Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 7/25

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 148-42-30-24 / $192.30 (-$103.70)
BEST BETS: 11-5-4-1 / $23.60 (+$1.60)
BEST BET: DORSODURO HANOVER (9th)
SPOT PLAY: SAMS TRIPLE CROWN (7th)

Race 1: Non-winners $2,500 in last 5 - $40K GTD Pick 5

(3) CALVIN B comes to town in decent form and has a history of doing good work here. Ten-year-old faces the bottom level conditioned pacers here and should enjoy the easy competition. (2) TEXICAN N has good early speed and should set up shop in a good spot. (6) THESPYWHOLOVEDME never got in play from post 8 at Philly in his lone start since early February; recent qualifier was good.

Race 2: Tompkins Geers

(4) ROME PAYS OFF looked very good winning his 2020 debut at Philly and probably needs to be stretched out before the Hambletonian more than most. In a field that seems to lack early speed, he should be marching to the front. (3) REAL COOL SAM adds hobbles this week and that could be just what the doctor ordered to get this guy back on track. Check him out in the post parade to see if his gait looks smoother. (1) JULA TRIX TREASURE has been very consistent but lacks early zip and may be closing into a very fast final quarter after slow fractions in a short field.

Race 3: Non-winners $7,000 in last 5/TM Rating 83 or less

(4) STATEMENT MADE A picked up some confidence whipping an easy field last weekend. Australian import can come right back with another win. (6) DECISION DAY went a big two-move mile in defeat a couple of weeks back against a class-dropper; player in here. (2) LYONS KING tired after getting used on the engine at Pocono. With a decent trip, he could be involved. (8) SWEET ROCK has loads of class and would be no shock if he is feeling good.

Race 4: Tompkins Geers - Pick 6

(3) COMMON SENSE S is the lone horse in the field that can't have Hambletonian Oaks aspirations. This gal has burned me before, but those races were against much better competition. I'll give her a shot here. (4) NEXT LEVEL STUFF comes here undefeated after taking the easy road to the Oaks. I'm not ready to accept short odds, though I respect her chances. (2) HALL OF AM S looked like a serious horse when qualifying but hasn’t put it all together quite yet. Trainer Marcus Melander mentioned that she went into heat when the weather got warm and he's excited to see her race Saturday; hmmm.

Race 5: Non-winners 4/5 races or $50,000/$60,000 life

(8) CAVIART ROCKLAND has been keeping some good company lately and while this field isn't 'easy', I'd expect him to be blasting off the gate with a big effort tonight. (4) ROCK ME HARD has taken quite a bit of air and racing well. He seems like a clear player. (2) JM MANDAMIN raced well in a fast mile when last seen here.

Race 6: Tompkins Geers - $50K GTD Pick 4

(2) MS SAVANNAH BELLE comes off an awful line on paper, but let's remember that it was her first start of the year against a better field from a tough post. We get Sears in the bike this time and the talent is there for her to upset. (6) SISTER SLEDGE has never finished worse than third in her career. She's a clear player but not a horse I want to back at a short price. (4) SHERRY LYNS LADY seems to have her act together after some breaks in qualifying action in June; another contender.

Race 7: Non-winners $7,000 in last 5/TM Rating 83 or less/Opt. $20,000 Clm.

(4) SAMS TRIPLE CROWN tends to come up big and show early speed when he drops in class. Best of all for his connections is that he can win and stay in this class. (10) JK WILDFIRE also moves down the claiming ladder. The post hurts but he is capable. (1) SPICEBOMB closed well last time; using underneath.

Race 8: Non-winners $10,000 in last 5/TM Rating 86 or less

(4) HOT DEUCE would've gotten the job done as my 32-1 top pick last week if not for an abundance of stretch traffic. The price will be much lower now, unfortunately. (5) THATSWHATISAID N has raced well week after week and only needs the right trip to win. (8) OLLIE'S ZTAM has ability if he can keep his act together. (1) HARAMBE DEO moves to the inside of the gate and has some class.

Race 9: Non-winners $20,000 in last 5 or 10 races life/TM Rating 91 or less

(4) DORSODURO HANOVER was written into this race on a "not 3rd or better in last 6 starts" condition. Grand Circuit player outclasses this group and should get good in a hurry. (6) ANGERS BAYAMA made the drop out of stakes last week and posted a big mile; McCarthy's choice of four. (7) ESCAPETOTHEBEACH has been racing well week after week but I'm not sure he gets to the top here.

Race 10: Non-winners $14,000 in last 5/TM Rating 88.5 or less - $40K GTD Pick 4

(5) DE LOS CIELOS DEO exited stakes action last week and threw in a break but finished well regardless. He stretches out to the big track this week and should have every chance to shine. (2) U S CAPTAIN disappointed in some respects but still raced reasonably well last week; one to beat. (7) FRANCO TOTEM N is in form now. He'll likely revert to more patient tactics this week and remains a trip threat.

Race 11: Non-winners $4,000 in last 5/TM Rating 80.1 or less

(5) UNLOADED N came up with a sharp mile in defeat last time when entered in this condition. He should prove tough to beat. (7) IWILLMAKEYOUSAYWOW came up short in his first start in three months and now has missed four more weeks. If feeling good, he is very much a contender. (1) HEAVENLY SOUND drops a notch and figures to be rolling hard off the gate.

Race 12: Trackmaster Rating 78 or less

(3) IDEAL SON put in two solid efforts before drawing post 10 last time. In a weak field, at what should be a healthy price, he's worth a shot. (4) DAVIDS COMING HOME opened up a big lead and lasted two starts back. Gingras is likely to be aggressive in a field lacking early speed. (8) I’LL CALL U LATER raced well most recently; another outside post hurts.

Race 13: Trackmaster Rating 73.5 or less

(1) SUTTON SEELSTER is a sharp horse for a barn that has been sending out only live horses here. He should be hustled away from the inside for Dube and be in position to win. (9) DRAMATIC POINT found his grove last week after a long dry spell. It would be no surprise if he scored again. (2) SPONDULICKS N is hard to love on the win end but seems like an exotics must-use. (5) MAKE IT BIG stayed flat last Friday. He's a threat on his best.