Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 7/18/26

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 296-103-58-28 / $513.60 (-$78.40)

BEST BETS: 20-13-2-2 / $37.80 (-$2.20)

SPOT PLAYS: 21-6-3-4 / $36.20 (-$5.80)

BEST BET: COMPENSATE ME (6th)

SPOT PLAY: IN ONE FELL SWOOP (2nd)

Race 1: Meadowlands Amateur Drivers Club 1 Pace - Pick 5

(3) BUGABOO LOU raced very well last time to rally from 10th to 5th when returning from a year on the sidelines. Notice that he owns a 1:50 lifetime mark at Pocono, so there is ability here and he should be tighter now. (1) WHAMMER JAMMER rolled down the road to an impressive score last weekend and certainly is a big threat again. (2) MASTER MIKI has speed and some form, though I like him better underneath. (10) ROCK ON LINE is a capable horse that is drawn in an almost impossible spot on the outside of the gate.

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Race 2: 2YO C&G Pace

(2) IN ONE FELL SWOOP was raced conservatively and sat in all kinds of stretch traffic last out. He really had no chance anyway considering the field came home in 26 seconds. Let’s look for more now. (4) CRUNCHSTYLE has put up back-to-back monster miles at Pocono and looks like the clear horse to beat. (7) DEBONAIRE finished ahead of the top pick with a solid 26-second kicker of his own last time.

Race 3: $20,000-$25,000 Claiming Handicap - Pick 6

(5) CURBSIDE PICKUP lands a much better post this week after taking plenty of air last time. Bongiorno figures to have him on the engine. (6) CHALK HANOVER couldn’t have looked much better in victory last time and won’t have many to pass here. (2) IDIOSUNCRATIC is another moving into a much better starting slot but I prefer the top two.

Race 4: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW 2L4 85.77) or less/NW $77,500 life

(8) MOVING ON OVER gets class relief here and while he didn’t win his last race in this class, notice that the mile went in an insane 1:48 3/5. (4) BOBCAT BAY adds Bongiorno and seems likely to be heading to the front. (6) BET ON MAC picked up a win with Lasix added to the equation.

Race 5: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 $30,000) life/Maidens draw inside

(3) QUANDOQUANDOQUANDO took a big shot at the leader and hung in there rather well considering the trip. That was his first start in more than seven weeks and improvement seems possible. (8) CORVETTE STINGRAY finished a few lengths ahead of the top pick with a much smoother trip. He should be hustling off the gate and in a position to win. (5) CAPTAIN UNDERHAND also missed a bit of time before his last start but more importantly he stayed flat. He can build on that mile.

Race 6: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L2 $3,751) in last 5 - $50K GTD Pick 4

(1) COMPENSATE ME has no obvious form but should take this field to task. He’s well drawn, has the leading driver and finds a very soft spot. (9) MANSERTIVE could fire out tonight and if he makes the front without much resistance, he could get a nice piece at a price. (2) DANCING LEW should sit close and get a chunk of the exotics.

Race 7: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(6) KAY SAGE seems to be rounding into form after four starts this year and I’ll give him the slight edge. (10) AMIRA HANOVER didn’t seem to enjoy being grabbed up to allow another horse pass and made a wild break last week. Maybe they’ll just let her fly on the front here or maybe she was just too keyed up after missing four weeks. (4) DOMINICAN SUNSHINE switches conditions for new connections after a $16,200 online purchase. She might be a good fit here. (1) DIVIDED WE FALL isn’t the fastest of the group but has form.

Race 8: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L2 $12,500) in last 5 or 8 (NW L2 9) races life/TM 86.5 (NW 2L4 88.51) or less - Pick 5

(1) OUR SWEET DELIGHT A qualified well and got the tour of the track last week in his North American debut. He lands in a good spot to sit and pounce. (8) SOUTHWIND GENDRY could be interesting tonight if Bongiorno can hustle him to the front. He tends to get brave in those situations. (2) PAPIS PISTOL went stupid fractions on the engine at Pocono last time in his first start with Lasix added. Maybe start two will be better; talent is there. (6) EFFINGHAM is a capable horse that can get a nice slice of the exotics.

Race 9: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(4) GO LONG was a very good second best to a better horse last week. As always, when this guy decides to behave he has a big shot. Can Carter keep him trotting? (5) MASSIVE MATTER exits the amateur ranks and is highly likely to be firing to the front. (2) JAKEY JUMPUP comes off a win and has been racing well outside of the break on the smaller track at Goshen.

Race 10: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2 82.5) or less - $50K GTD Pick 4

(10) CAPTAIN UP has been super at this level lately and perhaps drawing post 10 will get us a good price. (4) GOODBYE STRANGER wasn’t bad from a bad post last time. He’s perfectly drawn now and should have a big shot on the win end. (3) AIN’T NOSTOPN TIME could be firing to the front and if he isn’t hounded too much, a win is within reach.

Race 11: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L2 $3,000) in last 5/TM 77.5 (NW L2 79.5) or less/Opt. $12,500 Clm.

(3) LOVE THIS BAR beat up on a weaker class a week ago but really doesn’t face much tougher foes here; again. (2) REMARKABLE DE VIE didn’t get involved last time but moves to the inside of the gate now. He missed by just a nose in this class three starts back. (4) YANK MY HALO is a win threat with a better trip and flat line.

Race 12: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L2 79.5) or less/Opt. $12,500 Clm.

(2) OLLIE’S Z TAM tries to climb the claiming ladder for a third time and versus a field that has been either unsuccessful at this level or climbing as well, he has a big shot. (7) XPERT made it to this condition last week with a third after consecutive wins versus lesser; sharp and dangerous. (5) DEAN B HANOVER has early speed and some class but hasn’t been able to close out his miles.

Race 13: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(7) BIONIC went down the road last week with Bartlett jumping in the bike and there is no reason to think he can’t handle the class jump even with the driver change. (4) LOVETHEWAYYOULIE was racing great before jumping too high in class and then catching a 10-hole last time. He has a chance here at decent odds. (6) SERGEANT chased the top one around the track for second most recently and may be looking at a similar trip this time around.

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Race 14: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm.

(5) CAPTAIN CARTER has won his last two starts at this level and truly has a tactical edge over (6) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING, who missed by just a neck a level higher when last racing with Bartlett in the bike. He’s certainly dangerous. (3) SHORE OF HIMSELF has early speed and should be in good position.

Race 15: Trackmaster 68 (NW L4 69) or less

(7) JONAH has good form and plenty of early speed to fire off the gate. Catch driver replaces an amateur and that should help. (5) ROJAN’S WAY got a clean trip and just missed. Maybe that performance will help him turn the corner. (4) MIDNIGHT THUNDER drops to the Trackmaster basement and deserves some consideration. (6) MAC’S SKYWALKER has been in against somewhat better at Philly but I’m not convinced that means he’ll excel here.