Meadowlands: Friday 8/2 Analysis

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 105 - 314 / $536.40 (-$91.60)
BEST BETS: 15 - 23 / $52.40 (+$6.40)
BEST BET: ODDS ON LAUDERDALE (9th)
SPOT PLAY: BACKSTREET LAWYER (10th)
Race 1 – GSY Amateur Final - **$25K GTD Pick 5**
If you are playing the Pick 5 tonight, good luck! The sequence starts off with a very difficult amateur race. The bulk of the early speed in this field seems to be on the inside of the gate and that should leave (2) MACHERATI in good position. Driver Monica Banca seems to get along perfectly with this gelding. (3) FOX VALLEY HERMIA will be close to the action with a chance to strike for a high percentage barn. (5) BECKY’S DREAMBOAT comes off a win over this surface while most of these haven’t travelled nearly that fast in a while. (9) VILLAGE JACKSON is capable over this track but the post hurts.
Race 2 – Muscle Hill Trot
(5) HUDSON RIVER put in a solid effort last time from a difficult post versus much tougher and raced very well in his previous start. This looks like the right spot. (4) NO DRAMA PLEASE got caught in a fast pace last week versus stakes foes and was stuck in post 10 previously. He should be able to play with this group. (1) UNION FORCES added Lasix last time but started from an impossible spot. He could step up here.
Race 3 – Hambletonian Amateur Drivers
(6) HALLINTHECLOUDS is a rare case of a 3-year-old filly facing mostly older boys. That said, she is dropping out of a stakes company for Team Svanstedt, which combined to win this race in 2017. (7) LANDONFITZ has good early speed and seems to be down in class. (2) SUPERIORCOURT comes into town sharp after facing the best at Monticello. (5) WYGANT PRINCE is a classy old guy coming of a win.
Race 4 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5 starts
(6) LUCKY SHEILA returns to The Meadowlands, which hopefully will cure her recent form issues. When last here she was facing the likes of Hambletonian contender Don’t Let’em. (8) MANOFMANYIMAGES should blow this field away if he can stay trotting. (2) CARDINALE is certainly sharp and tends to hit the board; contender. (1) DAWN OF GLORY has won two of three but faces more seasoned foes now.
Race 5 – Hambletonian Amateur Drivers
(2) STARSABOVEALLERAGE rolls into town with good form for a solid barn. Eight-year-old knows his way to the winner’s circle here. (1) SHADY MCCOY gets post relief and has a bit of class. (3) LAZARUS has been stuck with impossible posts at Yonkers. Maybe the switch to the big track will make a difference. (7) MAJESTIC FIRE is a closing threat if the others get reckless vying for the lead.
Race 6 – Muscle Hill Trot
(4) CHIN CHIN HALL finished up very willingly in an extremely fast mile last week with Lasix added. That’s possibly why he is not in the Hambletonian. This field came up tough but he seems ready to win. (2) GUARANTEED is another who looked like a Hambo prospect but I guess the new barn didn’t feel they had enough time to get him ready. He’s clearly a factor. (3) HATIKVAH steps up in fine form and doesn’t seem to mind a bad trip.
Race 7 – Trackmaster Rating 75 or less
(3) MAKE IT BIG gets post relief and reunites with Callahan. He should have a big shot. (1) TAILGUNNER HANOVER comes off a win in this condition and now adds Tetrick. He’ll be 3-5 and probably isn’t worth it. (7) MIDNIGHT DYLAN N has raced reasonably well since moving into this barn. (2) BUCKEYE IN CHARGE should have a good shot at hitting the board if his driver sits and waits for the lane.
Race 8 – Continental Victory Trot - **$50K GTD Pick 4**
(1) PERSONAL PARADISE missed making the Hambletonian Oaks and now reunites with Dexter Dunn; good spot. (4) SPECIAL HONOR has disappointed after a strong 2YO campaign. She should do well here. (2) JEZZYS LEGACY gets a nice driver change to Gingras.
Race 9 – G-Notes Final
(2) ODDS ON LAUDERDALE blew away his foes last week from post 10 and stands out against this group. (7) MACHIAVELLI was used hard last time and held well. Assuming he is going to the front again, he should be in with a chance. (10) BARIMAH A has tons of class but a bad post; chance of Tetrick can work some magic. (6) DRAGONOLOGY finished fast last time; trip player.
Race 10 – Non-winners $6,500 in last 5 starts
(10) BACKSTREET LAWYER is down in class this week where he typically awakens in a big way. The post shouldn’t be an issue. (1) SHATTERED GLASS is more than sharp enough to compete with these, but if the top one brings his best, he’s playing for second. (8) COUGAR HALL drops and tries a new driver.; maybe.
Race 11 – Trackmaster Rating 80.35 or less
(4) SERIOUS MAJOR has the early speed and while moving up in class, probably faces an easier overall group; weak call. (5) GOTTA GO B B drops in class for the same top barn as #4. (1) ALWAYS A DIAMOND raced hard early and broke last time; clearly a player here. (9) GOOSE MOUNTAIN is down in class and is another with speed.
Race 12 – Continental Victory Trot
(4) THE ICE DUTCHESS was stuck in an impossible spot in the Hambletonian Oaks elim and should get a small consolation tonight. (1) GOLDEN TRICKS was also stuck with an outside post in the Oaks; upset opportunity. (6) STARITA is a nice filly but probably a step slower than the top pair.
Race 13 – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5 starts
When trainer Eric Abbatiello brings one in that has been racing out of town it is usually because it’s a good spot. (5) JK PARLAY has won here already this year and finds a soft spot. (7) SPICEBOMB typically wakes up when he reaches this class. (6) IDEAL CHILL showed some life last time. (3) NORTHERN VIRGIN arrives for Surick. He can get into the number.