Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 7/25/26

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 326-113-61-30 / $590.40 (-$61.60)

BEST BETS: 22-15-2-2 / $44.00 (+$0.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 23-7-3-4 / $40.60 (-$5.40)

BEST BET: HIGHLAND DESTINY (14th)

SPOT PLAY: NICHOLSON (10th)

Race 1: Trackmaster 80.5 (NW L2 82.5) or less - Pick 5

(5) WHAMMER JAMMER is in insane form right now and while the amateur driver takes on the pros, it’s not like he hasn’t competed with them in the past and held his own. (2) CAPTAIN UP owns a great recent record in this class including a pair of seconds and a win. (8) AROLNDAHAYBLUECHIP didn’t enjoy his trip to Goshen but owns two straight wins here versus lesser. He has a shot if the pace is fast enough.

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Race 2: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 $52,150) life/Maidens draw inside

(8) CORVETTE STINGRAY rolled in this class last week and seems to be getting a free ride tonight; driver change may provide slightly better value. (5) TWIN B MANHUNT is a new player to the Big M and one that has been very sharp up at Tioga. He should be hustled off the gate tonight and I wouldn’t be shocked if he pulled off an upset. (4) CAPTAIN UNDERHAND took a shot at the top one and was second best last time; leaning as an underneath player.

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

(6) J M MANDAMIN hasn’t been here in a while but he was always very comfortable in the claiming ranks at The Meadowlands and often won at higher levels than this one. While he finished way back at Ocean last time, notice that the mile went in 1:51 2/5 over the half; that’s smoking! (7) CHALK HANOVER almost overcame a tough spot to get the win last weekend. He’s a big win threat tonight, as is (8) CURBSIDE PICKUP, who got the job on his rival to get the win.

Race 4: Non-winners $10,500 (NW L2 $12,500) in last 5 or 8 (NW L2 9) races life/TM 86.5 (NW L2 88.5) or less - Pick 6

(1) FEDERER returns to The Meadowlands and won here in a higher class back in May. Bongiorno should be hustling this guy away from the gate and have him in play. (3) OUR SWEET DELIGHT A elected to scratch rather than race on a sloppy track last week. He took a tour of the track in his first U.S. try and should be ready for more now. (9) SOUTH NEACH STAR has big gate speed and will be using it. (2) SOUTHWIND GENDRY was somewhat disappointing last time but we know he is capable in this condition.

Race 5: Trackmaster 77.5 (NW L2 79.5) or less/Opt. $12,500 Clm.

(7) BET A BUNDLE takes a step down on the Trackmaster class system. You have to expect he’ll be put in play. (4) HUNGRYHUNGRY HIPPO took the same drop a couple of starts back and has hit the board in both races since. (5) AIN’T NOSTOPN TIME hasn’t been very good in his last two starts and perhaps that provides an opportunity to get a big price on a horse that is certainly capable. (2) STORM THE COURT falls into the same category with three straight off-the-board races. He has big speed off the gate and could make some noise; Dunn drives!

Race 6: Tompkins-Geers 3YO Filly Trot - $50K GTD Pick 4

(5) CREATOR was clearly beaten by (7) JAILBIRD JOG last time but certainly has room to improve after just one real start this year. Walner-sired filly has talent and is one more good race away from a potential Hambletonian Oaks appearance. The latter looks like a 3-5 shot on the board and rightfully so as she has proven herself from on or off the pace. (1) SHE’S MONI was a horse I was somewhat high on but my confidence is fading. Zeron sticks here over a couple of others.

Race 7: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.05) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm.

(7) DRAGON CRUISE faded on the lead in her first start for this barn but I’m not going to hold that against her since they only had the horse for a few days. Trainer now calls on a catch driver and a better performance seems likely. (4) HELEN BACK AGAIN moves up a level on the TM scale but was such a convincing winner that I think she can handle it. (8) SPROUT has picked up consecutive second-place finishes in this condition; needs pace help.

Race 8: Trackmaster 83.5 (NW L2 85.5) or less - Survivor 7

This is a tricky race and a number of horses could win given a peak effort or good trip. (8) HUNTINGFORCHROME lost his way as a 4-year-old and hasn’t been able to put it all together at 5 either. Engblom took over the training and there was some slight improvement in start two. Maybe the switch to the mile track is what this guy needs to awaken. (7) SEEN HERE moves in a couple of slots on the gate and picks up the meet’s top driver. (1) GRAND CAYMAN comes to town in good shape and certainly merits some multi-race exotic consideration.

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

(7) LOU ON THE BEACH has been holding his own versus some sharp mid-level claimers of late. Moving to the TM ranks I have to believe he’ll be firing off the gate. (5) XPERT was a winner when last seen at this level but I’d warn that he isn’t worth a short price if people flock to his corner. (6) T’S RAIDER II seems to be turning the corner with a couple of good closing efforts lately.

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

(5) NICHOLSON raced pretty well in his 2026 debut considering he had only one qualifier three weeks prior and hadn’t been in a pari-mutuel race since October 2025. In a field without a standout, let’s give him a shot. (2) GABES LUCK and (3) SKILLFUL TACTICS both went clean lines in nearly identical times after missing five weeks. Either could show more now.

Race 11: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.5) or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(4) PRINCESS ARONA hasn’t been able to break through at this level of late but does reunite with Beckwith this week. The pair hooked up for a win a few starts back. (2) DUCK INTO THE NITE returns to The Big M tonight. Her last go here was in this class and she was used too hard trying for the lead. The road should be smoother this time. (7) DOMINICAN SUNSHINE was just even in her first start for these connections. Maybe we see more this week.

Race 12: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.53) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm.

(4) ALL TOO WELL should have a clear route to the front and work out no worse than a pocket trip. The key question is whether he’s gone sour or will perk back up on the class drop. (6) MR GRANT is another class-dropper and one who picked up a win and a second in his last two starts at the TM71 level. (8) MASSTER BLUE reunites with Bongiorno.

Race 13: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm. - $3 Pick 3

(5) SHORE OF HIMSELF ran into a hot Bionic in his start two back with McCarthy in the bike and he deserves another look here with another catch driver at the helm. (4) CAPTAIN CARTER had won his previous two starts in this class before being used to the front and racing on a track that wasn’t great for early speed took its toll last time. He’s worth consideration in the Pick 4. (6) ALWAYS A WAY is plenty sharp and should only be helped by the switch from an amateur pilot to Beckwith. (7) URBAN RENEWAL deserves some consideration on the driver change angle to Zeron.

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Race 14: Tompkins-Geers 3YO C&G Trot - $5 Late Double

(2) HIGHLAND DESTINY dealt with a bit of adversity last week and kept his composure, which was certainly a good sign. He trotted home in a stellar 26 2/5 and now needs to take care of business versus this field if he truly is a Hambletonian horse. (5) MINOAN will be firing to the front as usual. He’s another looking to prove his worth ahead of the biggest date of the year. (1) DAVID SEAMAN S has been a consistent 1:52 and change trotter of late. I’m not sure that time wins this mile.

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

(1) HUNGRY FOR PROFITS is back at the TM68 level where he won two starts back. This is the best chance for the newest Dunn to get a Big M win. (3) STONE COLD SAVAGE lands back on the inside of the gate and may be able to save ground and pounce at a big price. (4) BOURBONS COURAGE has early speed and decent form but hasn’t won a race in 49 starts dating back to late 2024.