Meadowlands: Saturday 7/20 Analysis

CHAMPIONSHIP MEET STATS: 81 - 260 / $433.80 (-$86.20)
BEST BETS: 13 - 19 / $45.60 (+$7.60)
Race 1 - $25,000 Guaranteed Pick Five Pool
Race 8 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool
Best Bet: PERSONAL PARADISE (3rd race)
Spot Play: ODDS ON LAUDERDALE (10th race)
Race 1 – G-Notes – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5 starts - $25K GTD Pick 5
(3) SERIOUS MAJOR blew away an amateur field last time and seems to have found a cozy spot in this mini-series to advance to the final. (8) SPONDULICKS N has the early speed to make the top and at the very least get into the exotics. (7) SPIRIT OF TRUTH drops down but needs pace help to threaten.
Race 2 – G-Notes – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5 starts
(3) CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A finally showed some pace last time and this is about as soft a spot as he could hope for. Maybe the new barn has finally figured him out. (5) JUST N BERLANDER is by far the sharpest horse in the field and he is a lock to hit the board and capable of winning as well. (8) KIWI IDEAL N drops down in class and should be seriously considered in the Pick 5.
Race 3 – Tompkins Geers – 3YOF
(1) PERSONAL PARADISE has raced well in every starts this year except when he drew the far outside. With a bunch of question marks in the field, I think Ake will be aggressive tonight. (6) WHISPERING OAKS came up flat after missing a bunch of time; could be sharper this week. (2) PRINCESS DEO is a capable filly when on her game but she has dealt with breaking issues. (5) SONNET GRACE hasn’t really progressed from age 2 to 3 but this field has no standouts.
Race 4 – Mr Muscleman Final
(2) RICH AND MISERABLE has really proved himself in recent weeks and there is no reason he can’t continue his strong 2019 run. (4) CRUZADO DELA NOCHE gets a new driver this week and if he keeps this guy closer, watch out! (5) PINKMAN has the early speed to make the top and a win wouldn’t be a surprise. (1) JL CRUZE got back on track last time but I’m still playing against.
Race 5 – Tompkins Geers – 3YO C&G
I wasn’t crazy about the way (5) GREEN MANALISHI S looked when watching the Dancer live but had a change of heart upon watching the replay. He may not have been 100% but he held his ground well in the lane. Let’s give him one more shot this week. (4) SHEENA’S BOY has early speed and plenty of form; dangerous, at least underneath. (6) CANTAB FASHION makes his 2019 debut after displaying immense speed as a rookie. Is he up to this race? Can he be ready for the Hambo? (9) HUDSON RIVER raced well for second after seven weeks off and could show more here.
Race 6 – Non-winners $15,000 in last 5 starts
(1) BECKHAMS Z TAM and (9) DORSODURO HANOVER freefall in class out of the Haughton Memorial and one of them should awaken in a big way against overnight foes. (3) IDEAL FEELING got off to a slow start last week and couldn’t get involved; using underneath.
Race 7 – Tompkins Geers – 3YOF
(2) GOLDEN TRICKS came up with a big mile versus the potential favorite in the Hambletonian Oaks last time. Anything close to that performance this week should result in winner’s circle pictures. (7) BEAUTIFUL SIN didn’t progress as I expected last week but I’m not giving up on her yet. (5) FADE INTO YOU kept her act together with hobbles added and might be ready to show more now. (1) SPECIAL HONOR had no shot of closing into slow fractions last week when facing better foes.
Race 8 – Non-winners $10,000 in last 5 starts - $50K GTD Pick 4
(4) SWEET ROCK and (9) ANOTHER DAILY COPY finished within a couple of lengths of Lyons Steel in a fast mile last week and should find this company very much to their liking; edge to Sweet Rock on the inside draw. (5) MUSIC IS ART also comes out of that tough race but hasn’t exactly shined in his last two starts. (1) COUGAR HALL was too far back last time; exotics threat with a better trip.
Race 9 – Tompkins Geers – 3YO C&G
While (1) PILOT DISCRETION’s main goal is the Hambletonian in two weeks, anything close to a top effort here should result in a win. I’m expecting an early brush to the front after (4) SOUL STRONG and (6) MARSEILLE fire off the wings early. The former came up with a lifetime best mile last time and seems to be progressing nicely. The latter stole the Beal on June 29 and is certain to be involved. (7) GERRY has been consistent of late; using in tri/super.
Race 10 – Non-winners $6,500 in last 5 starts
(9) ODDS ON LAUDERDALE was stuck in an impossible spot last week when coming off a four month break in action. Four-year-old could prove very tough in this spot. (5) CITY HALL demolished a field that wasn’t in his class last week. With a top effort he can handle these. (3) BIG STRETCH MARK tends to do well when he gets class relief, but this field came up difficult. (2) SHATTERED GLASS raced very well last time but doesn’t seem up to the level of the top three.
Race 11 – G-Notes – Non-winners $3,500 in last 5 starts
(7) ROCKIN M plummets down the class ladder and really should take these to task. (2) ALWAYS A DIAMOND came up with a big mile last week. Can he do it again? (3) GOOD DAY MATE finished just behind #2 last time but does add David Miller to the equation. (1) ASTOR lured Ginsburg off #3.
Race 12 – 4-year-old Preferred
(1) AMERICAN HISTORY rallied nicely to be second when last seen in this class. It would be nice to see some early interest from him this time. (7) BACKSTREET SHADOW finished third behind two of the best older pacers in training right now; very dangerous. (3) LYONS STEEL is clearly sharp but facing a different caliber of horse tonight.
Race 13 – Trackmaster Rating 75.80 or less
(2) STEADY PULSE gets post relief and a top driver in the bike this week. Veteran has as good a chance as any in this weak field. (4) BUCKEYE IN CHARGE has been racing reasonably well and should be heading to the front. (3) BLUE STRIKE has been racing well of late and does get an interesting driver change. (7) I’M SID THE KID could be a player if closer to the action this week.