Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 7/11

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 96-26-18-16 / $115.40 (-$76.60)
BEST BETS: 7-2-3-1 / $6.80 (-$7.20)
BEST BET: GIMPANZEE (10th)
SPOT PLAY: SEEING EYE SINGLE (1st)

Race 1: Non-winners $7,000 in last 5 - **$40K GTD Pick 5**

(9) SEEING EYE SINGLE lucks into a great spot after the original '9' scratched and the first AE couldn't compete. Classy 5-year-old was a decent fourth last week in NW10000 at Philly and a winner in NW7000 over that surface two starts back; expect an aggressive Gingras drive. (2) BIG STRETCH MARK draws inside this week and is another who should be close to the pace early. (7) SPICEBOMB is more than capable here when he gets the right setup and this field is rather soft overall.

Race 2: Reynolds Memorial

(8) EL IDEAL hasn't been seen since winning the Valley Victory in November, but his qualifiers say he is ready and you have to like that he likes to race on the engine. (3) BEADS responded nicely to having Jimmy Takter in the bike. This is a tricky horse and have #8 leaving to his outside isn’t ideal; mixed feelings. (6) CAPRICORNUS has been ok since returning to the races in 2020; needs to show more.

Race 3: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5 or $100,000 life

(8) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH just missed against better two back and held his own versus stakes foes last time. He's not a lock, but this looks like a winning spot. (1) ANA AFREET N comes off an impressive victory in a similar class. (3) BILLY BADGER N bumps back up in company off a win of his own. He can play here with a strong performance.

Race 4: Non-winners $10,000 in last 5/Opt. $30K Clm. - Pick 6

(2) FRANCO TOTEM N takes a meaningful drop in class after two decent miles and really should be able to handle this group. (8) MCTHRILLER also drops back down and he has some class. (5) MY ALPHA ROCK N hasn't been very good since arriving on these shores, but perhaps the barn change tonight will make a difference.

Race 5: Reynolds Memorial

(1) COMMON SENSE S was driven very conservatively last week considering $160,000 was on the line and she's not Hambletonian Oaks eligible. Maybe this week's $61,000 purse will entice Svanstedt to give her a good shot. (4) SORELLA has yet to lose in 2020. You know she is pointing for bigger things down the road but I still expect her to be tough in here. (6) DUBAI PRINCESS has raced well in both starts this year and might offer good value with Takter driving. (9) RAMONA HILL hasn't been seen since winning the Breeders Crown. She's very capable of winning, but I'm going to watch one week.

Race 6: Open - **$50K GTD Pick 4**

(1) OUR MAJORDAN A is a complete unknown against a group of this caliber, but he certainly looked the part in his win at Scioto on July 4. I'm inclined to stay on his bandwagon assuming the price is in the 7-2 range, since if he wins it may be tough to get a good price on him anytime soon. (2) HIGHALATOR loves this track and although his last two races don't inspire, he could perk up in a hurry. (7) THIS IS THE PLAN has been a bit short so far this year. Capable 5-year-old could pop a big mile at any time. (9) BACKSTREET SHADOW was sharp in winning the Roll With Joe, but his best game is on the lead and if Tetrick goes with him, he’ll have lots of company.

Race 7: Reynolds Memorial

(4) MAESTERAEMON went a nice even mile with a sharp final quarter in his first start of the year. Hambletonian eligible should pick up his game with that start under his belt. (8) BACK OF THE NECK finished five lengths in front of the top pick in 1:51 2/5 during his lone start this year. Svanstedt trainee clearly has ability. (2) HOLLYWOOD STORY remains undefeated in four starts but will need to be faster to win tonight.

Race 8: Meadowlands Pace Elimination

(3) TALL DARK STRANGER was spectacular rallying off less than ideal cover to win his first start of 2020 versus older foes. I believe these connections want to win this race to ensure a good post in the final next week and we should see an aggressive attempt. (5) CAPTAIN KIRK looked good the one time we saw him this year and the surrounding qualifiers were strong as well. He could be a player here at big odds. (1) MAJOR BETTS has always been fast and his NYSS win on June 28 was very impressive; one to fear. (10) PAPI ROB HANOVER is as good as any horse in this race, but the outside post does him no favors and I just don't see driver David Miller using his horse too hard with the big money available next week.

Race 9: $250K Graduate Pace Final

(3) WORKIN ONA MYSTERY was driven conservatively (as expected) last Saturday in leg 2 action when rallying in 25 3/5 to finish second behind Bettor's Wish. While this guy has been babied along so far in 2020, expect the gloves to come off tonight. (4) DANCIN LOU got caught napping a bit on the lead last time and that cost him. He's capable of putting up big fractions and fighting to the wire, so he'll be on my tickets. (1) CENTURY FARROH is a hard-knocking sort who fights hard week after week. I don’t know if he tops my "win" list, but he's on most of my exotic tickets. (10) BETTOR'S WISH will need to find some early speed here to get into the race and still have enough to beat a quality field late. He could win but seems like an underlay to me.

Race 10: $250K Graduate Trot Final - **$40K GTD Pick 4**

(3) GIMPANZEE has proven that he is much better than this group of 4-year-old trotters. If he didn't lose in leg 2 when he began his rally from the parking lot at the head of the lane, he won't lose tonight. (1) CHIN CHIN HALL held his own versus better in the Cutler and has twice finished second behind the top pick in this series. (10) REIGN OF HONOR has steadily been improving. The post will be an issue, but he can compete for a board spot with a decent trip. (6) SOUTHWIND AVENGER is another horse who is getting better and moving in the right direction.

Race 11: Non-winners $20,000 in last 5 or 10 races life

(1) DONTTELLMEAGAIN picked up his game in his second start of the year and now he gets away from some tougher Preferred customers. This is a good spot for him to shine at a reasonable price. (4) WESTERN JOE rolled down the road in this class a week ago and seems like a must-use now. (6) THE DEVILS OWN N couldn't rally from too far back versus Tall Dark Stranger most recently. This field suits him nicely.

Race 12: Non-winners $7,000 in last 5/Opt. $20K Clm.

(4) DECISION DAY drops down this week and seems likely to change tactics and head to the front. (8) ARQUE HANOVER comes out of the same race as the top pick and finished a few spots ahead of that one; early speed likely. (10) ROCKIE GOT FRAMED exits stakes company but drew poorly. I'll probably use him in the Pick 4.

Race 13: Non-winners $4,000 in last 5

(3) SAMS A CHAMP A finished well from post 10 to finish second last time and should be even tighter now. (4) UNLOADED N also finished well from a tough post to start his U.S. campaign; clear contender. (9) LAREDO TORPEDO N drops down another level and certainly has a chance if the trip works out from post 9. (2) LETSCHASETHEDREAMN was sharp two starts back so don't put all of your weight on the dull effort last time.