Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 6/5

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 134-43-26-23 / $253.60 (-$14.40)

BEST BETS: 10-2-4-1 / $6.40 (-13.60)

SPOT PLAYS: 10-3-4-1 / $33.40 (+$13.40)

BEST BET: EXPLOIT (2nd)

SPOT PLAY: ROCKNIFICENT (7th)

Race 1: Non-winners $9,000 to $12,500 in last 5 - Pick 5

(7) GRANDMA HEIDI got shuffled last week and lost interest but was solid in his prior start. I'm going to stick with him one more week to see what he puts forth. (9) HOCKEY HANOVER gets stuck outside again but I think we may see early speed this time. If he makes the top, this 6-year-old can go a long way. (5) TREASURED TEE moved uncovered and held very well last time. Off that mile I can see him being the one to beat. (6) BOURBON EXPRESS flashed early speed and was even late in his first start for this barn; more now?

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Race 2: Winners 4-7 races or $87,500 life

(3) EXPLOIT took a tour of the track last week from an outside post versus one of the divisional leaders in Southwind Gendry. Expect to see the Metro winner in the race tonight. (4) GAMBLIN MO also got a conservative try as the connections seemed resigned to be unable to defeat Abuckabett Hanover. Do we see speed against this field? Does Tetrick's presence mean an underlay price? (2) SOUTH BEACH STAR has won four of five starts and should be a player in here.

[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!]

Race 3: $15,000/$20,000 Claiming Handicap - Survivor 7

(9) SUGARTOWN overcame the outside post to win in this class last week and deserve the call again. (6) GRAND TETON picks up a top catch-driver this week that will certainly get more out of him. (2) BETTOR NOTBITTER A moves to the Cullipher barn and picks up Tetrick; could improve.

Race 4: Graduate Trot 2nd Leg

(3) BEADS seems to have turned a corner. When he is on his game none of these can trot with him. (2) HYPNOTIC AM has made no attempt to get into winning position in either of her starts while finishing with explosive speed. She might be good enough to beat the top pick if given the opportunity. (7) EL IDEAL could gun out and get into the trifecta at a big price.

Race 5: Non-winners $9,000 in last 5/TM 86.1 or less

(7) SHAKE THAT HOUSE recovered from a very brief break to get fourth last time while still appearing to be a bit short. Former stakes standout has a couple of starts under his belt now and could be ready to pop. (3) FRANCO TOTEM N has been used in some fast early fractions lately. With a better trip he can menace. (2) WES DELIGHT was a solid second when last in this class. (9) TULHURSTSANTANNA A was Dunn's choice over #3 after a solid performance at Philly.

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

Go back and watch the replay of (1) HILLEXOTIC from the first leg of the Graduate. He was used in a fast half and finished with good trot after getting shuffled. If Trond steps on the gas again he should be sitting no worse than a pocket trip with a legitimate chance of pulling off an upset. (3) READY FOR MONI certainly looked good beating older foes in his 4-year-old debut. Any step forward makes him the one to beat. (2) IT'S ACADEMIC is a clear contender here but a horse I'll probably play against if he goes off the favorite.

Race 7: Non-winners $17,500 in last 5 or 9 (4YO 11) races life/TM 87.75 or less

While I thought (10) ROCKNIFICENT would come out swinging after some nice qualifying efforts, she's clearly been a bit slow to find her best game. She gets written into this race and gets a huge class break. She could very well find her form in a hurry. (7) BETTORS HEART N was driven conservatively and lost any chance after chasing slow fractions last week. Her PP lines don't look good but they are deceptive. (3) FIRE START HANOVER raced well in her 3-year-old debut but seems destined for another passive trip.

Race 8: Graduate Pace 3rd Leg - Pick 6

(2) WARRAWEE VITAL has gone some vicious fractions and lived to tell about it late. This guy is tough as nails and deserves top billing as long as he isn't odds-on. (7) TATTOO ARTIST put up an easy win at Philly and proved what he could do in this series two starts back; dangerous. (5) POSEIDON SEELSTER has been super all year; hard to toss. (6) CAPTAIN BARBOSSA left last week versus slightly easier but tends to get away slow. It is hard to imagine him passing the entire field.

Race 9: Non-winners $17,500-$22,500 in last 5 or 10 races life

(6) WESLYNN QUEST has finished second behind Next Level Stuff and Ready For Moni the last two starts; that's certainly excusable. Five-year-old mare has the tactical speed to work out a nice trip and should offer a decent price. (4) CHIN CHIN HALL got a confidence-builder versus weaker foes last Friday and might be ready to step back up. (5) CHAPTIAMA came up flat in the stretch last time but deserves a second chance.

Race 10: Graduate Pace 3rd Leg - $50K GTD Pick 4

(2) CHIEF MATE was loaded with pace and no chance to stretch his legs most recently. With plenty of speed on the outside of the gate, maybe this is finally the week where he gets a clean trip. (1) RUTHLESS HANOVER enters this race without a loss in 2021 and is arguably facing his toughest test to date. He has a big chance but seems like a play against if the odds get to the odds-on range. (7) CATTLEWASH qualified back very well and we've all seen that he can go some big miles. My gut says to wait a week but as this is the third leg of the series, he can't wait too many if he wants to make the final.

Race 11: Non-winners $12,500 (NW L3 $13,750) in last 5 or $16,000 in last 8

(3) CHASER HANOVER doesn't face the easiest field but clearly gets class relief tonight and should be handled aggressively. (5) IM SIR BLAKE A is plenty sharp and gets a better post to work with this week. (2) THE DEVILS OWN N kept up with some Open foes in his qualifier and that should have him tight. (9) ROCKIN SPEED is an interesting new arrival but unless he fires off the gate his night will be over early.

[DRF BETS: Wager on tonight's Meadowlands card at DRF Bets.com!]

Race 12: Non-winners $6,000 (NW L3 $6,600) in last 5

(4) ROCKIN THE ACES got the job done versus a much softer group last week and has the back-class to step up. (1) TUXEDO BAY goes from the trainer to Tetrick. His last two starts with a catch-driver resulted in a first and a second, albeit versus slightly lesser company. (5) DE LOS CIELOS DEO probably has enough of my money but maybe a new set of hands will make the difference this week. (7) ROCK LIGHTS has been stuck in outside posts at Yonkers. With a smooth trip perhaps he can make some noise.

Race 13: Non-winners $17,500 in last 5/10 races or $100,000 life

(3) ANGERS BAYAMA was taken off the pace and wound up having to grind out a tough trip last time. Expect to see early speed now. (7) ANA AFREET N gets class relief after facing Open company for months. He's another one who could fire out. (5) SUNDOWN KID is very sharp, perhaps sharp enough to take the big step up to contend with this group.

Race 14: TrackMaster 73.5 (NW LS 75) or less/NW 1 race in 2020-2021

(1) ART SCAPING was a sharp winner in this class in mid-May and faces an absolutely abysmal field here. Anything close to that mile makes him an easy winner. (8) MISTER HAT drops out claimers and into the TM basement. That class switch tends to produce good results. (6) STIRLING ENSIGN gets a slightly better post and maybe the uber-aggressive Allard will spark more life. (2) RIGGINS ART was used early and stopped last time. Maybe more patient handling will help.