Meadowlands: Analysis for Thursday 7/9/26

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 252-86-50-23 / $454.60 (-$49.40)

BEST BETS: 17-11-2-1 / $31.60 (-$2.40)

SPOT PLAYS: 18-4-3-4 / $28.00 (-$8.00)

BEST BET: ROSE RUN COWBOY (14th)

SPOT PLAY: LOVE THIS BAR (13th)

Race 1: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 $30,000) life/Maidens draw inside - Pick 5

(6) APOCALYPSEBLUECHIP just went around the track in the Messenger while facing much better after missing more than a month of action. That effort should have him tighter and you can expect he’ll be firing out tonight. (7) CORVETTE STINGRAY is also facing easier after tackling two Meadowlands Pace horses last time. He’s another without many wins but doesn’t lack talent. (4) FLOOR IT FREDDIE drops out of TM80 for this class versus younger horses and should be somewhat competitive.

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Race 2: Trackmaster 68 (NW L4 69.15) or less

(8) COUNTRY DANCING dropped two seconds in her second start of the year and seems to be moving in the right direction for a win. (6) ALMOST KAREN finally gets away from post 10 after a long trip in her most recent race. She has a clear chance here and now Bartlett drives. (7) KENTUCKY MOONSHINE returns to the track where she won in 1:53 4/5 in this class two back.

Race 3: 2-year-old C&G Trot - Pick 6

(5) KOUNTRY WIN added hobbles in his last qualifier and was a completely different horse. When Dunn showed him daylight in mid-stretch he finished full of trot. This guy is a King Of The North half-brother to the nice trotting mare Winnpanzee ($360K). (1) A MAN WITHOUT LOVE exhibited an impressive burst in his first qualifier and wasn’t bad sprinting home in a good final quarter most recently. A good price is certainly in the offing and he’s not without a chance. (6) GUSTAV VASA seemed to improve in his second qualifier even if he was second best behind what seems to be a talented foe. He has early speed and that makes him more intriguing. Dunn also chose here over the top pick, but that could be a barn loyalty thing.

Race 4: Non-winners 2 (NW L2 3) races or $20,000 (NW L2 $30,000) life/Maidens draw inside

(4) SEVEN GRAND has been facing Spencer Hanover and Silverstein out of town. Svanstedt brings this guy back to The Meadowlands and I imagine will try be aggressive and see what this guy can do. (3) OPULENCE certainly has the pure talent to go with these if she can keep her act together. Last time she was just unlucky as the pace slowly dramatically and she ran right into the horse in front of her. (7) NICHOLSON comes off a non-descript qualifier but don’t let that make you think he can’t fly off the gate and be involved for a barn that tends to send them out ready. (5) LUCCHESE probably needs to go a bit faster but I’ve seen enough to think it is possible.

Race 5: Non-winners $2,500 (NW L2 $3,000) in last 5/TM 77.5 (NW L2 79.5) or less

(6) YANK MY HALO returns here at a reduced level and perhaps the recent break in stride will lead to a decent price. (1) OURMOMENTNTIME went too fast on the front and faded late at Philly last time. Perhaps the flat mile will inspire confidence in better things ahead. (5) CREDIT CON has missed more than a month but does get an interesting barn switch to Bongiorno; using in Pick 5. (3) SOUTHSIDE BAR gets a HUGE driver change to Dunn. Is this horse fast enough?

Race 6: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.41) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm. 

(7) DROP THE MIC was backed into badly on the final turn last time and ultimately broke when angled off the cones. The line looks terrible on paper and that might lead to good value in a field without much of a standout horse. (6) MASSTER BLUE was much better in his latest outing after a couple of duller tries. Veteran campaigner has the early speed to work out the right trip. (1) LANDIA is hard to love but should be somewhat close and get a share.

Race 7: $20,000-$25,000 Claiming Handicap

(8) CURBSIDE PICKUP has done good work in this class and tends to excel when Bongiorno decides to drive. He’s also quite adept from on and off the pace. (5) CHALK HANOVER was third behind the top pick about a month ago here. Beckwith gets along with him well and the post is perfect. (4) GALLIE GETAWAY is a capable horse when on his game. Perhaps the three weeks off will perk him up.

