Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 7/23

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 278-90-65-37 / $486.00 (-$70.00)

BEST BETS: 22-14-2-2 / $51.00 (+7.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 21-5-6-2 / $17.60 (-$24.40)

BEST BET: DATE NIGHT (11th)

SPOT PLAY: DOUBLE DECEIVER (7th)

Race 1: Non-winners $7,500 (NW L3 $8,251) in last 5 or 4 (NW L2 5) races life/NW 2 in 2022 - Pick 5

(2) WALKNAFTER MIDNITE gets class and post relief for a barn that has been hot most of the year when its horses land in good spots. Notice the last two weeks he was caught in 1:48 miles. (3) BETTER TAKE IT closed from far back to be second in this class last time and now he draws better. Back in June he found early speed and won in his previous start in this condition. (8) STONEBRIDGE REEF was Dunn's choice over a few others in here including #3. (5) MY PAL JOE is good enough to play with these when sharp but could need a start after just one 1:52 qualifier following multiple months on the sidelines.

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Race 2: Tompkins-Geers 3YO Filly Trot

(4) MON CHEVAL was always thought to have talent and speed but really hasn't gotten better as a 3-year-old. She gets one final chance to prove herself in what shapes up as a soft field. (3) CASH MACHINE GIRL was rolling along before the break last time. (1) BRICKHOUSE BABE has kept good company of late between stakes and facing older. While she is winless on the year, perhaps this is a chance for her to step up.

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Race 3: Tompkins-Geers 3YO C&G Trot – Pick 6

(5) LETSDOIT S didn't have much luck in the Dancer and gets another chance tonight versus a much easier group. (7) STRIDE THE HILL took charge and never looked back last time and now faces better. He’s hard to love but worthy of Pick 5 inclusion. (4) S I P is far from flashy but fairly consistent if you are looking at the exotics.

Race 4: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L2 $5,600/3YO $6,001) in last 5/TM 82.9 or less

(2) FABRIZIO N gets class and post relief after starting from the far outside the last four weeks. He's not the most reliable horse in the world and I wouldn't play him as the chalk, but he's got a big shot. (8) STRAIGHT TALK missed by just a neck in this class a couple of weeks back. (9) HEZA REAL DIAMOND double-drops in class and if he is right they'll be chasing him for second money. (7) SWEET TRUTH and (6) BAILEYS ROCK N are two more moving down in company who could step up with the right trip.

Race 5: TrackMaster 77 (NW L3/5 77.5/78.45) or less Series/Opt. $12,500 Claiming - Survivor 7

(2) OUR THIRD ROCK has been racing well of late and he tends to be near the front when he races over this surface. Being near the front seems like a good place in a weak field that doesn't seem to have much speed. (3) MV OK PALACIO BR is always a threat from off the pace if he can get some early speed to set him up. (7) BAY BRUTE is another with early speed and while he's winless on the year, he should be a part of this race. (8) CAINO BAGS ANSO drops in for a tag again to get into this series. He should race well for a good barn.

Race 6: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5 or $14,550 L5 or in 2022/TM 84.5 or less

(10) HOT MESS EXPRESS turned in a strong qualifier after more than a month on the sidelines. Four-year-old hasn't done much yet this year but has the ability to beat this field up despite the post. (6) CHASE LOUNGE made the top from post 10 and finished second the last time she was in this class. (8) SO IRRESISTIBLE hasn't missed the board in her last four starts. (9) BEYOND WORDS N and (7) BETTORS HEART N are both dropping on paper.

Race 7: Tompkins-Geers 3YO Colt Trot - $50K GTD Pick 4

(2) DOUBLE DECEIVER raced very well in the Yonkers Trot to get second money and now likely needs to stretch out with a big mile if there is any shot of him competing in the Hambletonian. I'm curious to see what this guy can do. (1) FINN PALEMA has looked good each week with the exception of when he broke; contender if the top one falters. (3) CLASSIC HILL has the speed to go to the front but still hasn't put it all together in 2022.

Race 8: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5 or 8 races life/TM 87 or less/4YO NW50K in 2022

(5) VENERATE came out strong but has been getting his head handed to him versus stakes foes of late. This is the type of race he's supposed to win. (6) CRYSTAL FASHION went a big mile in defeat and figures to be even sharper with that start under his belt; classy. (1) DOUBLE ACCOUNT bested #6 last time in a nice effort; tougher spot overall. (9) BALENCIAGA is capable and has the early speed to make the top.

Race 9: Non-winners $20,000 (NW L3 $22,000) in last 5 or 10 races or $100,000 life/TM 92 or less – Pick 6

(3) BILLY CLYDE went a monster mile in defeat last time and remains in career form. (6) COVERED BRIDGE clearly needed the race last week after three months on the sidelines. He may be able to show a bit more now and with a young driver aboard perhaps he'll get aggressive. (1) BACKSTREET SHADOW used every ounce of class in him to get up versus #3 last time. He's a player here but not one I want to bet as the chalk.

Race 10: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5 or in 2022/TM 89 or less

(9) WES DELIGHT took another step forward last time as he chased one of the sharper horses at the track and another millionaire. This looks like a field he can wire. (5) BLLACK HOLE drops a notch. Six-year-old has ability and it will shine through sooner or later. (1) SOUTH BEACH STAR qualified back nicely. While he's had a tough start to his 4-year-old campaign, he does have talent and I wouldn't completely ignore him.

Race 11: Tompkins-Geers 3YO Filly Trot - $50K GTD Pick 4

(7) DATE NIGHT wasn't bad in the Del Miller as she took a small step forward in her second start of the year. This represents a huge dip in class and she should break out in a big way. (4) PALERMO HANOVER probably lacks the pure speed of a couple in here but she's reliable and consistent, good qualities against a field with some breakers and horses that can't always last the mile. (2) GRACELYN HANOVER has the natural talent to succeed but can't seem to stay trotting.

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Race 12: TrackMaster 81.25 (NW L2/4 81.80/82.40) or less Series

None of these really jump off the page for me so let's try a price with (5) ATOMIC BLAST N. He’s perfectly placed in mid pack with the option of leaving or searching for cover and is certainly fast enough. (8) BELL FAMILY has the speed to make the top and the form to go a long way. (1) DA GHETTO WIZARD rallied nicely last time at this level.

Race 13: TrackMaster 81.25 (NW L2/4 81.80/82.40) or less Series

(1) ROCKABILLY CHARM finally draws an inside post and it should help him stay close early so he won't have to rally too far late. (3) LIKE CLOCKWORK has succeeded here many times in the past and has legitimate early speed. (4) LATE MAIL N has been the victim of outside posts at Yonkers; using.

Race 14: TrackMaster 77 (NW L3/5 77.5/78.45) or less Series/Opt. $12,500 Claiming

(4) REGAL ESCAPE rallied well in a fast mile in his first start for this trainer. He moves in a few spots on the gate tonight and should work out a good trip. (6) THNDRFRMTHETHRON N should be firing to the front and could certainly keep going. (3) TRY LINE was ok from a tough post in his Estrada barn debut; more now? (5) SUNSHINE'S FINEST switches back to a catch-driver this week.