Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 7/30

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 305-101-71-39 / $549.00 (-$61.00)

BEST BETS: 24-14-2-2 / $51.00 (+3.00)

SPOT PLAYS: 23-6-6-2 / $22.00 (-$24.00)

BEST BET: TEMPORAL HANOVER (11th)

SPOT PLAY: MANON (8th)

Race 1: TrackMaster 77 (NW L3/5 77.5/78.45) or less Series/Opt. $12,500 Claiming/Leg 1 starters - Pick 5

(1) SO DELIGHTFUL comes off a win, has been a decent performer over the track and adds Dunn. (3) HENRICO moves to the inside of the gate and seems likely to be put in play. (10) PROSPECTORS GOLD was a very good second in a 1:50 3/5 mile last time. The post hurts but there seems to be some ability here.

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Race 2: TrackMaster 77 (NW L3/5 77.5/78.45) or less Series/Opt. $12,500 Claiming/Leg 1 starters

(8) BARON MICHAEL drops back down and four starts back he left the gate hard to win against lesser; expecting similar tactics and a good result. (3) OUR THIRD ROCK and (4) REGAL ESCAPE both raced very well in leg one but the former will likely offer better value since Dunn chose #4. (6) BEACH CHIEF was also an opening leg winner and one who toughed it out on the rim. Still, he's 2-for-30 lifetime.

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Race 3: Non-winners $5,000 (NW L7 $6,130) in last 5 or in 2022 or 2 races in 2022 - Pick 6

(1) DEALER'S TABLE was sharp in his first start since November. With that race under his belt he should be even better now. (6) LUC ROCKS got caught in a quick mile when last seen here. While this race won't go slow, he deserves a second look. (3) SAYING GRACE N tends to race well at this level and while I prefer him underneath, he could step up. (9) LITERL LAD HANOVER seemed to take a step forward last time.

Race 4: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5/TM 84.5 or less

(2) SO FIA LOLITA was doing good things in Canada and looked super with Lasix added in the qualifier last weekend. Trainer Nik Drennan has excelled bringing in fresh horses from up north. (5) CHASE LOUNGE has enjoyed his time in these overnight races. Mare is fast off the gate and should be in position to succeed. (8) BALANCE should appreciate the drop out of stakes company. The question is whether she'll be put in play from the outside post.

Race 5: Non-winners $10,500 in last 5/TM 87 or less - Survivor 7

There is plenty of potential early speed in here that could turn this race upside down in a hurry so we'll stick with the best horses rather solely looking for the best value. (3) MY PAL JOE came up with a sharp effort despite missing three months of action. If he steps up off that mile the rest of these are in trouble. (9) LOU’S PEARLMAN has struggled as a 4-year-old versus some tough older competition. Classy Burke trainee is supposed to show up against these. (6) THE DARK SHADOW raced ok last time from the back and now he steps a notch down the condition ladder and draws the best post at the track.

Race 6: Non-winners $20,000 in last 5 or 10 races (NW L3 11) life/TM 92.70 or less/NW $3,625 p.s. in 2021/22

(4) BILLY CLYDE is proving week after week that he is this good and perhaps at some point we'll see him step up to stakes company. For now he is milking this condition for all it is worth. (3) DA DELIGHTFUL has been in against a who's who of the Open stakes ranks recently. The last time he landed at the NW20000 level he won at a price with this driver. (6) BETTORS DONTTELL seems like a lock to hit the ticket and a possibility to get it all with the right trip.

Race 7: Tompkins-Geers 3YO C&G Pace - $50K GTD Pick 4

(4) MAD MAX HANOVER took a big step forward last time after riding live cover in the Meadowlands Pace. Assuming he doesnt get bet under 2-1, I'd be on board. (5) ENERGETIC HANOVER gets a serious test tonight but seems to have the chops to hang with this group. (1) EARLY ACTION saw his night end behind the gate in the Meadowlands Pace. We know there is talent here but I'm not sure you are going to get proper value given his current form.

