Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 7/24

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 294-98-58-50 / $555.20 (-$32.80)

BEST BETS: 22-8-7-2 / $28.80 (-15.20)

SPOT PLAYS: 22-8-5-2 / $49.60 (+$5.60)

BEST BET: PIPER HANOVER (8th)

SPOT PLAY: MY ABIGAIL (2nd)

Race 1: Non-winners $6,000 in last 5/NW $1 in 2020-21 or $1,401 in last 3 - Pick 5

Like many of these, (2) HENDERSON SEELSTER chased a runaway winner who simply found the race of his life last weekend. He should be able to sit the pocket here behind (9) SOUTHWIND FROST and have every opportunity to shine. The latter should easily make the front. He isn't the fastest in the field but could get lucky if able to rate. (8) CHIPLOSIVE & (7) SKYWAY KON MAN are very capable but have no early speed and will need to pass many horses.

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Race 2: Non-winners 2 (NW L3 3) life or 3YO Fillies that are NW $35,000 life

(4) MY ABIGAIL rallied well when last seen three weeks ago, and with only one start in seven weeks this Hambletonian Oaks-eligible filly seems likely to get aired out a bit more to prepare. Trainer Luc Blais rarely sends out a bad horse here. (3) KISS AN ANGEL also finished well in her last start here and gets a better post to work with this time. (8) KILDARE KING chased in a huge 1:51 2/5 mile last week. You know he is gunning for the front but he also breaks quite often; tough call.

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Race 3: TrackMaster 74.5 (NW L3/FM 75.5) or less - Survivor 7

(5) WATCHMENEIGHNEIGH qualified back nicely for a good percentage barn and certainly lands in a comfortable spot. (1) MR CARROTTS has been finishing well in two starts since returning from a brief break and despite his poor record this year, he could be a player. (4) MISTER HAT missed by just a neck when last in this class. I wouldn't be shocked if we saw early speed from him here.

Race 4: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5/NW $6,251 or 1 race in last 5 draw inside

(7) KENZIESKY HANOVER had her head handed to her vs. Manchego and now finds herself in a cozier spot. While she should flaunt her class, there are others who are capable of giving her trouble on their best, so don't take a short price. (6) HOCKEY HANOVER came up with a monster mile last time virtually out of nowhere. If he doesn't bounce and can do it again, he's likely going to win. (5) DOUBLE ACCOUNT raced well last time and won in his last stop at this condition.

Race 5: TrackMaster 82.16 to 86.40/NW $9,000 (NW L5 $9,715) in last 5

(3) ALICORN won in this class two starts back and chased a runaway winner last time. Classy 4-year-old is still working her way into top form and finds a good spot. (7) UPTOWN LADY N rallied well off the layoff last time and seems to have some ability. She was only a length behind (6) PONDER THE ODDS in that race and will offer much better value tonight. (2) IDEATION HANOVER lost a neck and a nose in her last two starts against similar company.

Race 6: Tompkins-Geers 3YO Colts & Geldings Trot - $50K GTD Pick 4

The competition gets much easier for (7) VENERATE this week and that should allow him to race however he wants in a mostly stress-free environment. He clearly has some questions to answer but as long as we don't have to take an odds-on price, I'd roll the dice that he behaves. (4) LOCATELLI doesn't seem to be at the head of the Hambletonian class but he's certainly fast enough to stay with this bunch and get a big piece. (6) AMBASSADOR HANOVER has only finished worse than second once this year. He's almost certain to gun to the top and will get an acid test for his Hambletonian chances.

Race 7: Tompkins-Geers 3YO Filly Trot

(4) ADIRONDACK and (2) WET MY WHISTLE have a tactical advantage here as they will likely come away close to the front while (8) HOT AS HILL and (9) MAY KARP have to navigate difficult outside posts. 'Adirondack' gets the narrow call having beaten Wet My Whistle two starts back.

Race 8: Tompkins-Geers 3YO Filly Trot - Pick 6

(3) PIPER HANOVER stormed home for an impressive victory after missing five weeks of action and seems on path for a Hambletonian Oaks appearance. (1) AUNT IRENE showed some signs of life in her second start on hobbles. This gal has ability and might finally be on the right track. (7) ANOKA HANOVER also took a step in the right direction last time out. She looked like the best filly in the country on May 21. Can she find that form again? (6) MATERIAL GIRL is probably a step or two behind the top ones but capable with the right setup.

Race 9: Non-winners $12,500 (NW L3 $13,750) in last 5 or 7 races life

(3) FORTIFY got caught in a fast race, from a bad post and still finished third. This guy is still improving and can be tough in this spot. (1) SAVE ME A DANCE drops out of the Graduate and into a much, much easier spot; threat. (5) SERIOUSLY HANOVER has been facing some strong competition lately. This isn't an easy spot but perhaps the big track will be a nice switch considering his off the pace style. (9) BETTER TAKE IT gets a bad post switch but comes out of the same race as the top pick. Maybe Smith can work out a good trip at a better than usual price.

Race 10: Tompkins-Geers 3YO Colts & Geldings Trot - $50K GTD Pick 4

(2) REALLY FAST sticks out in this field like a sore thumb. He comes off a serviceable qualifier and only needs to mind his manners to find the winner's circle. (1) CALLE PALEMA lacks the talent of #2 but can sit close and close out a short exacta. (7) CARUSO has some ability when he decides to trot.

Race 11: Non-winners $17,500 (NW L/S $20,030) in last 5 or 9 (NW L/S 10) races life

(4) AMERICAN HISTORY was victimized by a soft pace as he had no shot of closing from the back. That was his first start in three weeks and he can definitely be tighter now. (2) DE LOS CIELOS DEO comes out of the same race as the top one and suffered the same fate while rallying past him. (5) LYONS STEEL has the early speed to make the front and if American History doesn't leave, this guy could prove tough.

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Race 12: Winners 2-4 (NW L3 5) races or $50,000 life/TM 86.06 or less

(3) ALBERGITA HANOVER has never looked like a good half-mile horse to me and she finally gets the chance to stretch her legs on the larger track tonight. (4) WINGDING HANOVER closed well in this class last time and has been racing consistently well most of the year. (8) LADY LOU has the early speed to make the front and could go far if she isn't used too hard securing that position. (7) SO IRRESISTIBLE drops out of stakes action and by all rights should show more.

Race 13: TrackMaster 80.15 to 81.39 or winner 81.90 last start/AE: NW3500 (NW L3 $3,850) in last 5

(1) ALLGONOWHOA went a career-best mile with an amateur driver in his one start in this barn. He seems worth a shot here picking up Sears. (2) KINGOFTHEJUNGLE has big early speed, comes off a win and seems like the horse to beat. (5) OUTLITTLEGENERAL A missed only a neck in his last start over this track. (6) MCDREAMY is the other in the field with obvious early zip and none of these have better form.