Meadowlands: Handicapping the stakes-filled Meadowlands Pace card
The 13-race card on Meadowlands Pace night (July 13) at The Meadowlands features 10 stakes races and a trio of guaranteed wagers ($50K Pick 5 and Pick 4 in races 1 and 10 + a $100K Pick 4 in race 6). We’ve asked our handicappers to provide selections for each of the stakes races plus provide analysis for the Meadowlands Pace and their best bet. All of that information appears below.
We truly have you covered for the monster Meadowlands Pace card with FREE Harness Eye past performances, a 10% rebate on WIN wagers, and live video of the entire card and real-time insights on Harness Live. All of this is located here.
Finally, my full-card analysis can be read here and Jay Bergman joins me to discuss the Meadowlands Pace and Haughton Memorial in this video.
Happy Handicapping!
Race 2 - $124,000 Del Miller Memorial
| Garnet Barnsdale | (5) EVIDENT BEAUTY |
| Jay Bergman | (5) EVIDENT BEAUTY |
| Jeremey Day | (5) EVIDENT BEAUTY |
| Derick Giwner | (2) BEAUTIFUL SIN |
| Greg Reinhart | (4) CLOUD NINE FASHION |
| Matt Rose | (5) EVIDENT BEAUTY |
| Darin Zoccali | (5) EVIDENT BEAUTY |
Race 3 - $153,000 Stanley Dancer Memorial
Jeremey Day
(4) GREEN MANALISHI S was sharp in his last start at Pocono trotting a huge back half against a tougher bunch. He draws into the easiest division and should be ready for a big effort third start back off the layoff.
| Garnet Barnsdale | (3) GERRY |
| Jay Bergman | (4) GREEN MANALISHI S |
| Derick Giwner | (4) GREEN MANALISHI S |
| Greg Reinhart | (7) OSTERC |
| Matt Rose | (7) OSTERC |
| Darin Zoccali | (3) GERRY |
Race 4 - $40,000 Miss Versatility
| Garnet Barnsdale | (4) HANNELORE HANOVER |
| Jay Bergman | (3) DARLING MEARAS S |
| Jeremey Day | (5) TOP EXPECTATIONS |
| Derick Giwner | (7) PLUNGE BLUE CHIP |
| Greg Reinhart | (7) PLUNGE BLUE CHIP |
| Matt Rose | (4) HANNELORE HANOVER |
| Darin Zoccali | (3) DARLING MEARAS S |
Race 5 - $153,000 Stanley Dancer Memorial
| Garnet Barnsdale | (7) GREENSHOE |
| Jay Bergman | (7) GREENSHOE |
| Jeremey Day | (7) GREENSHOE |
| Derick Giwner | (7) GREENSHOE |
| Greg Reinhart | (7) GREENSHOE |
| Matt Rose | (7) GREENSHOE |
| Darin Zoccali | (3) PILOT DISCRETION |
Race 6 - $179,550 Golden Girls
| Garnet Barnsdale | (4) SHARTIN N |
| Jay Bergman | (10) CAVIART ALLY |
| Jeremey Day | (11) BETTOR JOY N |
| Derick Giwner | (3) KISSIN IN THE SAND |
| Greg Reinhart | (4) SHARTIN N |
| Matt Rose | (3) KISSIN IN THE SAND |
| Darin Zoccali | (11) BETTOR JOY N |
Race 7 - $450,000 Hambletonian Maturity
Greg Reinhart
The Hambletonian Maturity will be billed as a rematch between (4) ATLANTA and (11) SIX PACK, but I like (5) MANCHEGO to win as she draws a mid-pack post after a strong post 10 try last Saturday. She loses Lasix but I’m not worried.
| Garnet Barnsdale | (4) ATLANTA |
| Jay Bergman | (5) MANCHEGO |
| Jeremey Day | (4) ATLANTA |
| Derick Giwner | (4) ATLANTA |
| Matt Rose | (4) ATLANTA |
| Darin Zoccali | (6) CUSTOM CANTAB |
Race 8 - $682,650 Meadowlands Pace Final
Garnet Barnsdale
This edition of the Meadowlands Pace boils down to a three-horse race to me. (1) CAPTAIN CRUNCH seems to be a bit better right now than the other main contenders (4) BETTOR’S WISH and (9) WORKINONAMYSTERY and Scott Zeron drives the colt with great confidence. He’s my choice to win the Pace. (7) BEST IN SHOW raced tough last week and he may better this placing with the right trip.
Jay Bergman
(4) BETTOR’S WISH’s versatility has been the key to his success this year. The draw could put the favorite Captain Crunch in a more vulnerable spot defending position against outside leavers with Dunn better able to navigate from his mid-gate draw.