Race 8: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2 73.05) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm. - Pick 5

(5) QUEEN SUN RYSER raced reasonably well when dropped to this class last time. She should get away mid-pack here and have a reasonable chance of getting a live cover trip in a field with a number of early speed possibilities. (4) PEARL HARBOUR N went too fast on the lead last time at Vernon. The path to the top figures to be smoother this time. (8) EXQUISITE was an easy winner in 1:52 3/5 when last seen on this track.

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

(8) GOOD ROCKIN returns to The Meadowlands off a win but more importantly is back at the $10,000 claiming level. He’s got the class to trounce this field and should be fair value on the board. (4) LYLEGROUND is another one moving down the class ladder. He’s probably best suited in TM71 but you can say that about most of these. (7) KNOCKIN OUT can’t seem to buy a smooth trip. He was out a long way last time and should get a somewhat smoother journey moving in a few slots behind the gate. (5) CAPTAIN CARTER was Bongiorno’s choice over three others.

Race 10: Trackmaster 71 (NW L2/L4 73/73.18) or less/Opt. $7,500 Clm. 

(4) BIONIC is the rare horse I’m picking on the driver change angle alone. He’s proven more than fast enough to beat this field and getting Bartlett is a HUGE change. (7) MIDNIGHT LIGHTNING drops here after a bit of a tough trip where he had to work to catch cover and swing wide on the final turn. 14-year-old is still fighting the good fight and seems worth consideration at what should be a fair price. (2) HE’S A SWEETHEART has early speed and a good post. His last start at this level resulted in a win. (8) SEIZE CONTROL rarely takes a ton of money at the windows but consistently puts in good efforts in the TM71 condition. (5) SHORE OF HIMSELF and (6) THE BIG RAGOO are both seemingly capable of winning but might be underlays on the toteboard.

Race 11: 2-year-old C&G Pace

(7) STARSTRUCK DREAMER edged by professionally in his second qualifying start and while the post isn’t as good as last week when the card was canceled, the competition is much softer. A step forward tonight is certainly possible for a barn that sends them out ready. (5) STEAMBOAT WILLIE has finished with some late energy in both qualifiers and he is another who seemingly lands in a lighter weight class than last Friday. (6) IN ONE FELL SWOOP dug in very nicely for the win in qualifier number one but was just even last time. I could take a favorable view. (4) BIG DADDY COOL has been just ok in the morning but hails from a barn that typically has them ready on debut.

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

(4) GALANTE A was used to the front, faced plenty of pressure and all-in-all hung in there rather well in his last start. The road to the front should be less eventful this time. (5) DEAN B HANOVER comes out of the same race and never saw the pylons while pushing the top one throughout. Driver change here could be key. (3) HUNGRYHUNGRY HIPPO comes off a good line but had a smooth trip and will likely offer low value.

Race 13: Trackmaster 74.5 (NW L2 76.57) or less/Opt. $10,000 Clm.

(2) LOVE THIS BAR returns to The Big M and lands in a spot where he typically has success (4-1-2-0 in recent years). Here’s hoping his recent dull amateur efforts produce a good price. (4) ALL TOO WELL stepped up last week and continued his great form spree. At this point it is hard not to use him. (3) MR GRANT showed last time he can sprint to the front and if that happens here, you have to give him a shot. (8) NICCOLO and (7) ZAPPA finished one-two the last time they settled in this class over this surface.

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Race 14: 2-year-old C&G Pace

This field is filled with horses that qualified sharply. (7) ROSE RUN COWBOY had more than his line shows in qualifier #1 and uncorked a big response in the stretch in his most recent Gaitway qualifier. Huntsville colt gets the narrow call over (4) WISHAWAVE on the potential value angle since that one’s lines look more visually pleasing on paper. Bettor’s Wish colt was allowed to stride out but not shown the whip in start one and absolutely cruised on his own last time. There’s some ability here. (6) NIGHT AGENT angled wide late in his lone mile and powered past the leaders under some light asking. Captaintreacherous-sired half-brother to $1.7 million winner Perfect Sting might have more ability than it seems with a quick glance. (3) AMERICAN LOU hasn’t done anything “wrong” in his two qualifiers but didn’t look quite as sharp as the top trio. I couldn’t fault you for taking a chance with him.

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

(2) SPIRIT OF TRUTH dropped to this class last week and just missed. I’m not excited to bet him but he does seem very logical. (5) THE OPENER exits the amateur ranks and adds a catch driver. (8) DISCO DANCER has a win and a third in his last two tries in this condition; outside post hurts.