Race 8: Hambletonian Oaks Elimination

(5) MANON has been managed nicely leading up to this race and can't be faulted for a fine effort behind Fashion Schooner in the Del Miller. She gets the narrow call over (3) VENERABLE because she appears to have a tactical edge and could be setting the pace. The latter seems to be getting better every week and will not go down without a fight. (2) SELFIE QUEEN behaved last time and finished only a few lengths behind #3. She has the natural speed to compete but needs to mind her manners.

Race 9: Hambletonian Elimination - Pick 6

The post draw certainly wasn't kind to (8) REBUFF but he remains far and away the best of this group from everything I've seen in 2022. You have to expect Tetrick to show at least some early speed and to take charge at some point on the backstretch. (3) FAST AS THE WIND still needs to prove himself to some extent but I'm not going to hold his last two races against him since the last was simply a prep and prior to that he was dealt a bad draw. Tonight is the night to show what he has in the tank. (4) BRANDED BY LINDY rebounded nicely last time but needs to find at least another second in his tank to compete on the win end. (7) PERICULUM is a "Steady Eddie" type who can keep up at any speed. Can he step up with a monster effort one day?

Race 10: Hambletonian Oaks Elimination

(1) FASHION SCHOONER has been my Oaks pick from the get-go and there is no reason to jump off the bandwagon at this point. The inside draw isn't ideal but a yield and brush mile seems highly likely. (5) DELILAH HANOVER can take a bit of air and also can get away good enough to work out a cover trip. Can she pick up that length or two she needs to win? (6) BAPTISM has the early speed to make the top and I expect Svanstedt to have her ready. (4) RAISED BY LINDY didn't show up last time but I watched a Hambletonian Society interview where it was mentioned she was in heat that week. Her best is good enough to compete but it may take a lifetime mark to win.

Race 11: Hambletonian Elimination - $50K GTD Pick 4

(3) TEMPORAL HANOVER came up just short versus Rebuff in the Stanley Dancer and while some of the betting public will think otherwise, he loses very little if anything getting one of the top drivers in the world in the bike this week. Walner colt was freshened up nicely in June and should be ready to peak. (10) JOVIALITY S is undefeated this year and already has a win versus the boys. She will overcome post 10 to be involved here but I'd rather play against her as the chalk. (6) KING OF THE NORTH continues to prove very game in the stretch but at some point he has to win one before I'd be willing to get on his train. Also, how will the loss of Lasix affect him? (7) B A SUPERHERO came up a bit flat last time but deserves another shot.

Race 12: Tompkins-Geers 3YO Filly Pace

(6) TREACHEROUS DRAGON came up short after not going a fast pari-mutuel mile in a few weeks. The price shift drifts over even-money now and this looks like the time to hop on board. (8) BOUDOIR HANOVER just missed last time on the engine and she remains a serious threat. (2) MAX CONTRACT looked spectacular charging home to pass these last time. Now that she has proven herself you have to respect her chance, but she's still risky as a closer.

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Race 13: Miss Versatility Open Mare Trot

(6) BELLA BELLINI is perhaps now officially the Queen of this division after winning four straight stakes. Unless (2) ATLANTA can tap into her class and find another gear I fear she'll be chasing home Bella Bellini nearing the wire. (4) WESLYNN QUEST has the early speed to get the front and enough staying power to last for an exotic spot.

Race 14: TrackMaster 81.25 (NW L2/4 81.8/82.40) or less Series/Opt. $17,500 Claiming/Leg 1 starters

(3) DA GHETTO WIZARD took a shot on the rim last time and understandably tired. Prior to that he was a fast-closing second. With the right trip here he can upset. (4) ROCKABILLY CHARM sat a great trip and exploded to a going-away victory last weekend; one to beat now. (7) TUXEDO BAY has won two straight in this class at 22-1 and 19-1. This may be the wrong time to jump on ship. (8) JIMS PERFECT TEN can't seem to buy a win this year. He may be helped here by an off-the-pace trip and could close for a decent piece.