getting used hard early in the mile last Saturday. Five-year-old is capable of a big mile and lucks-out into a pretty soft spot. (4) STATEMENT MADE A qualified on Monday even though he didn't need to, which to me is a positive showing the trainer wants the horse to be tighter prior to racing for money. (9) UNLOADED was never involved but paced home strongly in his lone qualifier.

Race 3: Non-winners $10,000 in last 5

(9) THATSWHATISAID N came up with a big mile to just miss in his U.S. debut. The post isn't ideal here, but he seems like the real deal. (5) PERSIMMON A is another import who just missed in his latest race. Don't overlook this guy even if his recent time is somewhat slower than the top pick. (7) SAMS TRIPLE CROWN drops in class and has been known to throw in some big miles here, but I have a feeling he'll need one more drop to win.

Race 4: 3-year-old Open - Pick 6

I'm a bit hesitant to select the lone 3-year-old filly in this race versus the boys, but boy did (1) SORELLA impress last time and everything this barn sends out is live. Also, Gingras chose her over a horse her drove in the Breeders Crown last year and one that was an 8-length qualifying winner in 1:53 4/5. (7) MAESTERAEMON has looked good in the morning and the only question mark I have is whether he will be in position to win. (4) AMIGO VOLO has been purposely raced from off the pace in his qualifiers. Breeders Crown winner will likely be an underlay, but he is certainly capable.

Race 5: Non-winners 4/5 races or $50,000/$60,000 life

(4) MONTEFALCO N rallied nicely behind a huge mile by Captain Groovy last week. Five-year-old has the edge on his younger rivals from a good post. (8) ALLYWAG HANOVER is likely to be handled patiently in this spot, but he seems fast enough to overcome that tactical disadvantage. (10) MANTICORE has some ability and if Stratton can get this guy in position early, I wouldn't be surprised if he won. (1) EHRMANTRAUT comes off a win and is clearly a player again.

Race 6: Graduate Trot Leg 2 - **$50K GTD Pick 4**

(8) SOUL STRONG finished third in the Breeders Crown behind Gimpanzee and Greenshoe last year. Either of those horses would be 1-5 in this spot. Two qualifiers under his belt should have him ready for a top effort in a race where he needs to do well to make the upcoming final. (3) DON'T LET'EM is freakishly fast and as unpredictable as they come. His price is unlikely to be worth the risk. (4) REIGN OF HONOR raced well in the first leg of this series and seems to be improving with age.

Race 7: Non-winners $22,500 in last 5/10 races life

Normally I would shy away from a 3-year-old facing some hard-knocking older foes, but trainer Nancy Takter tends to send them out ready and (1) TALL DARK STRANGER would likely benefit from a big mile two weeks out from the Meadowlands Pace eliminations. Driver Yannick Gingras may not be gunning down the road, but he will put this guy in play and a 1:48 mile seems within reach. (9) THE DEVILS OWN N has only tasted defeat once since coming to these shores and he's staked to be a good one; one to fear. (2) WESTERN JOE showed his class with the win last week and his early speed will serve him well here.

Race 8: Non-winners $15,000 in last 5/Opt$50K Clm

(10) FLAMING FLUTTER N never saw the pylons in his U.S. debut and always seemed like a winner. He double-bumps in class and draws outside again, but I still expect him to put in a big effort. (4) REVOLVER N raced well in his first start in the U.S. and could give the top one all he can handle with any improvement. (1) IDEAL FEELING comes off a career-best mile and is impossible to ignore on multi-race tickets.

Race 9: Preferred

(4) SINTRA surprised me with a big effort off the bench for a Burke barn that has been a quiet 3-for-50 since the return from COVID-19 break. The post improves tonight and I don't see anything standing in the way of victory. (2) FILIBUSTER HANOVER wasn't quite ready for the best male pacers in the game following an eight-month layoff. I expect him to be tighter now. (7) DONTTELLMEAGAIN put in the kind of effort I expected last week after the long vacation. He is a quality horse and I won't be surprised when he pops up with a 1:47 mile.

Race 10: Graduate Trot Leg 2 - **$40K GTD Pick 4**

(8) GIMPANZEE easily handled his foes in the first leg of this series at Tioga and unless one of these steps up in a big way, they are all racing for second money. (6) CHIN CHIN HALL chased the top one home for the place dough last week. He has more upside but is unlikely to beat #8 just yet, if ever. (4) KINGS COUNTY has yet to realize his potential but at least he seems to be moving in a forward direction now. I'll use him underneath and watch him for later spots.

Race 11: Non-winners $15,000 in last 5/Opt$50K Clm

(8) SHAMWOW takes on older foes here, but he was in against better last week in the Graduate. I am expecting to see early speed and a strong showing. (1) THINKBIG DREAMBIG was a disappointment last year and didn't exactly come out guns blazing a couple of weeks back; not sure what to expect now. (10) GODS SPIRIT N did last time what all Shane Tritton-trained horses do right now - win! He is capable but has his work cut out from post 10.

Race 12: Non-winners $5,000 in last 5/Opt$15K Clm

(2) ALWAYS FLASHING A finished well in his first start in North America and finds a soft field to take advantage of here. (8) KERRIN JOSEPH A has a history of stepping up when a catch-driver jumps in the bike and Gingras joins the team this week. (7) ROLL AWAY JOE finished well off a 10-month break but the 50% cut in claiming price is concerning; tough call. (4) IDEAL SON steps up off a win at long odds.

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

(8) IWILLMAKEYOUSAYWOW is not the same horse he was a couple of years ago, but this class is his sweet spot and this field came up soft. (4) RATHER SWELL moves into a new barn and they get their main man Gingras to drive. (6) OUR POSITANO N and (10) SAMS A CHAMP A both raced well a class higher back in March.