Jeremey Day
On a day where big upsets always happen, (7) BEST IN SHOW has the pedigree and capability to pace with this bunch. He gets Hall of Fame driver Brian Sears for a second straight race, who always seems to come up large in these spots. (1) CAPTAIN CRUNCH has looked invincible except for an early miscue in his NA Cup Elim. The pacer looks stout on paper but will have a huge target on his back. If Scott Zeron works out a trouble-free trip he will be tough to get by late. (4) BETTOR’S WISH has been almost perfect on the season besides a close loss in the final of the NA Cup and could be overlooked a bit in the wagering. His pilot Dexter Dunn has a magical season going and will be looking for the front end early. (3) CAPTAIN AHAB could be a sleeper in the race having needed his start last week in the elim. The pacer has flashed tremendous ability and will offer a monster price. The pacer was the driver’s choice for top connections.
Derick Giwner
I’m still torn whether I think (9) WORKIN ONA MYSTERY or (1) CAPTAIN CRUNCH is the best 3-year-old right now in 2019. When left with a tough decision it is best to take the better price and there is no doubt the former will be the greater value.
Greg Reinhart
(4) BETTOR’S WISH had a perfect qualifier, a perfect elim, and I think gets the trip from a better post than (1) CAPTAIN CRUNCH to end trainer Chris Ryder’s quest for his first Pace trophy.
Matt Rose
It’s been well documented that I’ve been a huge fan of (4) BETTOR’S WISH since his first start this year in an overnight event at Yonkers. I see no reason to jump off the bandwagon. (1) CAPTAIN CRUNCH was the other Pace elimination winner in a very safe 1:48 3/5 clocking and he’s been near-perfect as well. This looks like a great matchup brewing here. (7) BEST IN SHOW raced very willingly first-time with Brian Sears in the bike. Toscano trainee can add value underneath. I’ll try to squeeze one of the four Tony Alagna trainees into the number rounding out the Super.
Darin Zoccali
It’s hard to look at The Pace Final and come away with anything but the elimination winners. Both were brilliant and with WORKIN ONA MYSTERY drawing poorly and likely having to force the issue early, I think the advantage goes to the two favorites. I give both a pretty equal chance of winning and since (4) BETTOR’S WISH will likely offer the better price, I will make him my top pick.
Race 9 - $423,000 William Haughton Memorial
Garnet Barnsdale
I really like (6) MCWICKED in this spot for several reasons: he likely won’t be favored; his relentless, grinding style is perfect for a 1 1/8th mile race, and, his main rivals will likely get overbet off the 1:46 mile taken under perfect conditions last week.
| Jay Bergman | (6) MCWICKED |
| Jeremey Day | (4) ALWAYS A PRINCE |
| Derick Giwner | (10) THIS IS THE PLAN |
| Greg Reinhart | (6) MCWICKED |
| Matt Rose | (4) ALWAYS A PRINCE |
| Darin Zoccali | (2) DUPLICATED N |
Race 10 - $207,700 Mistletoe Shalee
Matt Rose
(2) WARRAWEE UBEAUT ended up with a very rugged trip in the Lynch Final as the odds-on choice when put in the unenviable position of having to attack the stubborn frontrunner. A successful brush for command after the early dust settles will make her tough to defeat.
Darin Zoccali
(7) ZERO TOLERANCE had to cut some strong fractions as the beaten favorite in her Lynch Elimination. Then, she caught a shuffle and her rally was too late. She is still very sharp and has enough speed off the gate to get a forward position and work out a favorable trip. The price should be decent as well.
| Garnet Barnsdale | (2) WARRAWEE UBEAUT |
| Jay Bergman | (3) TALL DRINK HANOVER |
| Jeremey Day | (8) STONEBRIDGE SOUL |
| Derick Giwner | (8) STONEBRIDGE SOUL |
| Greg Reinhart | (3) TALL DRINK HANOVER |
Race 11 - $126,500 Del Miller
Derick Giwner
(3) MILLIES POSSESION has done everything right in her career and proved how good she was last week taking plenty of air and still visiting the winner’s circle. She is this good and seems to be emerging as a legitimate Hambletonian Oaks player.
| Garnet Barnsdale | (3) MILLIES POSSESION |
| Jay Bergman | (3) MILLIES POSSESION |
| Jeremey Day | (3) MILLIES POSSESION |
| Greg Reinhart | (3) MILLIES POSSESION |
| Matt Rose | (2) PRINCESS DEO |
| Darin Zoccali | (1) SISTER’S PROMISE |