Meadowlands: Analysis for Saturday 9/4

FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 375-128-73-66 / $718.30 (-$31.70)

BEST BETS: 28-10-8-3 / $33.30 (-22.70)

SPOT PLAYS: 28-11-7-3 / $62.60 (+$6.60)

BEST BET: HEZA REAL DIAMOND (1st)

SPOT PLAY: NIMAH FRANCO N (7th)

Race 1: Non-winners $3,500 (NW 2 L5 $3,850) in last 4/TM 78.67 or less - Pick 5

(2) HEZA REAL DIAMOND got a good tightener in at Freehold after taking a few weeks off. He's way below his normal Big M class level and should win for fun. (4) PALOMAR returned from two months off with a win at Vernon. If the top one falters at all, he's the most logical winner. (3) REIGNING DEO gets an interesting trainer change to Pelling and seems worth some consideration. (1) A BETTOR BEACH lacks the class of the top trio but should certainly be in the number somewhere.

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Race 2: Non-winners 2-5 races life/Maidens draw inside

We've said this before: If (7) CARUSO elects to trot he's going to be very tough to beat in this race. The switch back to The Meadowlands helps and if anyone can keep him relaxed it is new driver Brian Sears, but the risk is real. (8) CREDITRINA likes to be put in play and has a win over a big track. (1) CHABLIS gets a substantial amount of class relief and one has to think she'll race well, but her 0-for-19 career record is tough to stomach.

Race 3: Non-winners $2,000 (NW L3 $2,200) in last 4/TM 76.35 or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm. – Survivor 7

(2) MARVELOUSTRIX doesn't visit the winner's circle often but tends to wake up in the right spots, and this is one of them. Steve Smith charge should have a big shot in a tough-to-figure low-level trot. (5) WINGS OF SPEED is down in class, but shows no form and breaks in two of his last four starts. (3) SHARED INTEREST A and (7) KATKIN AND COKE both have aggressive drivers and should be forwardly placed.

Race 4: Non-winners 3 races or $30,000 life/Maidens, 2YOs draw inside

(5) METALLICA went some decent miles north of the border and should fit very nicely in this spot for new trainer Wayne Givens. (6) ICANGOGO finished willingly last week on a bigger track and perhaps we'll see a bit more early speed this time. (4) MICKEYS SPIRIT is a 4-year-old with four career starts, so something hasn't gone well along the way. That said, he's been first or second three times.

Race 5: Non-winners $6,000 (NW L2 $6,975) in last 4/TM 81.90 or less/NW $25,000 in 2020-21

(1) TUXEDO BAY is way down in class and should be firing off the gate with George Nap in the bike. (5) BLOOD BROTHER tried in the pocket last time after chasing quick fractions, so that effort is excusable. Classy veteran posted two solid tries from bad posts prior to that start. (4) SURREALIN stretched out on a big track last out and raced very well in defeat. NY-bred seems well-spotted. (6) JUMPING JAKE and (2) I'M A BIG DEAL both raced reasonably well last time in a comparable class at Philly.

Race 6: Open Trot - Pick 6

(5) LOVEDBYTHEMASSES dominated here on Hambletonian Day but has now missed four weeks. I still give him the edge for a hot Cullipher barn, but I wouldn't want 3-5. (3) CHAPTIAMA rallied well behind the top pick in the Vincennes and is coming off a strong effort at Yonkers. (1) GANGSTER HANOVER could get very aggressive in this spot and might take the field a long way.

Race 7: Non-winners $6,000 in last 4/TM 80 (NW L2 80.5) or less

(1) NIMAH FRANCO N was a very easy winner in her U.S. debut over a track that seemed a bit deep to the naked eye. I can easily see her ripping off a sub 1:50 mile here. (2) SWEET LUCY LOU took a bit of time off and returned with a solid effort; more now? (6) IDEATION HANOVER has been under 10% on the win end the last two years but must be respected as a class-dropper for the track's leading trainer. (3) SWEET TALKER comes out of the same race as #6 and finished ahead of her last time.

Race 8: Non-winners $17,500 in last 4 or 9 races life/NW $12,500 L4 draw inside

(5) WARRIOR ONE has been tackling some tough foes at Pocono and settling for smaller pieces from off the pace. Expect to see early speed this week. (8) HILLEXOTIC has gone on a roll at Yonkers and now crosses the Hudson River to try The Big M again. He should be competitive. (7) DOUBLE ACCOUNT has ripped off some big miles here but does seem to be up in class. (6) SPOILED PRINCESS has been awful as a 4-year-old. Perhaps the change of location tonight will help.

Race 9: Non-winners $12,500 in last 4 or 7 (NW L3 8) races life - $50K GTD Pick 4

(3) BEE TWO BEE gets a major barn change to Burke. I wouldn't go accepting a very short price in this tough field, but with a bit of improvement he'll be tough. (7) ALWAYS A MIKI exits stakes competition and while this isn't an easy spot, it should be just what the doctor ordered to help perk him up. (5) DE LOS CIELOS DEO is more than good enough to beat this group if he decides to bring a top effort. (6) DEALER’S TABLE has been going good of late and clearly has a shot.

Race 10: Non-winners $17,500 in last 4 or 9 (NW L3 10) races life/NW $12,500 L4 or TM 82.50 draw inside

(8) WATCH ME NOW N went a big mile here in July to start her career on these shores. That 1:54 blowout qualifying win says she's ready to pop another strong effort. (2) ALICORN hasn't really been racing poorly and she's probably better suited for the big track. (5) SHE'S NUN BETTOR N returns here in what looks like a slightly softer spot than in the past. She was second here in a TM 92 race in late June.

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Race 11: Non-winners $17,500 (NW L3 $19,651) in last 4 or 9 (NW L3 10) races or $90,000 life

(5) RUTHLESS HANOVER has been in stakes races week after week and chasing the best pacers in the sport. This looks like the right spot to get him back on track. (1) ANA AFREET N also faces a softer group and could get brave in a hurry. (4) ROCKIN THE ACES has early speed which could prove very useful in the short field.

Race 12: Non-winners $2,000 (NW L3 $2,200) in last 4/TM 74.16 or less

In what is a formless and uninspiring race, (2) MR MCDREAMY has been keeping better company than most of these and really should win by default. (6) PARTY BOY has wins here each of the last two years and I like the driver change. (10) PANTHEON HANOVER could be firing out from post 10. (4) I'M NO PANSY has been racing better of late.